AP Voter Poll: The economy and the state of democracy are voters' top issues

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Voters overwhelmingly feel frustrated with the way things are going in the U.S. today, according to The AP Voter Pollwhich points to a midterm electorate that is deeply unhappy with the country’s direction and pessimistic about the future.

About three-quarters of voters say they feel “angry” or “dissatisfied” with the country’s current trajectory. Only about one-quarter feel “satisfied” or “enthusiastic.”

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Dissatisfaction was particularly high in blue states like California and Massachusetts, but even in deep-red states, a majority of voters were at least “dissatisfied.”

Voters are also displeased with the condition of the economy, with roughly three-quarters saying it is “not so good” or “poor.” That’s in line with what U.S. adults have said in recent months in AP-NORC polling.

The economy and the state of democracy are voters’ top issues

Voters say the economy and the state of democracy are the top issues facing the country, with high costs and government corruption weighing heavily on many Americans’ minds as they cast a ballot in Tuesday’s midterm elections.

About 4 in 10 U.S. voters nationally say the economy is the most important issue facing the country, as most express concern about gas prices and the cost of groceries. About 3 in 10 say the state of democracy is the top issue. Only about 1 in 10 say the same about immigration or health care, and few name foreign policy or crime.

Roughly half of U.S. voters say government corruption and the cost of living are “crucial” to their vote for Congress, much higher than the share who say that about immigration enforcement policies, the war in Iran or AI data centers.

Most voters believe Trump’s policies have harmed the U.S. economy

Relatively few voters have positive things to say about Trump’s economic leadership.

About two-thirds of U.S. midterm voters say Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions in the U.S., while only about 3 in 10 say they’ve improved things, The AP Voter Poll found. Similarly, about two-thirds of voters said Trump’s tariff policies have hurt the national economy.

Views of Trump’s priorities more broadly — and his capabilities as a leader — are also mostly negative. More than half of voters say Trump is not a strong leader, does not fight for people like them, does not have the right priorities and does not have the mental capability to serve effectively as president.

About 6 in 10 voters said Trump places a higher priority on his own personal interests than the country’s interests, while about 4 in 10 said he puts more weight on the country’s interests.

Voters express severe concerns about inflation

About 8 in 10 voters say inflation has caused a “severe” or “moderate” financial hardship on their households, according to The AP Voter Poll.

The drag caused by prices rising faster than wages over the past year has made it harder for many voters to afford basic essentials such as gasoline, groceries and their utilities.

The persistent concern is a carryover from the 2024 presidential election when voters specifically tasked Trump to solve the problem, but inflation is now higher than it was when he returned to the White House.

More than 8 in 10 voters say they are “very” or “somewhat” concerned about the cost of gas, groceries, utilities and healthcare.

Capitalism viewed more positively than socialism

The AP Voter Poll found that more than half of voters strongly or somewhat favor the free market principles of capitalism.

Only about 3 in 10 feel similarly positive about socialism, in which the government plays a greater role in economic activity.

Trump and other Republicans campaigned on the idea that many Democratic candidates with their plans for universal healthcare were socialist. Democrats countered that the Trump administration had taken ownership stakes in dozens of private companies.