In a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, Democrats were more energized about 2026 elections. But the party is still polling behind on a key voter issue.
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President Donald Trump‘s approval rating held steady in a new poll, while Democrats expressed enthusiasm over the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.
In a six-day Reuters/Ipsos poll released Nov. 13, the president had a 40% approval rating − similar to figures seen over the past few months − and a 58% disapproval rating. The numbers are not far off from several recent surveys: The president’s average rating is 41% approval and a 55% disapproval, according to a New York Times calculation. RealClearPolitics’ Nov. 13 average is similar, at a 42% approval and a 54% disapproval.
While the president’s numbers continue their months-long plateau, largely buoyed by strong Republican support, Democrats appear to be largely energized about next year’s elections, according to the poll. Democrats seized on that frustration in last week’s Nov. 4 election, when the party won key races across the country on platforms that focused on economic concerns including housing, jobs and energy prices.
The survey, which questioned 938 registered voters on Nov. 7 to 12, has a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.
More Democrats very enthusiastic about 2026 than Republicans
More than 4 in 10 Democratic respondents said they were either “very enthusiastic” about voting next year, compared to 26% of Republicans. On the opposite end, 26% of Democrats and 34% of Republicans in the poll said they felt “neutral” about the 2026 midterms, while between 7% and 8% from either party said they were “very unenthusiastic.”
Some 79% of Democrats said they would regret it if they didn’t vote in the election, compared with 68% of Republicans.
When asked who they would vote for in congressional elections if the election were held today, neither party stood at a clear advantage. Forty-one percent of registered voters said they’d pick the Democratic candidate, and 40% said they would go for the Republican candidate − a difference that falls within the poll’s margin of error.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll is also the latest to indicate a growing frustration with Trump and his administration over the economy, cost-of-living and inflation. In the poll, 45% said cost-of-living was the most important factor influencing who they would vote for. But respondents didn’t identify one party as better equipped to solve the issue, as 38% said Democrats had a better plan, and 36% said Republicans had the edge.
Conversely, Republicans led Democrats by 2 points − 40% to 38% − when survey respondents were asked to pick which party was better positioned to manage the U.S. economy. Though Democrats fall a few points behind their GOP rivals, they have closed the gap in recent months: In September, Democrats were trailing by 13 points on the economy.
The figures come after an NBC News poll released on Nov. 9, which showed opinion has soured on the administration’s handling of the economy and a boost of energy among Democrats over the prospect of a Democrat-controlled Congress next year.
Contributing: Reuters.
Kathryn Palmer is a politics reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr.
