The rising cost of living is a major concern for Americans as they prepare to vote in the midterm elections, which will affect Congressional control during President Donald Trump’s remaining term. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 48% of registered voters consider the cost of living the most important issue, while 26% focus on democratic norms and 13% on immigration. Fuel prices have increased due to the US-Israeli war with Iran.
Trump is leveraging his influence by encouraging his supporters to see their votes as supporting him. The poll revealed that 48% of voters view their ballots as a vote against Trump, while 25% support him, and another 25% are not influenced by him in their voting decisions. Regarding the Iran conflict, 25% of voters believe military action was worth it, while 55% do not, with 18% uncertain.
Most voters express trust in the electoral process, with 77% confident that their votes will be counted. However, 45% feel voter fraud is a significant issue. Trump has made unsubstantiated claims about non-citizen voting, raising concerns among election officials about the integrity of the election.
Many Americans feel their household finances have worsened since Trump took office in January 2025, with 49% reporting a decline compared to just 13% who believe their finances have improved. A notable 54% of Hispanic voters say their finances have suffered under his administration.
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Regarding key issues, 38% of voters prioritize keeping transgender girls and women out of women’s sports, while 42% emphasize limiting the construction of data centers for AI. Voters also express concern over the influence of wealthy donors in elections, with a strong bipartisan consensus against billionaires spending excessively to sway election outcomes. Finally, while the poll suggests a slight preference for Democrats over Republicans, opinions on which party has good ideas remain divided.
With information from Reuters
