Voters Split on Midterm Results, Poll Finds
A YouGov survey conducted after the midterm election found that a majority of voters felt thrilled or happy about the outcome, with sentiment varying by income, age and race.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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A YouGov poll conducted on Wednesday after the Tuesday midterm election found that 56% of voters were either thrilled (26%) or happy (30%) about the results. Democrats gained control of Congress in the midterms.
Why it matters
The poll offers a snapshot of how different voter groups reacted to the midterm outcome, showing that lower-income, younger, Black and Hispanic voters reported more positive reactions than their counterparts. Voters interviewed cited economic concerns such as inflation as central to their decisions.
The YouGov poll reported that 26% of all voters were thrilled and 30% were happy with the midterm results, for a combined 56%. Half of lower-income voters shared positive reactions, while middle- and high-income voters were more positive still, and YouGov declined to comment on the data.
The players
YouGov
YouGov is an international research data and analytics company known for conducting public opinion and polling surveys.
The details
Voters ages 18 to 44 were happier about the results than older voters, and Black and Hispanic voters were happier than white voters. Elva Medina, a 43-year-old naturalized citizen from Mexico and mental-health therapist in Kansas City, Mo., said she was relieved, while Chris Jaramillo, a former school-board president and self-employed consultant in the Philadelphia area, cited inflation and the cost of gas, groceries and utilities as top concerns.
Timeline
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Midterm elections held.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: YouGov conducted its post-election poll.
Political Context
This poll measures partisan reaction to a midterm result that handed Democrats control of Congress, showing how sentiment about the outcome splits along income, age and racial lines. The results reflect voters' expectations that Medicaid and Medicare programs could be revitalized under Democratic control.
For voters focused on household costs, the poll highlights that inflation affecting gas, groceries and utilities remains a central concern shaping how people evaluate the political outcome. Voters who hoped for changes to Medicaid and Medicare will be watching how a Democratic-controlled Congress acts on those programs.
The takeaway
The poll suggests that economic pressures such as inflation weigh heavily on voter sentiment, and that reactions to the same midterm result vary sharply by income and age. Readers can track how these concerns translate into policy as the new Congress takes shape.
Further reading
Explore more on the Elections section for context on how midterm outcomes are shaping the national political landscape.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Morningstar.
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