The economy and cost of living each appeared among the most important election concerns for 83% of U.S. adults, while 80% disapproved of President Donald Trump’s handling of living costs in an October survey.
The Associated Press–NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found health care was selected by 66% and the war with Iran by 62%. The survey asked respondents whether each issue was important for the election, rather than whether they supported a particular candidate.
Views of Trump’s performance were also negative in the poll’s all-adult results. Twenty-five percent approved of his handling of the economy, compared with 74% who disapproved. His handling of the cost of living drew 19% approval and 80% disapproval, while 35% approved of his overall job performance and 64% disapproved.
On congressional control, 43% preferred Democrats to lead the House and 34% Republicans; for the Senate, 41% favored Democrats and 36% Republicans. Twenty-two percent were undecided on each chamber. These responses describe preferences in the survey, not projected election results.
The poll found support for major political change: 47% wanted substantial change in how the country is run, while 33% chose “complete and total upheaval.” Together, the two responses accounted for 80% of adults.
The Associated Press (AP) reported that 925 of the 1,119 respondents were registered voters. AP also quoted Diana Walker, a Democrat from Decatur, Georgia, saying, “The world is going backwards. We can barely afford anything.”
A September AP-NORC poll found 71% disapproved of Trump’s handling of Iran, while 69% said the war was not worth fighting. The October survey measured whether the war was an important election issue and asked about Trump’s handling of foreign policy; it did not ask if the conflict was worth fighting.
The October survey interviewed 1,119 adults from Oct. 8-12 and had a margin of sampling error of 3.9 percentage points. NORC used its AmeriSpeak probability-based panel, conducting interviews online or by telephone. The next regularly scheduled federal general election is Nov. 3, 2026, according to the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
