CBS Exit Polls Show How Democrats Turned Economic Concerns Into 2026 Midterm Election Gains
Economic views shifted votes
Economic issues that helped President Trump win in 2024 became a liability for his party in 2026, according to CBS News exit polls. Voters with a negative view of the economy supported Democratic candidates for the House.
Majorities in key voter groups said the cost of living was crucial to their decisions. Voters also gave Democrats an advantage over Republicans on the economy, indicating expectations for results.
A vote on Trump
The election amounted to a referendum on Mr. Trump, with voters largely rejecting his policies, the article reports. Most men, who had backed Trump by double digits in 2024, now disapproved of his performance; those disapproving voters supported Democrats. The electorate was unhappy with the country’s direction and the economy, and had limited optimism about the next generation.
Democrats gained key support
The national electorate leaned slightly more Democratic than in the previous two elections, a shift that helped the party. Its lead among independent voters was especially important to its success.
More than half of voters viewed the Democratic Party unfavorably. Even so, voters rated Democrats more positively than Republicans on the economy, raising expectations that the party will produce results.
Key points
- Voters who said the economy was bad favored Democrats for the House.
- Majorities in key groups said the cost of living was crucial to their vote.
- Democrats’ lead among independents helped put them over the top.
- More than half of voters had an unfavorable view of the Democratic Party.