Price concerns drive AP-NORC data as Great Lakes voters weigh economic strain
Polling shows 35% approve of Trump's job performance, with 25% backing his economic handling, as tariffs and costs top the ballot in key races.
By Pablo Kuznetsov ·
Election Day has arrived for voters across the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley, with polls opening in Ohio at 6:30 a.m. and in Michigan at 7:00 a.m. local time. The Associated Press describes the midterm election as a referendum on President Donald Trump's second term, noting that many voters are struggling with high prices. This economic anxiety is central to the national narrative as the country decides who will control Congress for the final two years of the administration. The stakes are high, with Republicans holding 218 House seats and Democrats 214, meaning Democrats need a net gain of three districts to secure a majority in the lower chamber. In the Senate, Republicans hold 53 seats, and Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control, a hurdle that makes every vote in battleground states critical.
New polling data from the AP-NORC survey provides a clear snapshot of the current political mood. The results indicate that 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance, while only 25 percent approve of his handling of the economy. Furthermore, about seven in ten adults say the country is heading in the wrong direction, with most blaming the president for high prices. These figures suggest that economic dissatisfaction is a driving force for many voters, particularly in the open seats up for election in states like Michigan, where Gary Peters is retiring. The AP notes that the AP-NORC numbers are one poll among many, but they align with the broader trend of voters focusing on the cost of living over other issues.
In Michigan, polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m., with voters facing a Senate race and an open governor's seat. The AP has identified the Michigan Senate race as a toss-up to lean Democratic, a rating shared by other major polling firms. The matchup features Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers against Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. On Sunday, El-Sayed's former primary opponent Haley Stevens endorsed Rogers, adding a layer of complexity to the race. The state is also deciding a new governor, with Republicans holding the office currently. The AP has cited economic strain and tariffs as factors making the state competitive, highlighting how national policy issues are influencing local ballot choices in this key industrial state.
Across the region in Ohio, polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. The state has no governor race on the ballot this year, but it is deciding a special Senate election. The race pits Democratic former Sen. Sherrod Brown against Republican Sen. Jon Husted. Husted is seeking to retain the seat that was originally elected in 2022 for the term associated with JD Vance. The AP notes that Ohio is using a new congressional map following mid-decade redistricting, which could impact the dynamics of the House races in the state. Republicans are bracing to lose the House but are fighting to hold the Senate, with one or two seats potentially tipping the balance in either chamber.
Voter sentiment in these regions reflects the national data. James Moore, a 57-year-old librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, told the Associated Press that he is paying more taxes, more for healthcare, and more for everything. His comments mirror the findings in the AP-NORC poll, where high prices are a top concern. In contrast, Mark Barker of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, said he has been following Trump and thinks he is doing an awesome job. These differing perspectives illustrate the divided electorate, with some voters prioritizing the president's overall performance while others focus on the tangible effects of inflation and tariffs on their daily lives.
In Kentucky, polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. The state is deciding an open Senate seat after Joni Ernst announced her retirement. The AP rates the race as a toss-up or tilt Republican, given the state's strong support for Trump in 2024. There is no governor race in Kentucky this year, which shifts the focus entirely to the federal ballot. The state's vote will be part of a larger national effort to determine whether the Republican majority in the Senate can be maintained or if Democrats can achieve the four-seat gain needed for control.
West Virginia voters are casting their ballots between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. local time. The state is holding a Senate race where incumbent Shelley Moore Capito is seeking re-election. Republicans hold the majority of Senate seats, and holding West Virginia is part of their strategy to prevent a Democratic takeover. The AP notes that Republicans have tried to beat the typical midterm pattern, where a president's party almost always loses seats, through redistricting and strong fundraising efforts. However, new districts in states like Florida and Ohio may not vote exactly as drawn, adding uncertainty to the final tallies.
The AP reports that more than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote totals from four years ago in many closely watched states. This high level of early participation suggests a strong turnout, which RNC Chairman Joe Gruters says is essential for a Republican victory. He stated that everything depends on turnout and that if they turn out their voters, they win. Democratic Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene countered that the American people are angry and want change, pointing to the economic frustrations highlighted in the polling data. The money spent on the 2026 elections is likely to be the most in history, with Republican committees outraising and outspending their Democratic counterparts at the national level.
