Democratic Voters More Engaged in Midterms as Americans Are in a Sour Mood | Pew Research Center (https://challenges.cloudflare.com/)  (https://cdn.parsely.com/)  (https://www.googletagmanager.com/)  (Pew Research Center » Feed) (https://www.pewresearch.org/feed/)  (Pew Research Center » Comments Feed) (https://www.pewresearch.org/comments/feed/)                        (oEmbed (JSON)) (https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pewresearch.org%2Fpolitics%2F2026%2F10%2F08%2Fwith-americans-in-a-sour-mood-democratic-voters-are-more-engaged-in-midterms%2F)  (oEmbed (XML)) (https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pewresearch.org%2Fpolitics%2F2026%2F10%2F08%2Fwith-americans-in-a-sour-mood-democratic-voters-are-more-engaged-in-midterms%2F&format=xml)  (../../../../../wp-content/mu-plugins/vip-integrations/gutenberg-0.2-20260914/build/styles/block-library/navigation/style.min.css@m=1791302240g.css)  (../../../../../wp-content/plugins/prc-block-library/build/core-group/style-index.css@m=1791518762g.css)  (../../../../../_static/index.html@%253F-eJyVzDEOwjAMQNELYawgQWFAnCVxrBLVdaLYFc3t6czG8oc%252FPPw0oKrO6thkm4satk6QpNICUlKPfWDaimSk2hneHHPRGc2HMBTNvJ%252FJ7IR%252FQB73qnUdxzY%252Fossv91qfYXqEa7hPt8sXDBc8nA==.css)  (../../../../../_static/index.html@%253F-eJyNzDEOwjAMQNELEawgQWFAnCVxrMjCdSInofT2ILp1Yvnbf7BUh0U7aYcqI7M2qIYuSsGnE44WbIVE1QhDpwRxsCTIxun3WREhg9ZXIcea6H3E1g7wF7tZGl6cQ+eibqYcvtGxBx%252Fz3U83f%252FbX6XL6AEuPQuM=.css)  (../../../../../wp-content/mu-plugins/vip-integrations/gutenberg-0.2-20260914/build/styles/block-library/social-links/style.min.css@m=1791302240g.css)  (../../../../../wp-content/plugins/prc-block-library/build/table-of-contents/style-index.css@m=1791518762g.css)  (../../../../../_static/index.html@%253F-eJyVzsEKwjAMxvEXsoYKOj2Iz9JmYRaztiQpurd3TObBg+gxH%252Fx%252FBO7VYclG2aByG1JWqIIucsGb4xQlyAQpI7eeFLTVWsQUYkvcg9rE5FLu6bFF1Q181SxEpjVdjj+B9Z2XgEXmdAzD7wxeg5hbcpI3k00K8zx8MJfx7LuT3%252Ftjd9g9AeqGb1M=.css)  (../../../../../wp-content/plugins/prc-block-library/build/promo/style-index.css@m=1791518762g.css)  (../../../../../wp-content/plugins/prc-block-library/build/story-item/style-index.css@m=1791518762g.css)  (../../../../../wp-content/plugins/prc-privacy-consent/build/consent-banner/style-index.css@m=1791518762g.css)  (../../../../../_static/index.html@%253F-eJx9j0sOwjAMRC9E6qZASxcIrpK4UWSRn%252FIBensCqKKwYDsavzeGW2DoXVYugy0smKLJJbhSYFRTHUUmXwNdakWqqFnbdKxru74d+Q5kITNByrNRCaTxeGGGZBRxBvTWetdYcg2mtIGVaLGEiOz7iByaMlVWELXxcq8dddOk7n95CSOFnD6kJXhjzrUDhM+Xfogne+TDyPf8MPTbB395Zrs=.css)  (../../../../../_static/index.html@%253F-eJyVzFEOgjAMANALWZuZCPpBOIsrDVmo7dJ1Crfn3z%252FfAR5+K5BpsAZW6WvRhtUJshhtICX7yw%252FMvciCZM6Qe4QptjiEoejC+5Vau+C%252FD9mH%252FbeZ31Man+meHuNwOwHwFzka.css)  (../../../../../_static/index.html@%253F-eJx1zUEKAjEMAMAPGcMKunoQ39KmcQl205Kk6P7eg54EPzCDzw7UNFgDex2LqGM3glwbPaBKtmQb5iG1IDVjiJQdPbbKIFr4tSf3Hf5RkgUUMaaQpihKdRT2D9SbB9w5xTAuIGta+Pv86Lf1Os2X6Tid59PhDRJMQQo=.css)  (../../../../../../use.typekit.net/tic0xoy.css@ver=2.0.css)  (../../../../../wp-content/themes/prc-design-system/build/style/style-index.css@m=1791518763g.css)  (../../../../../wp-content/themes/prc-design-system/build/feature-view-transitions-dark-mode/style-index.css@m=1791518763g.css)  (https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-json/)  (JSON) (https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-json/wp/v2/posts/693287)  (RSD) (https://www.pewresearch.org/xmlrpc.php?rsd)   (index.html)  (https://www.pewresearch.org/?p=693287)   (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/with-americans-in-a-sour-mood-democratic-voters-are-more-engaged-in-midterms.md) (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/with-americans-in-a-sour-mood-democratic-voters-are-more-engaged-in-midterms/markdown)            (https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/mu-plugins/vip-integrations/gutenberg-0.2-20260914/build/modules/interactivity/index.min.js?ver=b0929e0bd08daccaa778) (https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/plugins/prc-firebase/build/module.min.js?ver=ee4fc997dcb259296c67) (../../../../../wp-content/images/symbol-alt.svg)  (../../../../../wp-content/images/symbol-alt.svg)  (../../../../../wp-content/images/symbol-alt.svg)      Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World (https://www.pewresearch.org/follow-us/) Newsletters   (https://www.pewresearch.org/press/) Press   (https://www.pewresearch.org/my-account) My Account   (https://pewresearchcenter.networkforgood.com/) Donate   (https://www.pewresearch.org/contactedbyus/) Contacted By Us?       