Early CBS News exit poll data for the 2026 midterm elections reveal a sour national mood, low presidential approval ratings, and deep economic anxiety across the United States. Voters headed to the polls amid persistent concerns regarding the cost of living, government corruption, and the general direction of the country.
President Trump Approval Rating and Midterms Impact
President Trump is currently tracking toward the lowest approval rating for a sitting president during a midterm election, sitting at 38% in early exit polls. This figure sits lower than his numbers during his first term and drops below George W. Bush's approval rating in 2006 when his party lost both houses of Congress.
Midterm elections traditionally serve as a referendum on the sitting president, and the 2026 cycle is proving to be no exception. Roughly six in 10 voters indicate that Mr. Trump is a factor in their vote for the House of Representatives. This trend is driven largely by voters backing Democrats, who are overwhelmingly motivated by opposition to Mr. Trump. For Republicans, the dynamics differ: while most MAGA Republicans state their vote is to support the president, most non-MAGA Republicans say he is not a factor in their decision.
Voter Mood and Economic Anxiety
The general electorate's mood is notably unhappy, with roughly three-quarters of voters reporting they are at least dissatisfied with the direction of the country. Economic anxiety persists, and more voters express negative views of the economy now than they did two years ago, bringing figures more in line with the 2022 midterms when the party in power lost seats.
Financial strain is evident in voters' pocketbooks, as they are more than twice as likely to say their personal finances are worse rather than better. Key metrics from the early exit data include:
- Cost of living concerns: Voters across all political parties express anxiety about affording gas, groceries, and utilities.
- Inflation hardship: For two consecutive elections, most voters report that inflation caused hardship for their family, with about one in five describing that hardship as severe.
- Top issues: When asked to pick their most important issue from a list, the economy comes out on top nationally, followed closely by the state of democracy.
- Party priorities: Democrats heavily prioritize the state of democracy and government corruption, while Republicans place their primary focus on the economy followed by immigration.
Georgia Senate Race and Battleground Dynamics
In the Georgia Senate race, Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff is performing very well with Black voters as he defends his seat against GOP Representative Mike Collins. Ossoff is currently on pace to win roughly the same share of the Black vote as he secured during his 2021 runoff election, while also making early inroads with White voters.
Across nearly all Senate battleground states, Mr. Trump's job approval rating is underwater, including in states he won by double digits in 2024. Furthermore, majorities of voters in Senate battlegrounds report that their finances are worse compared to previous years, and control of the Senate remains a major factor in voters' minds regardless of party affiliation.
Emerging Issues, Foreign Policy, and Voter Confidence
Beyond domestic economics, voters weighed in on several emerging issues and foreign policy decisions. While the war with Iran ranks lower on the priority list than the cost of living, the military conflict remains widely unpopular. Most voters believe the U.S. made the wrong decision to take military action against Iran, a sentiment shared by about a quarter of Republicans.
Locally and socially, majorities of voters in all Senate battlegrounds oppose the construction of a data center in their community, and more voters view artificial intelligence as a force that does more to harm society than to help it. Regarding election administration, large majorities express confidence that their votes will be counted accurately nationwide and in their states, though Republican voters remain far less confident that ineligible voters will be successfully prevented from casting ballots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is President Trump's approval rating in the 2026 exit polls?
President Trump's job approval rating stands at 38% in early exit polls, marking the lowest approval rating for a president in a midterm election.
How are voters feeling about the economy and cost of living?
Roughly three-quarters of voters are dissatisfied with the direction of the country, and voters are more than twice as likely to say their finances are worse rather than better due to ongoing inflation and the high cost of gas, groceries, and utilities.
How is Democrat Jon Ossoff performing in the Georgia Senate race?
Jon Ossoff is performing very well with Black voters, tracking on pace to win roughly the same share as his 2021 runoff, while also making early inroads with White voters against GOP Representative Mike Collins.