Roughly three-quarters of American voters say they feel angry or dissatisfied with the state of the country, with the economy, democracy, and frustration with former President Donald Trump ranking as the most pressing issues ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, according to a series of polls released by the Associated Press (AP) and NBC News.
About 40% of voters named the economy as their primary concern, while roughly 30% said the state of democracy was their top issue, according to AP’s voter survey published on 3 November 2026, days after the midterms. NBC News exit polls closely aligned, with 39% pointing to the economy and 32% to democracy as decisive voting factors.
The cost of living emerged as a critical theme, with about half of voters reporting it played a key role in their voting decisions. Notably, six in ten voters blamed higher prices more on Trump’s policies than external factors beyond his control. This perception reflects widespread economic dissatisfaction tied directly to the former president’s influence.
Further highlighting Trump’s strained relationship with voters, AP’s election analysis found that about 60% of participants expressed deep disapproval of his presidency. This sentiment supports the broader interpretation that voter fatigue with Trump remains a dominant force shaping electoral behaviour.
Alongside concerns over the economy and Trump’s impact, a substantial 70% of voters said they wanted Congress to increase checks and balances on the presidency, signalling anxiety about democratic institutions. NBC News exit polls reinforced this, with large numbers citing “the state of democracy” as a crucial issue in their vote.
These findings come amid a backdrop of intense political division and economic challenges in the US, with inflation and cost-of-living increases pressuring households nationwide. The midterm results underscore how voters’ frustrations extend beyond conventional policy debates to encompass institutional integrity and leadership accountability.
The narrative that emerged across independent media outlets like AP, NBC News, and France 24 emphasises that the 2026 midterms reflected a deep mood of dissatisfaction focused primarily on affordability and preservation of democratic norms rather than issues such as crime or immigration.
While the polls offer a clear snapshot of voter priorities, exact figures and polling methodologies have yet to be fully verified. Importantly, these surveys do not claim that any single issue decisively “won” the election but rather illustrate the complex array of concerns influencing voter behaviour this cycle.
Cape Flats.co.za will continue monitoring developments and reporting on how international political trends, such as those in the US, resonate with local audiences in Cape Town and the Western Cape.