Emory experts answer questions about the impact of midterms
October 21, 2026
Photo from Getty Images, spxChrome.
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, four of Emory’s political experts share their thoughts and personal opinions on several important questions.
Their answers apply to college students as well as any voters expecting to cast a ballot. Here’s what they said.
Alan Abramowitz, professor emeritus
Question: Young voters often hear that midterm elections are just as important as presidential elections. What could actually change after the 2026 midterms that college students would notice in their everyday lives?
Abramowitz: The results of this election will affect all our lives and, especially, the lives of younger people. The two parties offer dramatically different approaches to major issues including healthcare, reproductive rights, taxation, voting rights and foreign policy including the dangerous and unnecessary war with Iran, relations with U.S. allies and trade. For younger people, opportunities for financial support for higher education are at risk with continued unified Republican control of the federal government. Last, but not least, support for science and scientific research has been decimated under the Trump Administration and its anti-science appointees, especially Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Any student contemplating graduate study or a career in science or healthcare should be very concerned about the threats to science and scientific research posed by Trump and his political allies.
Zachary Peskowitz, Masse-Martin NEH Professor of Political Science
Question: Many young voters say neither political party fully represents them. Why is it so difficult for a third party or independent candidate to become a serious alternative in American politics?
Peskowitz: The U.S. electoral system is a winner-take-all system where whichever party wins a plurality of votes wins House and Senate seats. This creates powerful forces toward a two-party system and it is extremely difficult to build a viable challenger to the Democratic or Republican parties. The parties do change their issue positions and priorities over time in response to electoral performance and the issue positions of the public, but the process can be slow.
Nichole Phillips, associate professor in the practice of religion and society, Candler School of Theology
Question: Black churches have historically played an important role in civic engagement and voting. Does the Black church still have the same political influence with younger Black voters, or is that relationship changing?
Phillips: Black churches are experiencing trends like those affecting many mainline white American churches, particularly the declining participation of Millennials and Generation Z. As an Atlantic article for which I was interviewed concluded two years ago, Democrats can no longer assume support from Black voters, and Black churches can no longer take for granted their central role in civic engagement and voter mobilization. Younger Black Americans are increasingly finding alternative spaces beyond Black churches in which to organize and engage in civic life. This development raises the question of which locales and organizations will be comparable to the Black church in promoting political engagement and civic participation in the future. Yet, regardless of whether they are religiously affiliated, disaffiliated or unaffiliated, many younger Black Americans continue to view religion as relevant and important to social and racial justice efforts, according to research from the Pew Research Center.
How should we interpret these seemingly contrasting patterns of behavior and belief? One explanation may be the nation’s increasingly polarized social and political climate, which has reinforced for many young Black Americans the enduring significance of the Black church tradition as a site of socio-political engagement. At the same time, it is important not to overlook the efforts of Black churches to attract, empower and mobilize younger generations. Through my own affiliation with Black churches, I have observed these efforts firsthand during this and more recent election seasons.
For example, while sitting in the fellowship hall of a local AME church recently, I watched a 14-minute “Get Out the Vote” video message from Georgia presiding prelate, Bishop Mitchell. In his remarks, he encouraged all members, from the youngest to the oldest, to participate in canvassing efforts and voter mobilization activities. I have observed similar initiatives among other Methodist, Baptist and nondenominational Black churches. Congregations such as New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Hillside International Truth Center have hosted political candidates through their women’s ministries and entrusted the leadership of election forums and civic engagement discussions to their young adult ministries. These efforts demonstrate that Black churches are not merely encouraging younger adults to vote; they are increasingly empowering them to shape and lead the mobilization process itself.
Edward Queen, associate teaching professor, Emory Center for Ethics
Question: Politics increasingly asks voters to decide not only which policies they support, but what behavior they are willing to tolerate from political leaders. How should voters think about character, ethics and policy when those things come into conflict?
Queen: This is a most important question and one that deserves careful reflection. While tempting to disregard issues of character and ethics when confronted with a candidate whose policies align strongly with one’s own, this position needs review. This is shortsighted. Democracy and democratic processes both depend on a fundamental trust in the system. If folks are convinced that the system is gamed, that individuals get access and benefits through corruption, then they too are incentivized to game the system. We must accept that “clean government” is not a partisan issue. All of us benefit when politicians and the political system are as free as possible from corruption and questionable, if not illegal behavior.
Voter resources for the Emory community
Early voting is already underway in Georgia and many other states, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
- Check out the Emory Votes Initiative website and these resources as you prepare to cast your ballot.
- Learn about what's on the ballot, voting times and locations, and more in this one-page collection of resources compiled by Emory Votes Initiative.
Media Contact
- Brooke Huger Pass
- Emory University media relations
- brooke.huger@emory.edu
