With less than four weeks until Election Day, a new Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that about half of registered voters want substantial change and roughly 3 in 10 want complete and total upheaval in how the country is run. The survey, conducted Oct. 8-12, interviewed 1,119 adults, including 925 registered voters.
Overall, a combined 80% of registered voter respondents said they want either substantial change or complete and total upheaval in the way the country is run, according to the poll [1]. A strong majority of voters believe President Donald Trump is falling short at home and abroad, and they want major change in the upcoming midterm elections [2].
The findings point to broad dissatisfaction with the current direction of national politics, even as voters remain divided over which party should control Congress, according to the survey [3].
Democratic Voters More Enthusiastic; Congressional Preference Favors Democrats
The enthusiasm gap emerges as Republicans defend narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress in the Nov. 3 elections, according to Reuters reporting on a separate survey [4].
An AP-NORC poll finds that voters are deeply dissatisfied with President Donald Trump and his Republican Party heading into the Nov. 3 elections, and the Democratic Party has built an advantage [5].
Ryan Longbrake, a 52-year-old Democrat from Columbus, Ohio, told AP he believes "there is change on the horizon" and pointed to Democratic momentum in Ohio's governor and U.S. Senate races. Democrats are seeking to capitalize on favorability ratings that fell below 40% for Republicans in the latest RealClearPolitics summary of polling, according to political analysts [6]. In Georgia, more than 188,600 residents cast ballots on the opening day of early voting, a record turnout for the first day, according to the Georgia Secretary of State's office [7].
Voters Across Parties Report Desire for Major Change in Washington
About half of voters say they want substantial change, and roughly 3 in 10 want complete and total upheaval in the way the country is run, according to AP-NORC [8]. The poll found that about 8 in 10 registered voters disapprove of how Trump is handling the cost of living, in line with a September AP-NORC poll [9].
Krista Kohles, a 70-year-old Republican from near Davey, Nebraska, told AP, "I'm kind of tired of sending people there and nothing gets done."
Separately, a Center Square Voters' Voice Poll found that 20% of registered voters named inflation or price increases as the single most important issue facing the country, and 41% ranked it among their top three concerns [10]. A majority of American voters, 58%, said U.S. consumers ultimately pay most of the cost of tariffs through higher prices, while the White House says foreign exporters do, according to the same poll [11].
Trump's Approval on Economy, Cost of Living and Iran War Draws Disapproval
The results are in line with an August Reuters/Ipsos poll that found Trump's overall approval rating at 33%, the lowest level of his presidency, with 64% of respondents disapproving of his performance [12].
Among Arizona registered voters, Trump had a net approval rating of negative 19, with 39% approving of his job performance and 58% disapproving, according to a Noble Predictive Insights poll [13].
The war began with U.S. strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, and Trump has said there is "no time frame" for ending the conflict, directly contradicting his earlier promises of a quick four-to-five-week war, according to reporting from April [14][15]. An AP-NORC poll conducted in July found that about two-thirds of U.S. adults said the war with Iran has not been worthwhile, and Trump's approval on handling the conflict stood at 28% [16].
DonnaJean Weber, a 72-year-old Republican from Manistee, Michigan, told AP she will continue to support Republican candidates but is unhappy with the economy and tariffs under Trump. About seven in 10 Americans say Trump's handling of the cost of living has been "worse than expected," including roughly half of Republicans, according to an AP-NORC poll released in early October [17].
Views of Both Parties Are Mixed; Vance Draws More Negative Than Positive Opinions
The survey found that voters are deeply dissatisfied with President Donald Trump and his Republican Party heading into the Nov. 3 elections, with Democrats building a clear advantage on issues like the cost of living and healthcare [18][19].
Michael Russo, a 51-year-old Texas voter not registered with either party, described the state of the country under Republican control as "a nightmare" but said he is not confident Democrats will act if they gain power. Despite the polls, Vice President JD Vance said Republicans have "as good a chance as I've ever seen" to defy historical trends and maintain control of Congress [20].
Conclusion
The findings indicate challenges for Republicans as they seek to maintain control of Congress amid cost-of-living concerns and the war in Iran, according to the report [21].
With Republicans' majority in both the House and the Senate at stake in November, opinion polling suggests the economy dominates Americans' thinking as Election Day -- Nov. 3 -- looms [22].
