Poll Shows Democrats Ahead as Voters Reject Trump and the Economic Mess
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A recent NBC News poll shows Democrats with a solid lead heading into the midterms, driven by deep voter frustration with President Donald Trump and the economy he oversees.
A new national NBC News poll reveals that registered voters prefer a Democratic-controlled Congress by a 7-point margin, with Democrats leading Republicans 52% to 45%. That is a 2-point gain from the previous month, and it includes a striking 21-point lead among independents. The poll, conducted from October 28 to October 30, shows that 3% of voters are still undecided, a small but potentially decisive share in closely fought House and Senate races.
Even with Democrats holding the advantage, the broader picture is not especially comforting. Voters are almost evenly split on which party handles key issues better, and the Democratic Party itself remains unpopular. President Trump's disapproval rating has climbed to 60%, while only 40% approve of his performance. Economic frustration is widespread, with about 75% of voters saying they are unhappy with current economic conditions, and nearly two-thirds calling for a change in direction.
Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt said many voters feel Trump has fallen short of what they expected, with 64% expressing disappointment. In addition, 70% say the country is headed in the wrong direction, a sharp rise from the previous year. Voters say inflation and the cost of living matter most, followed by government corruption and immigration.
Democrats do have an edge among highly engaged voters, with 70% saying they are very interested in the election. Still, the Republican Party retains support in districts Trump won in 2024. Trump's approval ratings have also dropped among important groups, including white voters without college degrees and younger voters.
The poll also points to a lack of real enthusiasm for either party, with only 29% viewing the Democratic Party positively compared with 38% for the Republican Party. Many voters seem to want a transfer of power more than they want to embrace either side. A Texas voter who once supported Trump said, "Republicans have proven that they are not to be trusted. So I would rather see the balance of power shift."
The NBC News poll surveyed 1,000 registered voters and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.