The upcoming midterm elections are shaping up to be highly competitive, with new insights emerging from a recent CNN poll conducted by SSRS. This survey highlights that the Democratic Party is experiencing a significant enthusiasm advantage, while President Donald Trump’s approval ratings are on the decline as we approach the 2024 elections.
Democrats Gain Momentum Ahead of Midterms
As of now, 47% of registered voters express intent to support Democratic candidates, compared to 42% for Republicans. Interestingly, a larger proportion of voters, 42%, indicate they have ruled out supporting a Republican candidate, in contrast to 35% who feel the same about Democrats.
- 47% of voters favor Democrats if elections were held today.
- 42% support Republican candidates.
- 41% intend to vote against Trump.
Trump’s Approval Ratings at an All-Time Low
President Trump’s approval rating has dropped to 37%, the lowest during his second term. Comparatively, this is closely aligned with his 36% approval rating from the same point in his first term. The disapproval rate has surged to 63%, marking a new high for his presidency.
Voter Sentiments and Key Issues
The poll reflects widespread dissatisfaction among the American public. Key findings include:
- 68% believe the country is heading in the wrong direction.
- 72% rate the economy as poor.
- 61% blame Trump’s policies for worsening economic conditions.
Moreover, the public rates the government shutdown as a crisis (31%) or a major problem (50%), with a substantial 61% disapproving of Trump’s management of the issue.
Democratic Voter Engagement
Democratic voters show a higher motivation to participate in the elections, with 67% expressing strong motivation compared to 46% of Republican voters. Among those who prioritize democracy as their key concern, motivation rises to 82%.
Views on Political Leadership
Americans are critical of both Trump and congressional leaders from both parties. Approximately 58% disapprove of how Congress is handling the shutdown. Additionally, dissatisfaction with Trump’s handling of key issues is prevalent:
- 56% disapprove of his foreign policy.
- 57% believe he has gone too far in deporting immigrants.
With the midterm elections approaching, these sentiments suggest that Democrats may hold a strategic advantage as voter engagement and dissatisfaction with Trump’s administration continue to shape the political landscape.
Poll Methodology
The CNN poll was conducted between October 27 and October 30, involving a random sample of 1,245 adults, including 954 registered voters. The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points for the full sample and ±3.6 points for registered voters.
