Ahead of the midterms, most voters cite the economy and cost of living as top issues and favor political change

Key Points:

• Economic concerns dominate voter priorities ahead of the 2026 midterms, with 85% citing the economy and 84% the cost of living as top issues, alongside significant attention to health care (69%) and the war with Iran (64%).
• A strong desire for change prevails, with 80% of voters calling for substantial reform or complete upheaval in government, particularly among Democrats and independents, while Republicans also seek change but favor less drastic measures.
• Pessimism about U.S. politics is widespread, with two-thirds of voters feeling negative about the political climate and half expressing pessimism about the future of both major parties and democracy itself.
• Nearly half of voters prefer Democratic control of Congress, with 47% favoring Democrats in the House and 46% in the Senate, compared to 38% supporting continued Republican control; independents show higher levels of indecision.
• President Trump’s overall job approval stands at 36%, with strong disapproval on economic and foreign policy issues, though crime remains a relative strength with 45% approval; favorable opinions of Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and the Republican Party hover around one-third, while 40% view the Democratic Party favorably.