Midterm polls show majority of Americans want substantial change
Four polls released this week indicate that a large majority of American voters desire significant changes in how the country is governed, creating a challenging environment for the incumbent administration ahead of the midterms. The data suggests widespread dissatisfaction with the current state of the nation, though it remains unclear whether this discontent will translate into higher voter turnout or a decisive shift in party support.
Four polls released this week indicate that a large majority of American voters desire significant changes in how the country is governed, creating a challenging environment for the incumbent administration ahead of the midterms. The data suggests widespread dissatisfaction with the current state of the nation, though it remains unclear whether this discontent will translate into higher voter turnout or a decisive shift in party support.
According to a new AP/NORC poll, eight in ten Americans want to see either "substantial change" or "complete and total upheaval" in the way the country is run. This sentiment extends across party lines, with 58% of Republicans sharing the view. A separate survey by The Economist and YouGov found that seven in ten voters feel that things in the country are out of control. Additionally, a Fox News poll revealed that nearly two-thirds of Americans rate the economy negatively.
These national sentiments appear to be affecting President Donald Trump's approval ratings. Fox News data shows his approval rating on inflation has dropped to a new low of 22%, despite a previous increase last month. His overall job approval rating has also fallen to 36%, marking a new floor in Fox News surveys for either of his terms. The polling indicates that this decline is largely driven by voters under 45, those with household incomes below $50,000, non-white voters, and individuals without a college degree. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding these findings.
However, voter dissatisfaction does not necessarily generate positive energy for the opposing party. AP/NORC polling indicates that 47% of voters are somewhat or very pessimistic about the Democratic Party's future, compared to only 21% who are optimistic. Similarly, about half of voters are pessimistic about the Republican Party's future, while around 23% express optimism. Despite these mixed feelings about both parties' futures, Fox News found that if the election were held today, 54% of voters would support the Democratic candidate in their House district, while 45% would back the Republican candidate. This represents a wider lead for Democrats than in the prior month.
The polls also suggest that Republicans have lost ground to Democrats in earning voter trust on key issues such as inflation and foreign policy. Republican strategists are aware of their defensive position in an uphill midterm battle. Axios' Hans Nichols reports that Republicans have increased advertising in traditionally safe states while pulling ads in races that appear lost. Democratic leadership faces its own challenges, navigating difficult races and the potential arrival of a new, rebellious caucus in Congress that may challenge party unity.
The AP/NORC poll was conducted from October 8 to 12, 2026, with 1,119 adults interviewed via online and telephone methods, carrying a margin of sampling error of +/-3.9 percentage points. The Economist/YouGov survey took place from October 10 to 12, 2026, with 1,403 U.S. registered voters surveyed via web-based interviews, with a margin of error of +/-3.5 percentage points. The Fox News poll was conducted from October 9 to 12, 2026, under the joint direction of Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research, with 1,202 registered voters nationwide, with a margin of error of +/-2.5 percentage points.