Economy remains dominant midterm voting issue, but abortion grows in importance

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August 23, 2022

Abortion Rises in Importance as a Voting Issue, Driven by Democrats

Economy remains dominant midterm voting issue, but abortion grows in importance

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Economy remains dominant midterm voting issue, but abortion grows in importance

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Abortion Rises in Importance as a Voting Issue, Driven by Democrats
Favorable ratings of Congress little changed since January
Since March, increasing shares of Democrats view abortion, gun policy and Supreme Court appointments as very important to their vote
The economy viewed as top voting issue in midterm elections
More Republican voters would feel relieved than excited if GOP wins House
GOP holds edge among voters who have given ‘a lot’ of thought to midterm elections
Young voters less likely than older voters to say they have given a lot of thought to the midterm election or that it ‘really matters’ which party wins control
An identical share of registered voters as in 2018 say it ‘really matters’ which party wins control of Congress
Many voters who disapprove of Biden – but not strongly – are unsure how they’ll vote in November
Sizable differences by gender, race and ethnicity, age and education in midterm election preferences
About half of Republican voters say they are not confident midterms will be conducted fairly
Fewer voters in both parties now say Biden is a factor in their midterm vote
Republican voters more likely than Democrats to say they have given ‘a lot’ of thought to midterm elections
Economy is top voting issue for GOP voters; Democrats rate several issues as very important, led by health care
Among most demographic groups, more continue to disapprove than approve of Biden’s performance
Majority of public says Biden stands up for his beliefs; only about a third see him as inspiring, mentally sharp
Biden viewed less positively than in 2021 on several personal traits, largely tracking his approval
Modest drop from last year in share of Republicans wanting Trump to remain a national political figure
College graduates, moderates less likely than others in GOP to say Trump should remain a major figure
American Trends Panel recruitment surveys
Invitation and reminder dates
Weighting dimensions
Unweighted sample sizes
Response rates

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ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.

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