Five things you need to know for the 2026 midterms | America, Actually

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With the 2026 midterms fast approaching, we’re asking a simple question: What actually matters to voters right now? In this midterm study guide, Vox’s Astead Herndon breaks down five forces shaping the election cycle. He examines the shifting foundations of both major parties—from Donald Trump’s rising unpopularity over inflation and foreign policy, to the ideological civil war within the Democratic base. Plus, Astead answers your questions about the growing influence of AIPAC funding, why "affordability" has become the central message for both parties, how data centers are triggering mass voter anxiety over the future of AI, and what Trump’s executive orders mean for the future of mail-in voting and election integrity. America, Actually publishes video episodes every Saturday tackling key issues in politics, culture, and the economy. Subscribe to Vox’s YouTube channel to get them. Listen to episodes of America, Actually on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite app. If you enjoy our reporting and want to learn more, sign up for Astead’s weekly newsletter, Midterms, Actually. Just go to www.vox.com/midtermsactually to learn more, and get in-depth analysis about this year’s election right to your inbox. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H