Majority Of Voters Cited Major Issue In Midterm Elections

Exit polls from the 2026 midterm elections showed that the U.S. military campaign against Iran registered as a major factor for a large share of voters. The Voter Poll conducted by SSRS for a consortium of news organizations found that 74 percent of voters described the Iran war as either a crucial or major factor in their decision for Congress.

Of those voters, 62 percent supported Democratic candidates while 35 percent backed Republicans. Among the 34 percent who called the war a “crucial” factor, 70 percent supported Democrats and 27 percent supported Republicans. An additional 40 percent called it a major factor, with 55 percent of them voting Democratic.

Voters who described the war as a minor factor favored Republicans 68 percent to 29 percent. Those who said it was not a factor supported Republicans 74 percent to 22 percent. Roughly six in ten voters overall believed the United States had made the wrong decision in launching military action against Iran.

Among Democratic House voters, opposition to the decision reached 95 percent, while 22 percent of Republican voters also said it was wrong. Pre-election surveys had already shown high concern, with one Fox News poll finding 75 percent of registered voters “extremely” or “very” concerned about the war.

The conflict, which began in late February 2026, has been linked to elevated energy prices. Average gasoline reached $4.12 per gallon on election day, with diesel at $6.28, representing a substantial increase since February. Disruptions involving the Strait of Hormuz contributed to the rise.

Roughly 60 percent of voters in the exit polling blamed President Trump’s policies for higher-than-usual prices. Other data showed majorities viewing the conflict as not worth the costs. Younger voters who had supported Trump in 2024 cited the war alongside economic conditions as reasons for reduced enthusiasm.

The results coincided with Democratic gains that flipped control of both the House and Senate. Republicans lost seats in states that had previously favored the party. Affordability and household costs intersected with views of the war for many voters.

NBC exit polling indicated that 39 percent of voters listed the economy as the single most important issue, followed by the state of democracy at 32 percent. Immigration ranked lower at 14 percent. Eighty-nine percent said affordability was a crucial or major factor in their vote.

Seventy-five percent of voters said the state of the economy was “not so good or poor.” The war with Iran played a crucial or major role for 74 percent of respondents. Concern over gas and diesel prices was high, with 87 percent very or somewhat concerned.

Voters preferred Democrats on most issues except immigration, where Republicans held a narrow edge. Economic pessimism and the costs associated with the Iran campaign shaped many ballots. The exit data underscored the weight of those factors in the midterm outcome.