Voters across the United States have identified the economy and the state of democracy as their paramount concerns heading into the midterm elections, according to comprehensive polling data released on election day. According to BBC News, the Voter Poll—a major survey conducted by polling company SSRS on behalf of a consortium of news organisations—gathered responses from tens of thousands of American voters to understand their motivations and priorities at the ballot box.
The survey captures a representative sample of the American electorate through exit polling of both early voters and those casting ballots on election day, with results broken down by age, gender, education and other demographic categories. As with all surveys, these figures represent estimates and are subject to revision as additional data becomes available.
What economic concerns dominate voter priorities?
Economic conditions emerged as the leading issue for voters, with 39% of the more than 79,000 people surveyed naming it their top concern. The state of democracy followed closely behind at 32%, while immigration ranked third at 14%. Healthcare, foreign policy and crime each received lower shares of responses as voters' primary issue.
Sentiment about the national economy remains decidedly negative. Three-quarters of respondents (75%) characterised the economy as being in a "not so good or poor" condition, while only 25% described it as "excellent or good". When asked about their personal financial circumstances, 44% reported being in a worse position than two years prior, 38% said their situation remained unchanged, and 18% indicated improvement.
The economic anxiety reflected in these figures aligns with broader trends documented in earlier reporting. Trump faces the same economic paradox that plagued Biden, with strong growth and low unemployment masking public anxiety about persistently high prices. Additionally, the US jobs market stalled in September with just 29,000 positions added, a sharp decline from August's 133,000, as the labour market cooled ahead of the midterm elections.
How do voters assess Trump's economic record?
Nearly two-thirds of voters surveyed (65%) attributed worsening economic conditions to policies implemented by President Donald Trump. By contrast, 28% credited his policies with improving economic conditions, while 8% said the president had no measurable impact on the economy.
When asked whether their vote was motivated by opposition to Trump, 43% of respondents said expressing opposition was a factor in their decision. A similar proportion (41%) indicated that Trump was not a consideration in their voting choice, while only 16% said expressing support for the president influenced their ballot.
What role has inflation played in voter sentiment?
Inflation has inflicted widespread hardship across American households. Nearly eight in ten voters (79%) reported that rising prices have caused them and their families either severe or moderate hardship over the past year, with only 21% saying inflation caused them no hardship. According to preliminary House-voter polling, roughly 8 in 10 said inflation had caused them hardship, with about 2 in 10 describing it as severe.
Cost-of-living pressures weigh heavily on voters' minds. A majority (59%) expressed being "very concerned" about petrol and diesel prices, while a similar proportion (58%) gave the same response regarding food and grocery costs. About 6 in 10 House voters were very concerned about fuel, healthcare and grocery costs, and roughly half said cost of living was crucial to their vote.
When attributing responsibility for elevated prices, 62% of respondents believed higher than usual prices resulted primarily from Trump's policies, while 38% attributed them to factors beyond his control. The broader economic context includes concerning structural trends: US national debt surpassed $40 trillion on 19 August 2026, doubling since 2016, with rising interest rates threatening higher mortgage, auto and credit card rates for households.
How satisfied are voters with the direction of the country?
Discontent with the nation's trajectory is widespread. Almost four in ten respondents (38%) reported feeling angry about the way things are progressing in the United States, with a further 37% expressing dissatisfaction. Only 18% said they felt satisfied with the country's direction, and just 7% reported feeling enthusiastic. Taken together, a clear majority of those surveyed indicated unhappiness with the current state of the nation.
Government corruption emerged as a significant electoral concern, with 90% of voters saying that corruption was a crucial or major factor influencing their voting decision.
What is the voter perspective on foreign policy?
The conflict with Iran has become a notable electoral issue. Approximately six in ten voters (62%) stated that the United States made the wrong decision to take military action against Iran, while four in ten (38%) believed the action was justified. The conflict's political salience is evident in responses about its electoral importance: three-quarters of voters (74%) said the Iran situation was a crucial or major factor in their congressional vote, while a quarter (26%) characterised it as a minor factor or not a factor at all.
The Iran conflict has compounded economic pressures on voters. The US economy showed 2% growth in Q1 2026 despite the Iran conflict's energy shock, yet rising costs and inflation continue to challenge voters ahead of the midterms.
What emerging issues are shaping voter preferences?
Beyond traditional economic and foreign policy concerns, artificial intelligence and data centres have emerged as campaign issues in specific regions. According to preliminary polling, around 6 in 10 Senate voters in Ohio and Nebraska said AI would do more to hurt than help society. In contrast, in New Hampshire, about 8 in 10 voters who considered data centres crucial said AI would do more to help than hurt, suggesting regional variation in attitudes toward technological advancement.
What happens next?
Polling locations remained open in Alaska and across the US West Coast at the time these reports were compiled, meaning final election results were still incomplete. South Carolina reported record midterm turnout, with 1,797,335 ballots cast by 4:30 p.m. ET—the highest number for a midterm election in the state in 30 years. Preliminary results have already projected five Democrats to win Senate races, including Juliana Stratton in Illinois and incumbents Chris Coons, Cory Booker, Ed Markey and Jack Reed, with Jon Ossoff and Mark Warner also projected to win reelection.
Key Facts
- The economy (39%) and state of democracy (32%) were named as top voter concerns in a survey of more than 79,000 Americans
- 75% of voters characterised the national economy as "not so good or poor," while 79% reported inflation causing them severe or moderate hardship
- 65% of voters attributed worsening economic conditions to Trump's policies, while 62% believed higher prices resulted from his policies
- 90% of voters said government corruption was a crucial or major factor in their voting decision
- 62% of voters believed the US made the wrong decision to take military action against Iran
