AP-NORC Poll Finds Voters Want Major Change as Trump Faces Economic Discontent/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ A new AP-NORC poll finds widespread demand for political change as voters express frustration with President Donald Trump’s economic and foreign policies. Democrats hold an advantage in voting enthusiasm and preferences for congressional control, with affordability dominating voters’ priorities. However, dissatisfaction with Republicans has not translated into overwhelming confidence in the Democratic Party.
Quick Look
- Demand for change: About half of voters want substantial change, while roughly 3 in 10 want complete upheaval.
- Democratic enthusiasm: About three-quarters of Democratic voters call voting extremely important, compared with roughly 6 in 10 Republicans.
- Congressional preference: About half favor Democratic control of each chamber, compared with roughly 4 in 10 favoring Republicans.
- Top concerns: About 8 in 10 cite the economy or cost of living among their leading election issues.
- Trump’s economic ratings: About 8 in 10 disapprove of his handling of living costs.
- Democratic limitations: About half of voters view the Democratic Party unfavorably.
Deep Look
AP-NORC Poll Signals Difficult Midterm Environment for Republicans
WASHINGTON — Voters overwhelmingly want a different direction in Washington, according to a new AP-NORC poll that finds President Donald Trump struggling on the issues Americans consider most important ahead of the midterm elections.
The survey, conducted less than four weeks before Election Day, shows Democratic voters more motivated to cast ballots than Republicans. More registered voters also prefer Democratic control of Congress, while Republicans face more negative public views.
Some Democratic advantages are modest. Together, however, the findings indicate a challenging environment for Republicans as they defend their congressional majorities amid the war in Iran and rising prices.
About 8 in 10 voters identify the economy or cost of living as a top election concern. Roughly two-thirds say the same about healthcare and the Iran war.
Immigration and crime, issues on which Trump has stronger support, rank lower among voters’ priorities.
“The world is going backwards. We can barely afford anything,” said Diana Walker, a 65-year-old Democrat from Decatur, Georgia. “Everybody’s down. I don’t care if you’re a Democrat or Republican, we’re all catching hell.”
Democratic Voters Show Greater Motivation to Cast Ballots
About two-thirds of registered voters say voting in the upcoming election is extremely important, while approximately 2 in 10 consider it very important.
The partisan difference is more pronounced: About three-quarters of Democrats describe voting as extremely important, compared with roughly 6 in 10 Republicans.
Ryan Longbrake, a 52-year-old Democrat working in technology marketing in Columbus, Ohio, said he was eager to vote and had taken steps to ensure his wife and two college-age daughters participated.
“I believe that there is change on the horizon and there is an excitement within our party,” he said.
Longbrake pointed to Democratic momentum in Ohio’s competitive races for governor and U.S. Senate.
Democrats are also directing resources toward Republican-leaning states such as Iowa and Kansas, where the political environment has created more promising opportunities for their candidates.
More Voters Prefer Democratic Control of Congress
After two years of Republican control, about half of registered voters say they would prefer Democrats to lead the House or Senate.
Roughly 4 in 10 prefer Republican control of each chamber, while 15% remain undecided.
Those national preferences suggest an opening for Democrats, although they do not establish the outcomes of individual congressional contests.
Demand for Change Extends Into the Republican Electorate
About half of voters want “substantial change” in how the country is governed. Another roughly 3 in 10 want “complete and total upheaval.”
Democrats and independents are considerably more likely than Republicans to favor a full overhaul.
Still, many Republican voters also want a different approach. Among them, 45% want substantial change and 13% want upheaval.
“I’m kind of tired of sending people there and nothing gets done,” said Krista Kohles, a 70-year-old Republican from near Davey, Nebraska. “Nothing’s changing.”
Trump Receives Weak Ratings on Affordability and the Economy
Only about one-third of registered voters view Trump favorablyand a similar proportion approve of his presidential performance.
His ratings are particularly weak on the economic concerns that dominate the campaign.
About 8 in 10 registered voters disapprove of his handling of the cost of livingconsistent with a September AP-NORC survey. Roughly three-quarters disapprove of his management of the economy overall.
Trump’s support is limited even within his own party on those issues.
Among Republican voters, 44% approve of his handling of living costs, while 54% approve of his economic leadership. Republican approval is substantially higher on issues such as crime.
The economy and affordability remain leading concerns across party lines, with large majorities of both Democrats and Republicans identifying them as important election issues.
Iran War and Tariffs Draw Republican Criticism
Trump also faces some dissatisfaction within his party over foreign policy.
Among Republican voters, 69% approve of his foreign policy performance as the Iran war enters its eighth month. Trump had previously suggested the conflict would last four or five weeks.
DonnaJean Weber, a 72-year-old Republican from Manistee, Michigan, said she would continue voting for Republican candidates but was unhappy with economic conditions.
“Everything’s going up,” she said, citing the war and other administration decisions. “I don’t agree with him fully on all of these tariffs, either. It’s making this country look bad.”
Vice President JD Vance, a potential contender in the next presidential election, also receives more negative than positive assessments.
About half of voters view Vance negatively, while roughly one-third have a favorable opinion.
Democrats Benefit Without Winning Broad Public Confidence
The poll suggests Republicans’ difficulties have not produced widespread enthusiasm for the Democratic Party.
About 4 in 10 voters view Democrats favorably, while approximately half have an unfavorable opinion.
Republicans receive roughly similar favorable ratings, but about 6 in 10 voters view the GOP negatively.
Within each party, supporters are comparably positive about their own side: About 8 in 10 Democratic and Republican voters view their respective parties favorably.
The larger difference appears among independents.
About two-thirds of independent voters view Republicans negativelycompared with roughly 4 in 10 who have an unfavorable view of Democrats.
Independent Voter Voices Distrust of Both Parties
Michael Russo, a 51-year-old Texas voter who is not registered with either party, described conditions under Republican control as “a nightmare.”
Asked whether Republicans should retain control of Congress, he said: “No, I want them in prison — several of them.”
But his opposition to Republicans did not amount to confidence in Democrats.
“I’m not confident they’re going to do anything if they get into power,” Russo said.
More on US News