Voters consistently rank the economy, inflation, and prices—including gas and groceries elevated in part by the US-Israel war with Iran—as their top concerns heading into the 2026 midterms. Surveys and reporting show pocketbook issues dominating, with many Americans expressing disappointment that prices have not been kept low as promised.
How should the federal government address inflation and the high cost of living ahead of and after the 2026 midterms?
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Surveys continue to show voters rank the economy as their top issue, with topics like gas prices, made higher by the US-Israel war with Iran, dominating their concerns.
Hebley said rising costs are likely to follow voters into the voting booth. “I think a lot of folks are struggling,” she said, citing the pressure of paying rent or a mortgage while also buying gas to get to work.
The war, which began in February 2026, has had a profound impact on the U.S. economy, including the aforementioned price of gas increasing to near-record highs. That, in turn, has led to inflated prices for other goods.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
Strongly expand price controls, subsidies, and social spending to directly lower household costs
Increase targeted relief and public investment while keeping moderate regulation of prices
Balance targeted aid with fiscal restraint and monitor inflation without major new programs
Prioritize spending cuts and deregulation to let markets bring prices down
Slash federal spending and taxes sharply and reject most new economic interventions
US war with Iran
The U.S. war with Iran that began in February 2026 has become a central midterm issue. It has driven near-record gas prices and broader inflation, and polls show low approval of how the conflict is being conducted, with some Republican candidates distancing themselves from the president on the war.
What should U.S. policy be regarding the war with Iran?
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As the U.S. war against Iran continued, it became an additional key issue on voters’ minds as they consider their choices in the midterm elections. [...] The July 2026 Washington Post poll showed that 29 percent of Americans approved of how Trump was conducting the war.
Senate candidates Ashley Hinson in Iowa, Jon Husted in Ohio and Mike Rogers in Michigan all recently put daylight between themselves and Trump on the war with Iran.
Republican voter Ajua Mason acknowledged higher prices but argued that voters should consider national security alongside their finances. She defended President Donald Trump’s policies toward Iran, saying she is willing to accept short-term financial pain if the administration ultimately makes the country safer.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
Immediately end U.S. involvement and prioritize diplomacy and de-escalation
Wind down military operations quickly while pursuing negotiated restraints on Iran
Continue current operations but set clear limits and seek multinational off-ramps
Sustain military pressure until Iran’s capabilities are decisively degraded
Escalate force as needed to achieve full victory and regime change if required
Election integrity and democratic processes
Ahead of the 2026 midterms, large shares of Americans report concern about election integrity—including pressure on election officials, ballot handling and security, and voter intimidation near polls. Broader worries about democratic governance, accountability, and acceptance of results are also shaping the political climate, alongside debates over mail-in ballots and other election rules.
What should be done to address concerns about election integrity and democratic processes in U.S. elections?
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Ahead of the 2026 midterms, Americans are concerned about election integrity and democratic processes. Their top concerns include political leaders pressuring election officials to change election outcomes (67% are concerned “a great deal” or “a fair amount”), ballots not being properly handled, counted or secured (57%), and voter intimidation near polling places (52%).
The top threats to be aware of are: 1. Deception via conspiracies and lies from inside the White House; [...] 3. Intimidation at or near polling places — including the threatened presence of ICE or other armed federal agents, which civil-rights groups warn could deter eligible voters;
In Watson v. Republican National Committee (RNC), the Court is considering whether the federal laws establishing Election Day preempt a state law that permits the counting of mail-in ballots that are cast by Election Day but received afterward.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
Expand voting access, ban armed presence at polls, and reject claims of widespread fraud
Strengthen voter access and official independence while modestly improving ballot security
Balance easier voting options with standard audits and clear rules against intimidation
Tighten ID, chain-of-custody, and same-day counting rules to restore confidence
Restrict mail ballots, impose strict ID and citizenship proof, and empower challenges to results
Artificial intelligence regulation
AI has dominated parts of the 2026 election season as voters voice economic and safety concerns, including strong local opposition to AI data centers. Calls for slower development and greater regulation have surfaced, and voters also worry about AI-generated political advertising and its effect on trust in campaigns.
How should the federal government handle artificial intelligence development, data centers, and AI in campaigns?
