How are voters feeling before Election Day?

Summary of How are voters feeling before Election Day?

by NPR

17m•October 27, 2026
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Overview of How are voters feeling before Election Day?

In this NPR Politics Podcast episode, the hosts break down the latest NPR-PBS News Marist poll and voter interviews to gauge the mood heading into Election Day. The big picture: Democrats have an edge in the generic congressional ballot, voters remain focused on cost of living and democracy, and enthusiasm appears stronger on the Democratic side — but Republicans are gaining attention late, and the outcome still depends heavily on who actually shows up to vote.

Main Poll Takeaways

  • Democrats lead by 8 points among likely voters on the generic congressional ballot.
  • Among registered voters, the Democratic lead is 10 points.
  • Trump’s approval is slightly higher among likely voters than registered voters:
    • 38% approval among registered voters
    • 40% among likely voters
  • The poll suggests Democrats are still favored to win the House, though gains may be limited by the GOP-friendly terrain of many competitive races.

Top Issues on Voters’ Minds

The transcript emphasizes that the same core concerns have persisted for months:

Most important issues

  • Cost of living / affordability: just over a third of likely voters say this is their top issue.
  • Preserving democracy: about a third rank this second.
  • Immigration: around 21%.
  • Foreign policy: about 12%.
  • Health care: about 5%.

What voters are really reacting to

  • Many voters are frustrated by high prices, especially for:
    • groceries
    • gas
    • diesel
  • Some voters connect economic pain to Trump-era policies, while others previously blamed Biden-era policies.
  • “Corruption” is emerging as an increasingly important sub-theme, especially tied to distrust of Washington and both political parties.

Enthusiasm and Turnout Dynamics

  • Midterms usually have lower turnout than presidential elections, but enthusiasm matters a lot.
  • The poll shows a Democratic enthusiasm advantage:
    • 71% of Democrats say they are very enthusiastic to vote
    • 61% of Republicans say the same
  • Democrats also show the stronger “very enthusiastic” intensity, which is often the best predictor of turnout.

Warning sign for Democrats

Some key Democratic-leaning groups are less enthusiastic than expected:

  • voters under 45
  • Gen Z and millennials
  • white college-educated women

These groups are still important because they tend to vote at higher rates in midterms.

What the Poll Says About Change

A notable finding: a majority of voters prefer a candidate who represents change and new ideas over one with a long, proven record.

That fits with the broader anti-status-quo mood:

  • Many voters are unhappy with the current state of politics.
  • Democrats and Republicans alike are trying to harness frustration with “business as usual.”
  • The hosts interpret this as another sign of a possible rebuke of the party in power.

Voter Interviews and What They Reveal

The episode uses real voter conversations to show how messy and mixed public opinion is.

A Democratic-leaning Texas voter

  • One voter said this election feels like a referendum against the party in power.
  • He is motivated more by opposition to Republicans than by pure enthusiasm for Democrats.

A North Carolina independent

  • Another voter said he is not happy with Trump, but also uneasy about Democrats.
  • His concern about Democratic socialism and the party’s left wing pushed him toward the Republican candidate in his Senate race.
  • This was used to show how national party narratives can influence local races.

Why Democrats Still Have Reasons to Worry

Even with the lead, there are signs that Democrats may not be headed for a huge wave:

  • The gap in who is paying close attention to the election has closed.
    • Republicans are now paying more attention than they were a month ago.
  • That matters because many key races are in Republican-leaning districts and states.
  • Democrats are also showing some anxiety:
    • 98% would vote for the Democrat on the ballot
    • but only 81% think Democrats will actually win

That drop suggests uncertainty, especially in the House.

Why Republicans Should Be Worried

The transcript highlights several red flags for Republicans:

  • Trump remains deeply unpopular with a majority of voters.
  • The poll’s anti-Trump intensity is extremely high:
    • 53% strongly oppose the job Trump is doing
  • In midterms, the party out of power often benefits from higher energy and turnout.
  • Historical context matters: in 18 of the last 20 post–World War II elections, the party in the White House lost House seats.

Key Framing From the Hosts

Domenico Montanaro’s read

  • Democrats are still favored, but the size of their gains may be limited.
  • Republicans are starting to engage more, which could blunt a Democratic wave.

Elena Moore’s read

  • The poll reflects a broader public desire for change.
  • Voters are angry, but not necessarily aligned in a simple partisan way.
  • The interviews show how local races are shaped by national narratives and intraparty tensions.

Bottom Line

The episode paints a picture of an electorate driven by:

  • economic frustration
  • distrust of institutions
  • desire for change

Democrats appear to have the advantage in turnout energy and ballot preference, but Republicans are not out of the fight. The hosts’ central message is that this election is still highly dependent on who shows up, especially in competitive districts and states where turnout differences could decide the result.