Economy and state of democracy top issues for US voters, election day poll finds

The economy and the state of democracy have been named as the top issues for US voters, according to a major election day survey conducted as Americans voted in the midterm elections. The survey, officially called the Voter Poll, asks tens of thousands of voters about their opinions and motivations.

Polling company SSRS collects the data on behalf of a consortium of news companies. The survey of more than 79,000 people is a representative sample of American voters and includes exit polling of both early voters and those voting on the day.

Some 39% of those asked said the economy was the most important issue, while 32% put the state of democracy top. Immigration was named most important by 14% of voters, while healthcare, foreign policy and crime were ranked first by a lower share.

Most voters took a negative view of the national economy. Some 75% 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.

Almost two thirds (65%) of voters surveyed said President Donald Trump’s policies have worsened economic conditions in the US. By contrast, 28% said his policies have improved conditions and only 8% said the president has had no impact.

Asked whether expressing support or opposition for Trump was one reason for their midterm vote, 43% said expressing opposition was a reason, a similar proportion (41%) said he was not a factor, and only 16% said expressing support was a reason.

The national mood was also downbeat: 38% of those asked said they were angry at the way things are going in the US, with a further 37% dissatisfied. Only 18% said they were satisfied and 7% felt enthusiastic.

Inflation weighed heavily on households. Almost eight in 10 voters (79%) said inflation had caused them and their family a severe or moderate hardship in the past year, while a fifth (21%) said it had caused 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 the same answer about the cost of food and groceries.

More than six in 10 respondents (62%) thought higher than usual prices were more because of Trump’s policies, while 38% said it was more due to factors beyond his control.

Americans are electing members of Congress, made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. All 435 House seats are up for election, while in the Senate only 35 of 100 seats are being contested because senators serve six-year terms.