AP-NORC Poll: Voters Frustrated With Trump, Want Major Change in Washington

AP-NORC Poll: Voters Demand Major Change in Washington as Trump Faces Growing Discontent Ahead of 2026 Midterms

A growing wave of voter dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump and the Republican Party could pose a significant challenge for Republicans in the November 2026 midterm elections, according to a new poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The survey indicates that voters across the political spectrum want substantial changes in the way the country is governed, with economic concerns and the rising cost of living dominating their priorities.

Conducted less than four weeks before Election Day, the poll found that Democratic voters were more motivated to participate in the midterms than their Republican counterparts. It also showed that more voters preferred Democrats to control Congress, while negative perceptions of the Republican Party remained widespread.

Although the Democratic advantage was relatively narrow on some measures, the findings collectively point to a difficult political environment for Republicans, who are defending their congressional majorities amid public dissatisfaction over the economy, rising prices and the prolonged war with Iran.

Around eight in 10 registered voters identified the economy or the cost of living as major issues influencing their votes. Approximately two-thirds also cited healthcare and the war in Iran as important concerns. Immigration and crime, issues that have traditionally benefited Trump politically, ranked lower among voters’ leading priorities.

“The world is going backwards. We can barely afford anything,” said Diana Walker, a 65-year-old Democrat from Decatur, Georgia, reflecting concerns about the financial pressures facing American households.

Democratic Voters Show Greater Motivation to Vote

The poll found a clear difference in voting enthusiasm between the two major parties. Approximately two-thirds of registered voters said it was extremely important to vote in the upcoming midterm elections, while about one-fifth considered voting very important.

Among Democrats, roughly three-quarters described voting as extremely important, compared with around six in 10 Republicans.

Ryan Longbrake, a 52-year-old Democrat from Columbus, Ohio, said he was eager to vote and had encouraged his wife and two college-aged daughters to participate as well.

He pointed to recent Democratic momentum in Ohio’s gubernatorial and US Senate races, alongside the party’s efforts to compete in traditionally Republican-leaning states such as Iowa and Kansas.

Republicans have controlled Congress for the past two years. However, the survey found that approximately half of registered voters preferred Democrats to control either the House of Representatives or the Senate. Around four in 10 wanted Republicans to retain control of each chamber, while 15% remained undecided.

Majority of Voters Want Substantial Change

One of the poll’s most notable findings was the widespread demand for a change in the country’s political direction.

Approximately half of registered voters said they wanted substantial change, while around three in 10 favoured complete and total upheaval in the way the country is governed.

Democrats and independents were considerably more likely than Republicans to support a complete overhaul. Nevertheless, dissatisfaction extended into the Republican electorate, with 45% of Republican voters seeking substantial change and 13% favouring upheaval.

Krista Kohles, a 70-year-old Republican from near Davey, Nebraska, expressed frustration with what she described as a lack of progress in Washington.

“I’m kind of tired of sending people there and nothing gets done,” she said.

Trump’s Approval Remains Weak on Economic Issues

The survey indicated that Trump’s standing among voters remained under pressure, particularly on the issues they consider most important.

Only about one-third of registered voters expressed a favourable opinion of the president or approved of his overall performance. His ratings on economic management were considerably weaker.

Nearly eight in 10 voters disapproved of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, broadly consistent with findings from an AP-NORC survey conducted in September. Around three-quarters disapproved of his handling of the economy.

The dissatisfaction extended beyond Democratic voters. Among Republicans, only 44% approved of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, although 54% approved of his economic leadership. Republican support was considerably stronger on issues such as crime.

Foreign policy has also emerged as a source of concern within Trump’s political base. As the war with Iran entered its eighth month, 69% of Republican voters expressed support for his foreign policy, indicating that a significant minority did not back his approach despite his earlier assurances that the conflict would last only four or five weeks.

DonnaJean Weber, a 72-year-old Republican from Manistee, Michigan, said she intended to vote for Republican candidates but remained dissatisfied with the economic situation and some of Trump’s policy decisions.

“Everything’s going up,” she said, citing the impact of the Iran conflict and expressing reservations about the administration’s tariffs.

The poll found that the economy and the cost of living remained major priorities for voters from both parties, underlining the central role these issues are likely to play in the midterm campaign.

Vice President JD Vance, who is viewed as a potential contender in the next presidential election, also received mixed assessments. Around half of voters held a somewhat or very unfavourable opinion of him, compared with roughly one-third who viewed him favourably.

Democrats Face Their Own Popularity Challenges

Despite Trump’s weak ratings, the findings do not indicate overwhelming enthusiasm for the Democratic Party itself.

Approximately four in 10 voters viewed Democrats favourably, while around half expressed an unfavourable opinion. By comparison, roughly six in 10 viewed Republicans negatively, although overall evaluations of the two parties remained broadly challenging.

Supporters of both parties continued to view their own side favourably, with around eight in 10 Democratic and Republican voters expressing positive opinions of their respective parties.

Independent voters, however, were more negative towards Republicans than Democrats. About two-thirds viewed the Republican Party unfavourably, compared with roughly four in 10 who held a negative opinion of Democrats.

Michael Russo, a 51-year-old independent voter from Texas, described the country’s political situation under Republican control as a “nightmare”. Although he wanted Republicans to lose control, he also expressed doubts about whether Democrats would deliver meaningful change if they returned to power.

His concerns reflect a broader challenge for Democrats: converting dissatisfaction with the Republican administration into confidence in their own ability to govern.

Midterm Elections Could Test Public Confidence in Washington

The AP-NORC findings suggest that economic pressures, foreign policy concerns and frustration with political leadership could shape the 2026 midterm elections. Republicans face the challenge of defending congressional control while addressing widespread dissatisfaction with the cost of living and the administration’s handling of the economy.

Democrats, meanwhile, appear to benefit from stronger voting enthusiasm and more favourable perceptions among independent voters, but their own popularity remains limited.

The poll does not determine the outcome of the elections. It does, however, point to a political environment in which voters are demanding change while remaining uncertain about whether either party can deliver the results they want.