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(https://www.pewresearch.org) (Return to Home)      ()           Search () ()        Read Our Research On: (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/internet-technology/emerging-technology/artificial-intelligence/) Artificial Intelligence   (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/politics-policy/leaders/donald-trump/) Donald Trump   (https://www.pewresearch.org/regions-countries/middle-east-north-africa/) Middle East              (https://www.pewresearch.org) Home   > (https://www.pewresearch.org/topics) Research Topics   > (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/politics-policy/) Politics & Policy   > (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/politics-policy/us-elections-voters/) U.S. Elections & Voters      Report    | October 8, 2026      With Americans in a Sour Mood, Democratic Voters Are More Engaged in Midterms Trump approval drops to 30%, as 44% of voters see their vote as ‘against’ him (https://www.pewresearch.org/?p=693287)     (index.html#)   X   (index.html#)   Facebook   (index.html#)   Threads   (index.html#)   LinkedIn   (index.html#)   WhatsApp    (https://%mail%)   Mail   (https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=https://www.pewresearch.org) Add Us On Google  By (https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/jocelyn-kiley/) Jocelyn Kiley ,  (https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/steven-shepard/) Steven Shepard ,  (https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/andrew-daniller/) Andrew Daniller and (https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/hannah-hartig/) Hannah Hartig  Table of Contents (index.html) With Americans in a Sour Mood, Democratic Voters Are More Engaged in Midterms   (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/midterm-vote-preferences-by-race-and-ethnicity-age-and-other-demographics/) Midterm Vote Preferences by Race and Ethnicity, Age and Other Demographics   (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/economy-ranks-as-top-issue-in-midterms-for-all-voters-but-partisans-differ-over-the-importance-of-other-issues/) Economy Ranks as Top Issue in Midterms for All Voters – But Partisans Differ Over the Importance of Other Issues   (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/trumps-approval-rating-drops-as-fewer-americans-are-confident-in-his-handling-of-the-economy-other-issues/) Trump’s Approval Rating Drops as Fewer Americans Are Confident in His Handling of the Economy, Other Issues   (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/midterms-2026-appendix-additional-charts/) Appendix: Additional Charts   (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/midterms-acknowledgments/) Acknowledgments   (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/midterms-2026-methodology/) Methodology      About this research This Pew Research Center analysis examines Americans’ engagement with the upcoming midterm elections, views of the state of the country, and attitudes about the political parties and Donald Trump’s presidency. Why did we do this? Pew Research Center conducts research to help the public, media and decision-makers understand important topics. We have studied Americans’ views of politics and major policy issues for decades. (https://www.pewresearch.org/about/) Learn more about Pew Research Center.  How did we do this? We surveyed 5,062 U.S. adults, including 3,917 registered voters, from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, 2026. Everyone who took part in this survey is a member of the Center’s American Trends Panel. The survey represents the views of the full U.S. adult population.  Here are the (https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2026/10/PP_2026.10.8_midterms-economy_questionnaire.pdf) survey questions used for this analysis , the (https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2026/10/PP_2026.10.8_midterms-economy_topline.pdf) detailed responses and the (index.html#_Methodology_1) survey methodology .  The 2026 midterm election is taking place amid deep public dissatisfaction with the state of the nation, near-record low approval ratings of President Donald Trump, and growing negativity about national economic conditions and the ongoing conflict with Iran.  Heading into the midterm home stretch Democratic voters are more invested, motivated than GOP voters Among registered voters who support the __ for the House of Representatives this November, % who …  ()    Note: Based on registered voters. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER     Share this chart    Share on X  Share on Facebook      Heading into the midterm home stretch Democratic voters are more invested, motivated than GOP voters Among registered voters who support the __ for the House of Representatives this November, % who …       Date Statement Rep candidate supporters Dem candidate supporters   Oct ’18 It really matters which party wins 74 75  Oct ’22 It really matters which party wins 76 72  Oct ’26 It really matters which party wins 69 78  Oct ’18 They’ve given the election ‘a lot’ of thought — —  Oct ’22 They’ve given the election ‘a lot’ of thought 49 38  Oct ’26 They’ve given the election ‘a lot’ of thought 36 50  Oct ’18 They’re extremely motivated to vote — —  Oct ’22 They’re extremely motivated to vote 58 56  Oct ’26 They’re extremely motivated to vote 46 63      Download data as .csv   Note: Based on registered voters. