cde.news desk · 2 min read
The rising cost of living is expected to dominate Tuesday’s US midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress for the final two years of Donald Trump’s presidency. A Reuters/Ipsos poll of 1,765 US adults, conducted Thursday to Monday, highlights nine key issues.
Cost of living: 48% of registered voters identified living costs as their top concern, ahead of democratic norms (26%) and immigration (13%). Fuel prices have surged since the US-Israeli war with Iran began in February.
Donald Trump: 48% of those voting viewed their ballot as a vote against Trump, compared with 25% voting in his favour. A further 25% said he was not a factor.
Iran: 55% said military action against Iran was not worth the cost, while 25% considered it justified. Another 18% were unsure.
Election integrity: 77% expressed confidence their votes would be counted, although 45% believed voter fraud was widespread.
Household finances: 49% said their finances had worsened since Trump returned to office in January 2025, against 13% who reported improvement. Among Hispanic Americans, 54% said finances had deteriorated.
Transgender sports: 38% considered excluding transgender women and girls from women’s sports a very important or top issue, compared with 25% prioritising transgender rights.
Data centres: 42% said limiting the construction of AI data centres was very important or their top concern.
Mega donors: Majorities of Democrats (93%) and Republicans (71%) considered it inappropriate for billionaires to spend tens of millions of dollars influencing elections.
Political options: Democrats narrowly led Republicans in the congressional vote, but 43% said Democrats had at least some good ideas, compared with 39% for Republicans.
via Reuters
