Vice President JD Vance stated on September 14, 2026, that the Trump administration’s agenda is at stake in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, urging Republicans to increase voter turnout to levels seen during presidential elections. In an interview aboard Air Force Two, Vance noted that voters in President Trump’s coalition have not participated in off-year elections to the necessary extent, which he aims to change to maintain Republican control in Congress. "I really think it’s important to kind of get people to think that … in many ways the president is on the ballot. Yes, I’m on the ballot too, but the entire agenda is on the ballot," Vance said. He expressed hope that this perspective would generate enthusiasm among voters.
Vance acknowledged the challenges Republicans face, including a generic congressional ballot that currently favors Democrats by over eight percentage points, similar to the advantage Democrats had in the 2018 midterms. According to Cygnal data and insights pollster Brent Buchanan, there are two distinct turnout realities within the Republican coalition: Trump Republicans remain highly engaged, while traditional conservatives are significantly less likely to express excitement about voting.
Buchanan emphasized that Republicans need to articulate their future plans to attract these voters, stating, "They do not need another recap rally of what has already happened. They need to hear what the party will do next to make life more affordable, more stable, and more workable for their families."
In an effort to boost excitement, Trump recently hosted a GOP midterm convention in Dallas and initiated a mid-decade redistricting push that could potentially add about 11 seats for the GOP. Historical data shows that midterm elections typically see lower turnout compared to presidential elections, with 64.3% of eligible voters participating in the 2024 presidential election versus 46.1% in the 2022 midterms.
Trump does not require all 2024 voters to maintain control of the House and Senate, but projections indicate that increasing turnout by 2-4 percentage points in contested elections could secure Republican majorities. A national GOP strategist expressed optimism about achieving this turnout target.
During the convention, Trump encouraged voters to "pretend" he is on the ballot this year. When asked about his future political ambitions, Vance deflected, highlighting the excitement from a diverse group of new voters within the MAGA base, while noting that these voters have yet to show up for Republicans in the same way they do for Trump. Vance also criticized Democrats, stating, "They’re the party of hatred. They’re the party that despises America and the people who built it." Political analyst Henry Olsen remarked that while turning out Republicans is essential, it may not be sufficient for electoral success.