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The issue of artificial intelligence (AI) also has dominated the 2026 election season, as voters expressed economic and safety concerns about the technology. Polling showed that as many as 7 in 10 Americans opposed the construction of AI data centers in their area. In September the issue of greater regulation of AI came to the fore as Anthropic’s chief executive Dario Amodei issued a call for AI development to slow over growing safety concerns.
Texas independent voter Sandi Hebley said AI-generated political advertising has become a new concern as Republican Ken Paxton faces Democrat James Talarico in a competitive Senate race. “I’d rather hear from the actual people than something that some committee somewhere made up,” Hebley said.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
Impose a development slowdown, strict safety rules, and limits on AI data centers and campaign deepfakes
Require strong safety testing, disclosure of AI ads, and local say over large data centers
Apply moderate federal guidelines on safety and labeling while allowing most AI growth
Light-touch rules focused on fraud only; let markets and states guide AI expansion
Block most new AI regulation and fast-track data centers and unfettered AI deployment
Immigration policy
Immigration ranks among the top voter issues in the 2026 midterms. Traditional strength for Republicans has been complicated by backlash to harsh immigration crackdowns, including actions in early 2026 in Minnesota, which polls suggest have hurt the president and the party’s standing on the issue.
What approach should the U.S. take on immigration enforcement and border policy?
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Key issues in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections include the economy and immigration, which have traditionally been strong issues for Pres. Donald Trump. However, tariff policies and harsh immigration crackdowns, such as the ones seen in early 2026 in Minnesota, have hurt the president and the Republican Party.
Political analysts say the 2026 races could be shaped by issues like the economy, immigration, healthcare, and public trust in government institutions
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
Path to citizenship, sharply limit enforcement, and expand refugee and asylum protections
Pair border security with expanded legal pathways and protections for long-term residents
Maintain current mixed enforcement and legal immigration levels with modest reforms
Increase border enforcement and deportations while tightening asylum and legal entries
Mass deportations, seal the border, and end most asylum and catch-and-release practices
Public trust and corruption
Corruption and eroding public trust in government institutions rank among the issues regularly cited by voters and analysts as shaping the 2026 midterms. Disappointment that core campaign promises have not been delivered, distrust of politicians and parties, and potential congressional investigations into administration dealings all feed this debate.
What should elected leaders prioritize to address public distrust and concerns about corruption?
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Immigration and corruption have also regularly ranked high. “The broad stroke is that Americans are disappointed, bordering on angry that President Trump hasn’t delivered on the core promises he made when he won re-election,” according to Henry Olsen
Winning a majority in the 435-member chamber from Republicans would give the party renewed legislative power to assert leverage over Trump, while launching investigations into his administration’s dealings. Top Democrats have already signalled that probes into Trump’s family business dealings would be top priorities.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
Aggressive ethics laws, independent prosecutors, and full investigations of officials and families
Strengthen disclosure, ethics enforcement, and targeted oversight of conflicts of interest
Enforce existing ethics rules evenly without expanding partisan investigations
Limit investigative fishing expeditions and focus on legislative results over probes
Shield administrations from opposition probes and roll back ethics constraints on executives
Tariff and trade policy
Tariff policies associated with the administration are identified as a factor that has hurt the president and Republicans politically in the lead-up to the 2026 midterms, intersecting with broader economic discontent over prices and the cost of living.
What should U.S. tariff and trade policy look like given its role in 2026 midterm debates?
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However, tariff policies and harsh immigration crackdowns, such as the ones seen in early 2026 in Minnesota, have hurt the president and the Republican Party. Numerous polls have seen the president’s approval rating on these issues fall.
Our team also provides comprehensive updates on the latest on trade and tariffs. [...] assesses economic factors and conditions that could impact the future political landscape in an election year.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
Repeal broad tariffs, return to freer trade, and use targeted aid for affected workers
Scale back sweeping tariffs while negotiating multilateral deals and worker supports
Keep selective tariffs for key industries but avoid wide trade wars
Maintain or expand tariffs to protect domestic industry and pressure trading partners
Maximize tariffs and trade barriers as a primary tool of industrial and foreign policy
Healthcare as a midterm issue
Political analysts identify healthcare alongside the economy, immigration, and trust in institutions as one of the issues that could shape 2026 midterm races nationwide, making it part of the competitive landscape for control of Congress.
What healthcare direction should voters and candidates prioritize in the 2026 midterms?
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