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER   Chart Data  Download Image Share      Against this backdrop, Democratic candidates now hold an 8 percentage point edge over Republican candidates in preferences for the House of Representatives among all registered voters nationally. And while many registered voters will not turn out to vote this fall, Democratic candidates are also buoyed by their supporters’ relatively high levels of engagement and stated motivation to vote when compared with those who are backing Republican candidates. For example: 78% of voters who back their House district’s Democratic candidate say it “really matters” which party wins control of Congress – 9 points higher than the share of Republican backers who say this. In contrast, Republican candidate supporters were 4 points higher on this measure than Democratic supporters at a similar point before the 2022 midterm election.  The partisan gap is also wide on other measures of engagement: Democratic supporters are 14 points more likely than Republican supporters to say they have given this year’s election “a lot” of thought and 17 points more likely to say they are “extremely motivated” to vote this year. A new Pew Research Center survey of 5,062 U.S. adults – including 3,917 registered voters – conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026, also finds that Donald Trump’s approval rating now stands at 30% – the lowest of his second term. Most voters (63%) consider Trump a factor in their vote for Congress, with far more thinking of their choice as a vote against the president (44%) than for him (19%). As economic ratings turn more (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/cost-concerns-dominate-as-publics-economic-ratings-turn-more-negative/) negative and concerns about prices rise – particularly for gas and energy – the economy continues to rank as the top voting issue this year, across the political spectrum: 84% of registered voters – including 88% of those who support Democrats and 82% who back Republicans – say it is very important to their vote. The midterm race Democrats currently hold an 8 percentage point edge in national vote preferences, with 44% of all registered voters saying they would support a Democrat for the House if the election were held today and 36% preferring a Republican. Another 5% say they would select a different candidate and 15% say they aren’t sure.  Trump voters who view GOP negatively are less loyal to the party’s midterm candidates than Harris voters with negative views of the Democratic Party % of registered voters who say that if the election were held today, they would vote for the __ for U.S. House of Representatives in their district  ()    Note: Based on registered voters. Nonvoters include those who did not vote in 2024 but were eligible to do so, as well as those who were not eligible to vote. Validated Trump and Harris voters are adult citizens for whom a record of voting was found in official state election records. Vote choice was collected in a survey conducted in the month after the 2024 election. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER     Share this chart    Share on X  Share on Facebook      Trump voters who view GOP negatively are less loyal to the party’s midterm candidates than Harris voters with negative views of the Democratic Party % of registered voters who say that if the election were held today, they would vote for the __ for U.S. House of Representatives in their district        Group Republican candidate Democratic candidate Another candidate Not sure   All registered voters 36 44 5 15  Trump 2024 voters 77 5 5 13  Trump 2024 voters who have a favorable opinion of the Republican Party (75% of all Trump 2024 voters) 86 2 3 9  Trump 2024 voters who have an unfavorable opinion of the Republican Party (25% of all Trump 2024 voters) 49 12 14 25  Harris 2024 voters 3 87 3 7  Harris 2024 voters who have a favorable opinion of the Democratic Party (74% of all Harris 2024 voters) 92 1 2 5  Harris 2024 voters who have an unfavorable opinion of the Democratic Party (25% of all Harris 2024 voters) 73 8 5 14  2024 nonvoters 26 39 6 29      Download data as .csv   Note: Based on registered voters. Nonvoters include those who did not vote in 2024 but were eligible to do so, as well as those who were not eligible to vote. Validated Trump and Harris voters are adult citizens for whom a record of voting was found in official state election records. Vote choice was collected in a survey conducted in the month after the 2024 election. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER   Chart Data  Download Image Share      Among validated voters – confirmed to have voted in the 2024 election – those who voted for Trump are less consolidated behind GOP candidates (77%) than Kamala Harris’ voters are behind Democratic candidates (87%).  