Economy, Democracy Top Voter Concerns in Poll
A survey of more than 79,000 people found the economy and the state of democracy were the leading issues for U.S. voters on election day.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Inflation
Live Poll
Do you think your household's finances are better or worse than two years ago?
An election day Voter Poll conducted by SSRS for a consortium of news companies found 39% of respondents named the economy as the most important issue, followed by 32% who named the state of democracy. Just 14% named immigration as their top concern.
Why it matters
The poll points to widespread economic strain, with 75% of respondents rating the economy as not so good or poor. Majorities also linked inflation and rising prices to Trump's policies, shaping how voters viewed the midterm contests.
A survey of more than 79,000 voters found 75% rated the economy as not so good or poor, and 79% said inflation caused them or their family severe or moderate hardship in the past year. Whether these concerns will shape longer-term economic behavior is not addressed by the poll.
The players
SSRS
SSRS is a research firm that conducted the Voter Poll on behalf of a consortium of news companies.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the current President of the United States, whose policies were cited by a majority of respondents as worsening economic conditions.
The details
Respondents were surveyed in tens of thousands of interviews that included exit polling of both early and election day voters. Sixty-five percent said Trump's policies had worsened economic conditions, while 59% said they were very concerned about petrol and diesel costs and 58% about food and grocery prices.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Election day Voter Poll results published
Macro View
The poll's finding that 79% of respondents experienced inflation-related hardship reflects the price pressures that followed the post-pandemic inflation surge of 2021 and 2022. Its attribution of those prices to presidential policy marks a shift in how voters frame inflation compared with earlier cycles.
Of those surveyed, 44% said their family finances were worse than two years ago, and 59% were very concerned about petrol and diesel costs. These pressures bear directly on household budgets across the country.
The takeaway
Voters' concerns about everyday costs suggest that inflation remains a central pressure on household finances, with most respondents linking it to policy decisions. Tracking how these attitudes shift in the months ahead will show whether price concerns ease.
Further reading
Explore more on inflation trends shaping household budgets across the United States.
Live Poll
Do you think your household's finances are better or worse than two years ago?