References
- Most in new poll want major change in midterms - The Hill. https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6151451-ap-norc-midterm-poll/
- Frustrated with Trump, voters overwhelmingly want change in Washington .... https://apnews.com/article/2026-midterms-trump-approval-economy-change-election-e12dd9b19013c75a3d4ede01c1b9d0c3
- AP-NORC poll finds voters want major change in Washington and view .... https://www.breakingnownews.com/ap-norc-poll-finds-voters-want-major-change-in-washington-and-view-trump-as-falling-short-432270
- Reuters/Ipsos Poll: Trump Voters Show Lower Enthusiasm for Midterm Elections. https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-10-10-trump-voters-show-lower-enthusiasm-for-midterm-elections.html
- Voters favor Democrats on key issues but lack faith in either party to .... https://www.seattlepi.com/news/politics/voters-favor-democrats-on-key-issues-but-lack-a22460799
- These Are The Top Races To Watch This Midterm. https://www.zerohedge.com/political/these-are-top-races-watch-midterm
- On First Day of Early Voting in Georgia, Residents Show Up in Droves, Setting Record Turnout. https://theepochtimes.com/us/on-first-day-of-early-voting-in-georgia-residents-show-up-in-droves-setting-record-turnout-6103886
- Frustrated With Trump, Voters Overwhelmingly Want .... https://www.gfmreview.com/islamic-finance/frustrated-with-trump-voters-overwhelmingly-want-change-in-washington-an-ap-norc-poll-finds
- Frustrated with Trump, voters overwhelmingly want change in Washington .... https://www.decaturdaily.com/news/other_news/elections/frustrated-with-trump-voters-overwhelmingly-want-change-in-washington-an-ap-norc-poll-finds/article_75b1d650-3812-4672-82c3-2e958eade281.html
- Poll: Inflation still tops voters' concerns before midterms. https://justthenews.com/nation/states/center-square/poll-inflation-still-tops-voters-concerns-midterms?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators
- Poll: Majority of Americans say U.S. consumers pay tariff costs. https://justthenews.com/nation/states/center-square/poll-majority-americans-say-us-consumers-pay-tariff-costs?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators
- Trump Approval Falls to 33%, Lowest of Presidency, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds - NaturalNews.com, August 18, 2026.
- Poll: Trump’s approval rating falls further among Arizonans. https://justthenews.com/nation/states/center-square/poll-trumps-approval-rating-falls-further-among-arizonans?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators
- Trump says no time frame for Iran war as ceasefire stalls oil prices surge - NaturalNews.com, April 23, 2026.
- Victory by November? How a “defeated” Iran became Trump’s midterm bargaining chip. https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-10-02-victory-by-november-how-a-defeated-iran-became-trumps-midterm-bargaining-chip.html
- AP NORC poll: Two thirds of US adults say Iran war not worthwhile; Trump approval on handling at 28% - NaturalNews.com, July 31, 2026.
- AP-NORC Poll: Most Americans Blame Trump for High Prices as Economic Approval Hits New Low. https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-10-02-poll-most-americans-blame-trump-high-costs.html
- AP-NORC Poll: Voters Favor Democrats on Key Issues but Doubt Either .... https://political.org/2026/10/03/ap-norc-poll-voters-favor-democrats-on-issues-but-doubt-either-party-can-deliver/
- Voters favor Democrats on key issues but lack ... - The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/10/03/democrats-republicans-trump-midterms-prices-healthcare-congress/d4047f58-bf24-11f1-81fc-9b76f8343b6c_story.html
- Despite the polls, VP Vance thinks GOP has 'real chance' of holding House and Senate. https://justthenews.com/nation/states/center-square/vance-thinks-gop-has-real-chance-holding-house-and-senate?utm_source=justthenews.com&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=external-news-aggregators
- Poll Finds Overwhelming Demand for Change in Washington as Voter .... https://www.news-age.com/poll-finds-overwhelming-demand-for-change-in-washington-as-voter-frustration-with-trump-grows/
- 6 Things to Know About the Midterms One Month Before Election Day. https://theepochtimes.com/us/6-things-to-know-about-the-midterms-one-month-before-election-day-6099040
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