US voters name economy and state of democracy as top issues, poll says

BBC asks voters across US what brought them to the polls today

The economy and the state of democracy have been named as the top issues for US voters, according to an election day poll.

The survey – officially called the Voter Poll – asks tens of thousands of the American electorate their opinions and motivations, and providing a breakdown by age, gender, education and other demographics.

Polling company SSRS collects data on behalf of a consortium of news companies, and the survey is a representative sample of American voters in the run up to the election, and includes exit polling of both early and on the day voters.

Here are some of the breakdowns from the 2026 voter poll. Like all surveys they are estimates; the numbers are also likely to be updated as more data arrives.

Economy ranked as top issue

Some 39% of those asked in the poll of more than 79,000 people said the economy was the most important issue, while 32% put the state of democracy top.

Following that, immigration was named most important by 14% of voters while healthcare, foreign policy and crime were ranked first by a lower share.

Data suggests the majority of US voters have a negative view of the state of the national economy.

Some 75% of those asked said the economy was in a “not so good or poor” state with 25% saying it was “excellent or good”.

Looking at their own family finances, 44% of people said they were in a worse situation than two years ago, 38% said about the same and 18% said better.

Majority say Trump’s policies ‘worsened economy’

Almost two thirds (65%) of voters surveyed say US President Donald Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions in the US.

By contrast, 28% say Trump’s policies have improved conditions and only 8% say the president has had no impact.

People were also asked whether expressing support or opposition for Trump was one reason for their midterm vote.

Some 43% said expressing opposition was a reason but a similar proportion (41%) said he was not a factor. Only 16% of those asked said expressing support was a reason for their vote.

Nearly 40% unhappy with state of the US

Almost four in ten of those asked (38%) said they were angry at the way things are going in the US at the moment, with a further 37% saying they were dissatisfied.

Only 18% said they were satisfied, and 7% of respondents felt enthusiastic.

So taken together, there is a majority telling pollsters SSRS they are not happy about the current state of the country.

Inflation has caused hardship for most Americans

As well as broader issues, pollsters also asked about inflation and the impact of rising prices on people’s lives.

Almost eight in 10 voters (79%) said inflation had caused them and their family a severe or moderate hardship in the past year. A fifth (21%) of those answering said it had caused them no hardship at all.

A majority of voters (59%) said they were “very concerned” about the cost of petrol and diesel and a similar proportion (58%) gave this answer about the cost of food and groceries.

More than six in 10 respondents (62%) said they thought that higher than usual prices were more because of Trump’s policies.

And 38% said it was more due to factors beyond his control.

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