The difference is even more pronounced among voters who are disaffected with the party they backed in 2024 – who make up a quarter of each 2024 coalition: 49% of Trump voters who have an unfavorable view of the GOP today support Republican candidates for the House this year. While only 12% say they back Democrats, more than a third say either that they are “not sure” (25%) or prefer “another candidate” (14%). In contrast, Harris voters with a negative view of the Democratic Party are much more solid in their preferences for Democrats this year: 73% say they support Democratic House candidates.  In both 2024 coalitions, these disaffected voters are less engaged with the election than those who have positive views of the parties – but that is particularly the case among Trump’s 2024 voters. For instance, just 36% of Trump voters with an unfavorable view of the GOP say the outcome this November really matters. By comparison, 65% of Harris voters with a negative view of the Democratic Party say it does. For more on demographic differences in candidate support, jump to “(https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/midterm-vote-preferences-by-race-and-ethnicity-age-and-other-demographics/) Midterm Vote Preferences by Race and Ethnicity, Age and Other Demographics ” and explore the (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Xm-bp_uZKnHqbFwyRAhisydugmJ2Q8tECL3GA1t2WrM/edit?gid=1526669780#gid=1526669780) detailed tables  . Trump’s approval rating continues to drop Three-in-ten Americans now say they approve of Trump’s handling of his job as president, while 68% disapprove – down 4 percentage points from July and his lowest approval rating of his second term.  Trump’s approval rating drops to 30% – on par with his rating prior to leaving office in January 2021 % who approve of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president (Chart)    Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER     Share this chart    Share on X  Share on Facebook      Trump’s approval rating drops to 30% – on par with his rating prior to leaving office in January 2021 % who approve of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president        Date to plot Year Date 1st term (2017-2021) 2nd term (2025-present)   2017-02-02 1 Feb 2 — 47  2017-03-12 1 Mar 12 44 —  2017-04-13 1 Apr 13 — 40  2017-04-18 1 Apr 18 39 —  2017-06-08 1 Jun 8 — 41  2017-08-10 1 Aug 10 — 38  2017-08-21 1 Aug 21 36 —  2017-09-28 1 Sep 28 — 40  2018-01-26 2 Jan 26 — 37  2018-02-13 2 Feb 13 38 —  2018-04-26 2 Apr 26 — 34  2018-07-13 2 Jul 13 — 34  2018-08-12 2 Aug 12 40 —  2018-10-04 2 Oct 4 — 30  2018-10-07 2 Oct 7 38 —  2018-11-13 2 Nov 13 41 —  2019-02-17 3 Feb 17 38 —  2019-05-13 3 May 13 40 —  2019-08-04 3 Aug 4 40 —  2019-09-15 3 Sep 15 40 —  2020-01-19 4 Jan 19 40 —  2020-03-24 4 Mar 24 45 —  2020-04-12 4 Apr 12 44 —  2020-06-22 4 Jun 22 39 —  2020-08-02 4 Aug 2 38 —  2021-01-12 4 Jan 12 29 —      Download data as .csv    Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER   Chart Data  Download Image Share       Much of this decline in his approval ratings over the course of his term is among Trump’s own 2024 voters – 67% of validated Trump 2024 voters approve of his job performance today while 31% disapprove. At the beginning of his term, 95% approved. Some of the starkest declines have come among Hispanic and younger voters who backed Trump in 2024. For more on Trump’s approval ratings and confidence in his governing and handling of issues, read “(https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/trumps-approval-rating-drops-as-fewer-americans-are-confident-in-his-handling-of-the-economy-other-issues/) Trump’s Approval Rating Drops as Fewer Americans Are Confident in His Handling of the Economy, Other Issues  .”   Most Democratic supporters view their vote as being against Trump; about half of Republicans say their vote is for him % of registered voters who think about their vote for Congress this fall as a vote __ the president  ()    Note: Based on registered voters. No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER     Share this chart    Share on X  Share on Facebook      Most Democratic supporters view their vote as being against Trump; about half of Republicans say their vote is for him % of registered voters who think about their vote for Congress this fall as a vote __ the president        Group Date For Against Not a factor   All RVs Oct 2022 Biden 19 36 43  All RVs Oct 2026 Trump 19 44 36  Republican candidate supporters Oct 2022 Biden 1 76 23  Republican candidate supporters Oct 2026 Trump 48 2 50  Democratic candidate supporters Oct 2022 Biden 36 4 60  Democratic candidate supporters Oct 2026 Trump 1 84 15      Download data as .csv   Note: Based on registered voters. No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER   Chart Data  Download Image Share      Trump is more of a factor in