Poll: Most voters agree the 2026 midterms are all about Trump — and they disapprove

Voters cast their ballots on Sept. 18, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. Tom Brenner/Getty Images hide caption

By a 12-point margin, registered voters say they'd prefer to elect a Democrat to Congress over a Republican, according to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll .

The poll finds more voters think Democrats would do a better job dealing with gas prices, the economy, and foreign policy than Republicans amid rising prices and the war in Iran. A majority also say it is more important to back candidates with new ideas who will bring about change than those with experience and a proven record.

President Trump continues to sit at near record low approval ratings, with just 39% approving of his job and the highest share of strong disapproval — 53% — since the question was first asked in 2017.

In the final weeks of the 2026 campaign, Democrats have a notable edge in voter enthusiasm and support from independents as a building wave of backlash to the party in power comes into focus.

The survey of 1,280 respondents was conducted September 14-15 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.8 percentage points, meaning results could be about 3.8 points higher or lower. Respondents were reached by live caller, text and online.

"I'm asking you to pretend that I'm on the ballot," Trump told Republicans at an unprecedented midterm convention in Dallas earlier this month. Many voters seem to have taken Trump's insistence to heart.

A plurality of voters (45%) say their choice for Congress is a vote against President Trump, including four in five Democrats and about half of independents. About a quarter of voters — including 59% of Republicans and 51% of Trump 2024 voters — say their vote is about supporting the president.