Trump Faces Voter Backlash Ahead Of 2026 Midterms As Poll Shows Democratic Advantage

A majority of American voters believe President Donald Trump is falling short on key domestic and foreign policy issues and want significant changes in the country’s leadership ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, according to a new AP-NORC poll.

The survey, conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research less than four weeks before Election Day, points to potential challenges for Republicans as they seek to retain control of Congress. Democratic voters reported greater enthusiasm for voting, while more voters expressed a preference for Democrats to control the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The findings come amid public concerns over the economy, rising living costs, healthcare and the ongoing war with Iran.

Economy, Cost Of Living Top Voters’ Concerns

The economy and the cost of living are the leading issues for voters heading into the midterm elections. About eight in 10 registered voters identified at least one of these issues as a top priority, while roughly two-thirds highlighted healthcare and the war in Iran.

By comparison, immigration and crime — issues on which Trump and Republicans have traditionally focused — ranked lower among voters’ immediate priorities.

The poll suggests that economic concerns could weigh heavily on Republican candidates as voters assess Trump’s performance.

“The world is going backwards. We can barely afford anything,” said Diana Walker, a 65-year-old Democrat from Decatur, Georgia, describing the financial pressures facing Americans.

Democratic Voters Show Greater Enthusiasm For Midterms

The survey found that Democratic voters were more likely than Republicans to consider voting in November’s midterm elections extremely important.

Approximately three-quarters of Democratic voters said casting a ballot was “extremely” important, compared with around six in 10 Republican voters.

Overall, about two-thirds of registered voters described voting as extremely important, while roughly two in 10 said it was very important.

Ryan Longbrake, a 52-year-old Democrat from Columbus, Ohio, said he was enthusiastic about voting and had encouraged his wife and two college-age daughters to participate.

“I believe that there is change on the horizon and there is an excitement within our party,” he said.

Democrats are also directing resources towards states traditionally considered more favourable to Republicans, including Iowa and Kansas, as they seek to improve their prospects in the congressional elections.

More Voters Prefer Democrats To Control Congress

Republicans have controlled Congress for the past two years, but the poll found that about half of registered voters would prefer Democrats to control either the House or the Senate.

Roughly four in 10 voters preferred Republican control of each chamber, while approximately 15% remained undecided.

Although the Democratic advantage was relatively narrow on some measures, the combination of voter enthusiasm, dissatisfaction with the administration and preferences for congressional control presents challenges for Republicans.

Majority Of Voters Want Significant Political Change

The survey also found widespread demand for a change in the country’s direction.

Around half of voters said they wanted “substantial change” in the way the country is run, while approximately three in 10 favoured “complete and total upheaval”.

Democrats and independent voters were more likely than Republicans to support a comprehensive overhaul. However, dissatisfaction was also evident among Republican voters, with 45% seeking substantial change and 13% favouring upheaval.

Krista Kohles, a 70-year-old Republican from near Davey, Nebraska, expressed frustration with the political system.

“I’m kind of tired of sending people there and nothing gets done,” she said. “Nothing’s changing.”

Trump’s Approval Ratings Remain Under Pressure

The AP-NORC poll found that only about one-third of registered voters had a very or somewhat favourable opinion of Trump. A similar proportion approved of his performance as president.

Economic dissatisfaction was particularly pronounced. Nearly eight in 10 registered voters disapproved of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, broadly consistent with the findings of a September AP-NORC poll. Around three-quarters disapproved of his handling of the economy.

Even among Republicans, approval was not uniform. About 44% approved of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, while 54% approved of his performance on the economy.

The findings indicate that economic pressures remain a significant concern for voters, including members of Trump’s own party.

Iran War Creates Further Challenges For Trump

The ongoing war with Iran has also emerged as a source of concern for some Republican voters.

According to the survey, 69% of Republican voters supported Trump’s handling of foreign policy as the conflict entered its eighth month, despite his earlier promises that the war would last only four or five weeks.

DonnaJean Weber, a 72-year-old Republican from Manistee, Michigan, said she intended to continue supporting Republican candidates but was dissatisfied with the economy.

“Everything’s going up,” she said, pointing to the effects of the conflict and other administration policies.

She also expressed reservations about Trump’s tariffs, saying they were making the country look bad.

The survey found that economic conditions and living costs remained high priorities for both Democratic and Republican voters.

JD Vance Also Faces Negative Views

Vice President JD Vance, who is viewed as a potential Republican contender in the next presidential election, also received mixed assessments in the poll.

Around half of voters expressed a very or somewhat unfavourable opinion of Vance, compared with approximately one-third who viewed him favourably.

The findings suggest that dissatisfaction with the administration extends beyond Trump, although the survey does not establish how these opinions would translate into future presidential voting decisions.

Democrats Also Face Questions Over Public Support

Despite Trump’s difficulties, the poll indicates that Democrats have not generated overwhelming enthusiasm among the broader electorate.

Around four in 10 voters viewed the Democratic Party favourably, while approximately half held an unfavourable opinion of it. Views of Republicans were also negative, with about six in 10 voters expressing an unfavourable opinion of the GOP.

Among voters identifying with their respective parties, approximately eight in 10 Democrats and Republicans viewed their own party favourably.

Independent voters, however, were more likely to hold a negative view of Republicans than Democrats. Roughly two-thirds viewed the GOP unfavourably, compared with around four in 10 who had a negative opinion of Democrats.

Michael Russo, a 51-year-old independent voter from Texas, described the country’s situation under Republican control as “a nightmare”. However, he also expressed doubts about whether Democrats would deliver meaningful changes if they regained power.

“I’m not confident they’re going to do anything if they get into power,” he said.

What The Poll Means For The 2026 Midterms

The AP-NORC findings highlight several potential vulnerabilities for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections: dissatisfaction with the cost of living, concerns over the Iran war and greater reported voting enthusiasm among Democrats.

However, the survey also shows that Democrats face challenges of their own, including unfavourable views among a substantial share of the electorate and uncertainty over whether voters believe the party can deliver change.

The results offer a snapshot of voter sentiment ahead of Election Day, rather than a prediction of the final outcome. Turnout, campaign developments and how voters assess the parties’ competing policies will all influence the congressional contests.