voters’ choices this year than Joe Biden was four years ago. While voters in most recent midterms have (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2018/09/26/democrats-have-edge-in-2018-midterm-voting-preferences/#for-most-voters-trump-looms-large-in-their-congressional-vote) tended to be motivated more by opposition to the sitting president than support for him, the current gap is wider than it was four years ago – when 36% of voters saw their vote in opposition to Biden and 19% viewed it as in support of him. Other key findings  Satisfaction with the state of the nation has dropped to 39% among Republicans overall (including those who lean to the GOP). This is the lowest of Trump’s second term (down from 65% shortly after he entered office and 54% at the beginning of this year). Overall, (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/midterms-2026-appendix-additional-charts/) 22% of Americans say they are satisfied with the state of the nation, while 77% are dissatisfied. Majorities of voters consider the future of democracy (73%), healthcare (68%), education (62%), immigration (59%) and foreign policy (57%) as important to their vote. As in past elections, immigration is a more central issue for Republican voters (72% say it’s very important) than for Democratic voters (53%) – but Democratic voters see it as a more important issue than they did four years ago. For more on the top issues in the election, read “(https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/economy-ranks-as-top-issue-in-midterms-for-all-voters-but-partisans-differ-over-the-importance-of-other-issues/) Economy ranks as top issue in midterms for all voters – but partisans differ over the importance of other issues .”   Economy tops voters’ list of election issues this year  % of registered voters who say each is very important to their vote in the 2026 congressional elections (Chart)   Note: Based on registered voters. No answer responses are not shown. Issues named by at least 50% of voters are shown here. Refer to topline for full distribution and list of items. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER     Share this chart    Share on X  Share on Facebook      Economy tops voters’ list of election issues this year  % of registered voters who say each is very important to their vote in the 2026 congressional elections     Issue All RVs   The economy 84  Future of democracy 73  Healthcare 68  Education 62  Immigration 59  Foreign policy 57  Energy policy 54  Violent crime 52      Download data as .csv   Note: Based on registered voters. No answer responses are not shown. Issues named by at least 50% of voters are shown here. Refer to topline for full distribution and list of items. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER   Chart Data  Download Image Share      Related:  (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/cost-concerns-dominate-as-publics-economic-ratings-turn-more-negative/) Cost Concerns Dominate as Public’s Economic Ratings Turn More Negative   The U.S. military action in Iran (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/10/08/iran-conflict-remains-deeply-unpopular-as-many-americans-expect-it-to-go-on-for-months/) remains deeply unpopular, and most Americans think it won’t end soon  . A third of Americans approve of how Trump is handling the conflict – down from 37% in March, shortly after it began. About three-quarters of Americans (77%) expect the conflict to last another six months or more. Most voters (61%) say they dislike elected officials who support building data centers in their area; just 8% like this. While dislike is especially widespread among Democratic voters (75% dislike), on balance Republican voters also do not like leaders who support data centers (44% dislike, 14% like). Related:  (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/09/22/americans-views-of-data-centers-have-turned-more-negative/) Americans’ Views of Data Centers Have Turned More Negative     (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/midterm-vote-preferences-by-race-and-ethnicity-age-and-other-demographics/) (Go to the next post in this report: Next: Midterm Vote Preferences by Race and Ethnicity, Age and Other Demographics) Next: Midterm Vote Preferences by Race and Ethnicity, Age and Other Demographics  ← Prev Page (With Americans in a Sour Mood, Democratic Voters Are More Engaged in Midterms) 1 (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/midterm-vote-preferences-by-race-and-ethnicity-age-and-other-demographics/) (Midterm Vote Preferences by Race and Ethnicity, Age and Other Demographics) 2 (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/economy-ranks-as-top-issue-in-midterms-for-all-voters-but-partisans-differ-over-the-importance-of-other-issues/) (Economy Ranks as Top Issue in Midterms for All Voters – But Partisans Differ Over the Importance of Other Issues) 3 (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/trumps-approval-rating-drops-as-fewer-americans-are-confident-in-his-handling-of-the-economy-other-issues/) (Trump’s Approval Rating Drops as Fewer Americans Are Confident in His Handling of the Economy, Other Issues) 4 (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/midterms-2026-appendix-additional-charts/) (Appendix: Additional Charts) 5 (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/midterms-acknowledgments/) (Acknowledgments) 6 (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/midterms-2026-methodology/) (Methodology) 7  (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/midterm-vote-preferences-by-race-and-ethnicity-age-and-other-demographics/) Next Page →       (https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2026/10/PP_2026.10.8_midterms_report.pdf) Report PDF     (https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2026/10/PP_2026.10.8_midterms-economy_topline.pdf) Topline     (https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2026/10/PP_2026.10.8_midterms-economy_questionnaire.pdf) Questionnaire     (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Xm-bp_uZKnHqbFwyRAhisydugmJ2Q8tECL3GA1t2WrM/edit?usp=sharing) Detailed tables: Midterm preference, Trump approval, October 2026    (Icon for promotion number 1)   Sign up for our weekly newsletter Fresh data delivered Saturday mornings            Go back to previous question     Reset    Thank you for subscribing!   Processing…        Topics (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/politics-policy/us-elections-voters/election-2026/) Election 2026  (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/politics-policy/) Politics & Policy  (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/politics-policy/us-elections-voters/) U.S. Elections & Voters  (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/politics-policy/us-elections-voters/voters-voting/voter-participation/) Voter Participation  (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/politics-policy/us-elections-voters/voters-voting/) Voters & Voting     Share This Link: (https://www.pewresearch.org/?p=693287)    (https://www.pewresearch.org/?p=693287)     (index.html#)   X   (index.html#)   Facebook   (index.html#)   Threads   (index.html#)   LinkedIn   (index.html#)   WhatsApp       Related short reads Aug 6, 2026  (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/08/06/most-us-senators-appointed-since-1990-have-run-to-keep-their-seat-and-most-have-won/) (Darline Graham, accompanied by her husband, Larry Nordone, is sworn in as U.S. senator by Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley of Iowa on July 14. Graham was appointed by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster following the death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images))   (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/08/06/most-us-senators-appointed-since-1990-have-run-to-keep-their-seat-and-most-have-won/) Most U.S. senators appointed since 1990 have run to keep their seat – and most have won   report Aug 22, 2025  (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2025/08/22/majority-of-americans-continue-to-back-expanded-early-voting-voting-by-mail-voter-id/) ()   (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2025/08/22/majority-of-americans-continue-to-back-expanded-early-voting-voting-by-mail-voter-id/) Majority of Americans Continue to Back Expanded Early Voting, Voting by Mail, Voter ID   short reads Oct 30, 2024  (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/10/30/decade-after-decade-more-than-three-quarters-of-us-house-districts-have-consistently-been-won-by-the-party-that-holds-them/) (People react to 2018 midterm election results during a watch party in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 6, 2018. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images))   (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/10/30/decade-after-decade-more-than-three-quarters-of-us-house-districts-have-consistently-been-won-by-the-party-that-holds-them/) For decades, most U.S. House seats have mainly been won by the incumbent party   short reads Jul 12, 2024  (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/07/12/10-facts-about-republicans-in-the-us/) (Delegates from Ohio stand for the Pledge of Allegiance at the opening of the Republican National Convention on July 15, 2024, in Milwaukee. