A fresh bipartisan survey reveals deep voter discontent with the country's direction and a notable Democratic advantage in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
The poll, conducted by Cygnal and Impact Research for the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) Action and American Policy Ventures, surveyed 1,500 likely voters between September 1-2. It found that 60.5% of respondents believe the country is “mostly” or “definitely” on the wrong track, while only 36.2% say it is headed in the right direction. Another 3.3% were unsure.
In a hypothetical 2026 congressional matchup, 50.7% of respondents said they would probably or definitely vote for a Democratic candidate, compared to 42.1% who would back a Republican. The remaining 7.2% were undecided.
The economy and affordability are dominating voter concerns, with frustration over rising gas prices, grocery costs, and inflation exacerbated by the ongoing conflict with Iran. These issues are already reshaping the political landscape, as sky-high fuel costs and the Iran conflict widen the Senate map, potentially endangering the GOP's majority.
Two-thirds of respondents (66.6%) said that, given what they pay in taxes, the federal government is doing “somewhat too little” or “way too little” to help families raising children. Only 14.7% believe the government is doing the right amount, while 10.5% say it is doing too much.
The survey also identified the issues causing the most stress for voters: healthcare and insurance costs, groceries and food, and rent or mortgage payments. Parents raising children reported the most pressure from housing costs, while elderly and disability caregivers cited healthcare expenses as their top burden.
Liam deClive-Lowe, president of American Policy Ventures, said in a statement that the poll demonstrates broad bipartisan support for family-support policies. “Too often, Members of Congress face political backlash for working across the aisle,” he said. “But this poll shows that policies to support families have widespread backing across the political spectrum. The lawmakers who are leading on these issues have an opportunity to help break through the rising tide of polarization through concrete policy results that help American families.”
Michele Stockwell, president of BPC Action, echoed that sentiment, arguing that “the cost of raising a family is not a partisan issue.” She added, “Two-thirds of voters say the federal government is doing too little, and majorities of Republicans, Independents, and Democrats want solutions. That is a mandate to act.”
The findings come as lawmakers face pressure to address economic anxieties, with some Democrats calling for measures like tariff refunds for consumers following a court ruling. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are demanding disclosure of Iran war spending, adding to the political friction over foreign policy and fiscal priorities.
As the 2026 cycle heats up, these numbers suggest that economic issues and the cost of living will remain central battlegrounds, with voters looking for concrete policy results that ease their financial burdens.
