Political and Civic Engagement Among LGBTQ+ Voters

Produced by the HRC Foundation

New research from Community Insights, a program of the HRC Foundation, shows that LGBTQ+ registered voters are highly likely to participate in the 2026 midterm elections and more likely than non-LGBTQ+ voters to engage in civic action beyond voting.

Summary

Against a backdrop of ongoing anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, policy attacks, and heightened uncertainty for LGBTQ+ people, new Community Insights research shows that LGBTQ+ registered voters are highly engaged in civic life and preparing to make their voices heard in 2026. Compared with non-LGBTQ+ voters, they report higher intent to vote, higher levels of civic participation beyond voting, and greater concern about barriers that could affect access to the ballot.

 

LGBTQ+ voters report very high intent to vote

The clearest finding in the survey is the strength of intended participation in the upcoming mid-term elections. Ninety-two percent of LGBTQ+ registered voters say they will definitely vote in the 2026 midterm elections, compared with 68% of non-LGBTQ+ registered voters.

This is not just a snapshot of enthusiasm due to the current political environment. LGBTQ+ respondents also report high recent participation and strong voting habits across the ballot: 91% say they voted in the 2022 midterms, and 82% say they typically vote in all or nearly all races. Taken together, these findings suggest a constituency that is highly motivated and consistently engaged in elections.

Engagement extends well beyond Election Day

The survey shows that LGBTQ+ civic participation is not limited to voting. In the past 12 months, LGBTQ+ voters were substantially more likely than non-LGBTQ+ voters to report contacting an elected official, donating to a political campaign or cause, signing a petition, and posting or sharing political content online.

These differences point to a broader pattern of civic engagement. A majority of LGBTQ+ respondents say they feel their voice can make a difference in today’s political climate, and the participation data suggest many are acting on that belief through multiple forms of public engagement between elections.

What is shaping LGBTQ+ voters’ 2026 priorities

The survey shows that LGBTQ+ voters are approaching the 2026 midterms through a broad set of concerns. The issues most often rated extremely or very important include government accountability and corruption, the functioning of democracy and elections, economic stability and the cost of living, LGBTQ+ rights and protections, and health care.

Taken together, these findings suggest that LGBTQ+ voters are responding not only to the attacks on LGBTQ+ people but also to wider pressures shaping daily life and democratic participation and should not be considered a single-issue constituency.

Feelings about the direction of the country

I’m frustrated and scared, but I’m hopeful that with action, the tides can turn.

Survey respondent from Pennsylvania

Respondents were asked to select up to three words from a list of 10, mixing both positive and negative descriptors, to describe how they feel about the direction of the country today. A majority of both LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ voters selected “Concerned” (55.9% and 55.2%, respectively), but the differences between the two groups were much sharper on other words. LGBTQ+ voters were about twice as likely as non-LGBTQ+ voters to select “Angry” (60.8% vs. 30.4%) and “Exhausted” (52.5% vs. 27.0%), and were also much less likely to say they feel “Hopeful” (13.2% vs. 32.4%).

High concerns about voting access

While LGBTQ+ voters are highly motivated to participate in the upcoming election, the survey also shows heightened concern about barriers to in-person voting. Compared with non-LGBTQ+ voters, LGBTQ+ respondents were more likely to say they are concerned about voter ID requirements, changes to polling locations or procedures, being questioned about eligibility, harassment or intimidation at polling places, and disruptions or conflicts near polling places.

Despite these concerns, LGBTQ+ people are not retreating from political and civic engagement. LGBTQ+ people have long been deeply engaged in civic and political participation, and this survey suggests that pattern is continuing rather than fading: most LGBTQ+ respondents say their engagement is either about the same as it was a few years ago or even higher, and large majorities report recent and habitual voting. The survey captures a community whose strong civic commitment persists even as concern about whether voting will be straightforward, fair, and accessible has intensified.

Conclusion

Taken together, these findings paint a consistent picture: LGBTQ+ voters are highly likely to vote, active in civic life beyond elections, and deeply attentive to the stakes of the 2026 midterms and the conditions under which participation occurs.

Methodology

Data come from the Community Insights LGBTQ+ Political and Civic Engagement (PACE) Survey of U.S. registered voters, including 1,733 LGBTQ+ respondents from the Community Insights Panel and 1,238 non-LGBTQ+ respondents from a Qualtrics U.S. general population panel of U.S. registered voters, fielded in March 2026. See this methodology and toplines document for additional details.

The Human Rights Campaign reports on news, events and resources of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation that are of interest to the general public and further our common mission to support the LGBTQ+ community.
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