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images))   (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/07/12/10-facts-about-republicans-in-the-us/) 10 facts about Republicans in the U.S.   short reads Jun 27, 2024  (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/06/27/third-party-and-independent-candidates-for-president-often-fall-short-of-early-polling-numbers/) (Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a voter rally in Aurora, Colorado, on May 19, 2024. (Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images))   (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/06/27/third-party-and-independent-candidates-for-president-often-fall-short-of-early-polling-numbers/) Third-party and independent candidates for president often fall short of early polling numbers     Most Popular 1 (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/quiz/political-typology/) Political Typology Quiz 2026  2 (https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2026/09/22/tradition-and-change-among-latter-day-saints-in-the-us/) Tradition and Change Among Latter-day Saints in the U.S.  3 (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/09/22/americans-views-of-data-centers-have-turned-more-negative/) Americans’ views of data centers have turned more negative  4 (https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2026/02/24/how-teens-use-and-view-ai/) How Teens Use and View AI  5 (https://www.pewresearch.org/data-labs/2026/09/30/can-ai-stand-in-for-human-survey-takers-not-really/) Can AI Stand In for Human Survey-Takers? Not Really     Report Materials    (https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2026/10/PP_2026.10.8_midterms_report.pdf) Report PDF     (https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2026/10/PP_2026.10.8_midterms-economy_topline.pdf) Topline     (https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2026/10/PP_2026.10.8_midterms-economy_questionnaire.pdf) Questionnaire     (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Xm-bp_uZKnHqbFwyRAhisydugmJ2Q8tECL3GA1t2WrM/edit?usp=sharing) Detailed tables: Midterm preference, Trump approval, October 2026     Table of Contents (index.html) With Americans in a Sour Mood, Democratic Voters Are More Engaged in Midterms   (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/midterm-vote-preferences-by-race-and-ethnicity-age-and-other-demographics/) Midterm Vote Preferences by Race and Ethnicity, Age and Other Demographics   (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/economy-ranks-as-top-issue-in-midterms-for-all-voters-but-partisans-differ-over-the-importance-of-other-issues/) Economy Ranks as Top Issue in Midterms for All Voters – But Partisans Differ Over the Importance of Other Issues   (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/trumps-approval-rating-drops-as-fewer-americans-are-confident-in-his-handling-of-the-economy-other-issues/) Trump’s Approval Rating Drops as Fewer Americans Are Confident in His Handling of the Economy, Other Issues   (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/midterms-2026-appendix-additional-charts/) Appendix: Additional Charts   (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/midterms-acknowledgments/) Acknowledgments   (https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2026/10/08/midterms-2026-methodology/) Methodology         (https://www.pewresearch.org) (Return to Home)       901 E St. NW, Suite 300Washington, DC 20004USA(tel:+12024194300) (+1) 202-419-4300   Research Topics  (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/politics-policy/) Politics & Policy  (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/international-affairs/) International Affairs  (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/immigration-migration/) Immigration & Migration  (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/race-ethnicity/) Race & Ethnicity  (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/religion/) Religion  (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/generations-age/) Age & Generations  (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/gender-lgbtq/) Gender & LGBTQ    (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/family-relationships/) Family & Relationships  (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/economy-work/) Economy & Work  (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/science/) Science  (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/internet-technology/) Internet & Technology  (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/news-habits-media/) News Habits & Media  (https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/methodological-research/) Methodological Research      Follow Us  (https://www.pewresearch.org/about/follow-us/)   Email Newsletters   (https://www.youtube.com/user/PewResearchCenter/featured/)   YouTube   (https://www.instagram.com/pewresearch/)   Instagram   (https://www.facebook.com/pewresearch/)   Facebook   (https://www.linkedin.com/company/pew-research-center/)   LinkedIn   (https://x.com/pewresearch)   X   (https://bsky.app/profile/pewresearch.org)   Bluesky   (https://www.threads.com/@pewresearch)   Threads   (https://www.pewresearch.org/feed/)   RSS Feed      (https://www.pewresearch.org/about) ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER  Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan, nonadvocacy fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. 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