Surveys released ahead of the 2026 midterm elections show that the rising cost of living is a primary concern for American voters. A Reuters/Ipsos poll of 1,765 U.S. adults, released on Monday, Nov. 2, found that 48% of registered voters identified the cost of living as the most important factor in their voting decision. This issue ranked higher than democracy, cited by 26% of respondents, and immigration, cited by 13%.
The polling follows a period of economic shift since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025. According to the Reuters/Ipsos data, 49% of Americans reported that their household finances have worsened during this term, while 13% reported improvement and 37% saw things as about the same. Economic dissatisfaction was more pronounced among Hispanic respondents, with 54% stating their finances have suffered compared to 10% who reported gains.
Energy costs and international conflict have also emerged as factors. The national average price for gasoline reached $4.15 per gallon on Tuesday, Nov. 3, marking an increase of more than one dollar from the previous year. Pollsters and news reports attributed these rising fuel prices to the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, which entered its ninth month this November. The cost of U.S. military operations in the conflict has reached $47 billion, with 55% of voters surveyed stating the military action has not been worth the cost.
For the average household, these economic sentiments reflect the reality of a $4.15 per gallon gasoline price, a change that impacts daily commuting and transportation costs. Additionally, the $47 billion spent on the Iran conflict, which includes a $3 billion increase in munition replacement costs since September alone, represents an allocation of federal funds during a period when nearly half of the population reports deteriorating personal finances. Results of the election will determine whether the current administration maintains its legislative agenda or faces a divided government.
If Democrats gain control of Congress, they will face a split constituency; according to The POLITICO Poll, 45% of Democratic voters want the party to work pragmatically across party lines, while 51% want them to fight harder to oppose Trump and the Republicans. Furthermore, 29% of Democratic respondents indicated they would be willing to sacrifice progress on affordability to avoid giving the Trump administration wins. While voting concluded on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 45% of voters expressed concern that voter fraud remains a widespread problem despite 77% expressing confidence that their own ballots will be counted. Results are expected to be tallied throughout the week.