Democrats hold a nine-point lead over Republicans among likely voters just one week before the US midterm elections, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll. The results suggest that Republicans could face a difficult battle to maintain control of Congress on November 3.
The survey, conducted from October 22 to 26, found that 53 percent of likely voters support Democratic candidates, compared with 44 percent who favor Republicans.
President Donald Trump’s approval rating stands at just 32 percent, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with his administration, particularly over rising living costs and the economy.
Rising Costs Put Pressure on Trump’s Republicans
Economic concerns are shaping voter preferences ahead of the US midterm elections, with Americans increasingly frustrated by inflation, gasoline prices and household expenses.
According to the Reuters/Ipsos survey, 73 percent of respondents believe the cost of living is moving in the wrong direction.
The poll also found that 37 percent of voters trust Democrats more to manage the economy, compared with 33 percent who favor Republicans.
Trump’s approval ratings on economic issues are even lower than his overall job approval. Just 25 percent of Americans approve of his handling of the economy, while only 20 percent approve of his approach to the cost of living.
Democratic voters also appear more motivated to participate in the upcoming elections. The survey found that 46 percent of Democrats are very enthusiastic about voting, compared with 30 percent of Republicans.
Control of Congress Hangs in the Balance
The November 3 elections will determine whether Republicans retain their majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Political analysts believe Democrats have a strong opportunity to regain control of the House, although winning the Senate is expected to be considerably more difficult.
Among registered voters, Democrats lead Republicans by 47 percent to 36 percent before accounting for undecided voters. When respondents leaning toward either party are included, the gap narrows to nine percentage points, with Democrats ahead 50 percent to 41 percent.
A Democratic victory in either chamber could significantly complicate Trump’s legislative agenda during the final two years of his presidency.
Despite the Democrats’ national polling advantage, the outcome remains uncertain. Congressional elections are decided through individual state and district races, meaning nationwide polling figures do not necessarily translate into the same distribution of seats.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll surveyed 1,679 American adults, including 1,280 registered voters. The margin of error was approximately three percentage points among registered voters.
With Election Day approaching, the results indicate that economic dissatisfaction and voter enthusiasm could play major roles in determining the balance of power in Washington.
