Our research below provides messaging guidance for progressives to win key policy debates.
Post-election focus groups with ticket-splitters and lower-motivation voters reveal lack of recall on election outcomes; Voters want leaders in Washington to focus on inflation relief.
Seven in ten Americans express confidence in the midterm elections, with significantly higher confidence among Republicans in 2022 than 2020.
Midterm voters were overwhelmingly pro-choice; Voters say the Supreme Court overturning Roe was more of a reason to vote for Democrats
Americans’ top concerns with a Republican-held House include the future of Social Security and Medicare, abortion bans, overturning elections, and preventing lower drug prices.
Majorities of midterm voters believed neither party had good ideas to address inflation; among those voters, Democrats won by nearly 20 points.
While a majority of voters disapprove of Biden’s job handling, Democratic candidates drew even with Republicans who “somewhat disapproved” of his performance.
Survey of 2022 Midterm Voters: How inflation, jobs and the economy, and abortion drove vote preferences in the midterm elections
Pre-election focus groups reveal key motivators to turnout, including abortion rights and Republican attacks on democracy and the middle class
Abortion rights remain top of mind heading into the midterms; Democrats are more motivated to vote by a proposed nationwide ban
Americans blame supply chain, oil and gas companies most for high gas prices; two in five eligible Americans have applied for student loan forgiveness and had positive experience
Democrats narrowly lead the generic congressional ballot; Three in four say the results of the midterms will have an impact on their lives
A national abortion ban fuels greater opposition to Republicans’ “Commitment to America” Plan
As most Americans are feeling gas prices rise, two in three Americans continue to support the Inflation Reduction Act.
More than three in five Americans continue to support the House investigation into the January 6 attack.
Majorities find a range of arguments about Republicans’ approach to crime and safety to be concerning.
