2026 Midterm Voter Issue Priorities Survey

Thanks for taking a few minutes to share your views ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. This survey is strictly nonpartisan — we're not asking about any candidate or party by name, just the issues and priorities that matter to you. About 5-6 minutes.

For each set shown, pick the issue that matters MOST to your vote and the one that matters LEAST.

• Economy and jobs
• Cost of living and affordability
• Healthcare costs and access
• Immigration and border policy
• Crime and public safety
• Education and schools
• Climate and energy policy
• Government spending and the national debt
• Foreign policy and national security

Compared to a year ago, how would you rate your household's financial situation?

Which single expense has put the most pressure on your household budget in the last 3 months?

• Groceries and food
• Housing (rent or mortgage)
• Gas or transportation
• Healthcare or insurance costs
• Utilities
• Debt payments (credit card, loans)
• None of these have been a major pressure

Ask the respondent to explain, in their own words, why the issue they ranked most important in the previous exercise matters to them right now — anchor on a specific recent event, price, or personal experience rather than abstract values. Probe what would need to change for that issue to feel less urgent, and if they mentioned the economy or cost of living, ask which specific expense worries them most. If they seem torn between two issues, ask them to describe the trade-off they're weighing before voting.

You have 100 points to distribute across these candidate qualities based on how much each one matters when you decide who to vote for. Give more points to what matters more; you can give zero to any quality.

• Experience in government or a relevant field
• Honesty and integrity
• Alignment with my views on key issues
• Willingness to work across party lines
• Clear communication and transparency
• Understanding of local community needs

How likely are you to vote in the November 2026 midterm elections?

In the last two general elections (2022 and 2024), how often did you vote?

• Voted in both
• Voted in one
• Voted in neither
• I was not eligible to vote in one or both

How do you expect to cast your ballot this year, if you vote?

• In person on Election Day
• In person during early voting
• By mail or absentee ballot
• Not sure yet
• I don't plan to vote

Which age range do you fall into?

• 18-24
• 25-34
• 35-44
• 45-54
• 55-64
• 65+
• Prefer not to say

How would you describe your current political affiliation?

• Democrat
• Republican
• Independent
• Other party
• No affiliation / don't identify with a party
• Prefer not to say

What state (or region) do you live in? (Optional — helps us group responses geographically.)

That wraps up the survey — thank you for sharing your perspective. Your answers will be combined with others (never linked to your name) to help understand what issues are shaping voter turnout ahead of the midterms.