US midterms 2026: What motivated voters? Poll points to economy, democracy, Trump backlash

The economy, the state of American democracy and opposition to President Donald Trump were among the biggest factors shaping voter decisions in the 2026 US midterm elections, according to an extensive Associated Press (AP) Voter Poll.

Concerns over the cost of living and government corruption also featured prominently, while voters expressed dissatisfaction with both Trump and Congress.

Also Read: US midterms deliver historic firsts as Black, Native American, LGBTQ+ and Latina leaders break political barriers

The survey of around 80,000 voters across all states found that economic concerns and the state of democracy dominated the electoral agenda.

It also pointed to widespread support for a stronger congressional check on presidential power, with nearly seven in 10 voters saying Congress was not doing enough to hold the president accountable.

Economy and democracy dominate voter concerns

Around four in 10 voters identified the economy as the most important issue facing the country, while nearly three in 10 cited the state of democracy.

The cost of living and government corruption were also major concerns, with around half of voters describing each as crucial to their congressional vote.

Concerns over immigration and healthcare ranked lower, with roughly one in 10 identifying either as the country's biggest issue.

Voters particularly concerned about democracy backed Democratic House candidates by a margin of around eight in 10 to two in 10, the AP poll showed.

Opposition to Trump shapes voting decisions

Despite Trump not being on the ballot, his presidency influenced a significant share of voters. Around four in 10 said they voted for Congress to express opposition to the president, while fewer than two in 10 wanted to signal support for him.

Around six in 10 voters disapproved of Trump's handling of the presidency. A similar proportion believed he prioritised his personal interests over those of the country.

Young voters were particularly likely to use their ballots to register opposition to Trump.

Also Read: Trump approval plunges to 38% as polls begin to close, CBS exit poll shows

Young and Hispanic voters shift towards Democrats

The poll also indicated that Republicans lost ground among two voter groups that had supported Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

Around seven in 10 voters under 30 backed Democratic candidates in their local House races, compared with three in 10 who supported Republicans. The youngest voters had been roughly split between Trump and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in 2024.

Among Hispanic voters, around six in 10 supported Democratic House candidates, while only about a third backed Republicans. Around seven in 10 Hispanic voters also said Trump's policies had worsened economic conditions.

However, voters under 30 accounted for only about one in 10 participants in the midterm elections.

Voters want Congress to check presidential power

The survey found strong support for a more assertive Congress in overseeing the presidency. Nearly seven in 10 voters said lawmakers were doing too little to provide checks and balances on presidential power.

The sentiment extended beyond Democrats, with most independent voters and around four in 10 Republicans also saying Congress needed to do more.

Dissatisfaction with the legislature was widespread, with nearly three-quarters of voters disapproving of Congress's performance.

Democrats hold edge on key issues, but parties remain unpopular

Democrats had an advantage over Republicans on several major issues, including the economy, government corruption, healthcare and foreign policy. Republicans held a narrow edge on immigration, while voters were divided on taxes and artificial intelligence.

However, this advantage did not translate into a significant gap in overall party popularity. Just under half of voters viewed the Democratic Party favourably, compared with around four in 10 who viewed Republicans positively.