Voters across the United States showed strong support for young children in the 2026 midterm elections. A record number of communities voted on measures to set aside money for kids, according to the Children’s Funding Project, a national nonprofit.
How the Measures Did
This election had 12 ballot measures that included dedicated funding for early childhood programs, such as child care and early learning.
As of November 6, here is where the results stood, based on unofficial counts from Ballotpedia and the Children’s Funding Project:
- 9 measures passed
- 1 measure failed
- 2 measures were still too close to call
A Possible New Record
If the current results hold after all ballots are counted, 2026 will narrowly beat 2020 as the year with the most successful ballot measures creating new early childhood funding in US history.
The Children’s Funding Project said the results did better than many expected. Before the election, some people questioned whether voters saw child care as an urgent enough issue.
Why This Matters for Families
More communities are using ballot measures to pay for child care and early education. For parents, this could mean more affordable child care options and more early learning programs in the coming years.
Final Results Still Pending
These results are unofficial. Final numbers will be confirmed once local election offices finish counting and certifying votes.
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