November 19, 2025
A Look to the 2026 Midterms, November 2025
Democrats with Double-Digit Lead on 2026 Generic Ballot
The Democrats currently have a 14-point lead against the Republicans among registered voters nationally on the 2026 generic congressional ballot question. This has changed considerably. Since 2022, voters have divided about which party’s candidate they would support. Asked at the tail end of the nation’s longest government shutdown, a plurality of Americans say they place most of the blame for the shutdown on congressional Democrats. However, President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans do not walk away unscathed, with six in ten blaming either the President or the GOP in Congress.
A majority of registered voters nationally (55%) say they would support the Democratic candidate for Congress in their district, if the 2026 congressional elections were held today. 41% would support the Republican, and 3% would back another candidate. Among independents, the Democrats (61%) have a +33-point advantage over the Republicans (28%).
This is the first time in more than three years that Democrats have had a notable advantage on the congressional generic ballot question. When last asked in November of 2024, registered voters divided, 48% to 48%. The last time the Democrats had a noteworthy advantage on this question was in June of 2022 when the Democrats were +7 among registered voters.
39% of Americans blame the Democrats in Congress for the government shutdown. 34% place responsibility on President Trump, and 26% blame congressional Republicans.
While 80% of Republicans blame congressional Democrats, 49% of Democrats blame President Trump. An additional 40% of Democrats point a finger at the Republicans in Congress. Among independents, 41% blame President Trump; 32% blame the Republicans in Congress, and 27% blame the congressional Democrats.
President Trump's job approval rating among Americans is 39%, down slightly from 41% in September. 56% of Americans disapprove of the job the President is doing in office. This compares with 53%, previously.
26% of Americans say they strongly approve of the job President Trump is doing while 48% strongly disapprove.
Nearly Six in Ten Say Trump Administration Should Focus on Lowering Prices
When thinking about the issue that should be the Trump Administration’s top priority, Americans weigh in as follows:
- Lowering prices: 57%
- Controlling immigration: 16%
- Reducing crime: 9%
- Ending the war between Ukraine and Russia: 7%
- Maintaining peace between Israel and Gaza: 6%
- Eliminating drug traffic from Latin America: 4%
Democrats (69%) and independents (62%) perceive lowering prices to be the key issue for the administration. Among Republicans, a plurality (40%) agree that lowering prices should be the Trump Administration’s top priority. Controlling immigration (34%) also ranks highly on the priority list for Republicans.
Americans More Likely to Perceive Republicans as More Closed-Minded than Democrats
When discussing politics with Republicans, 60% of Americans say members of the GOP are mostly closed-minded rather than mostly open-minded (39%). However, Americans divide about whether Democrats are mostly open-minded (51%) or mostly closed-minded (48%) when discussing politics. Among independents, 69% say Republicans are mostly closed-minded when having political discussions. A majority of independents (53%) think Democrats demonstrate a more open-minded approach to political discourse than a closed-minded (46%) one.
Majorities of Americans believe that both Republicans (55%) and Democrats (58%) are mostly honest when they talk politics. Among independents, though, Democrats are perceived to be more honest (63%) than dishonest (36%) when engaging in political discourse. Independents consider Republicans to be more dishonest (54%) than honest (45%).
Trust in U.S. Institutions Remains Low
Majorities of Americans have not very much or no confidence at all in most U.S. institutions.
- 38% of Americans have either a great deal of confidence or quite a lot of confidence in the Presidency. However, 61% have not very much or no confidence at all in the institution.
- When thinking about the Supreme Court, 38% of Americans have confidence in the High Court. 62% have little to none.
- 35% have either a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the Republican Party. 65% have not very much or no confidence at all in them.
- The Democratic Party receives the confidence of 29% of Americans. However, 71% have not very much or no confidence at all in the Democratic Party.
- Only 25% of Americans have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the media. 75% of residents nationally have little to no trust in the media.
- Congress scores the lowest. 20% of Americans have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in Congress. 80% have not very much or no confidence at all in the legislature.
Perceptions of Congress, the Republican Party, and the U.S. Supreme Court have changed little. However, Americans express less confidence in the Democratic Party and the media when compared with two years ago. Confidence in the Presidency has also seen a decline since 2018.
Methodology
This NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll national survey of 1,443 adults was conducted November 10th through November 13th, 2025, by the Marist Poll in partnership with NPR and PBS News. Adults 18 years of age and older residing in the United States were contacted through a multi-mode design: By phone using live interviewers, by text, or online. Results for all adults (n=1,443) are statistically significant within ±3.0 percentage points. Results for registered voters (n=1,291) are statistically significant within ±3.1 percentage points. For full methodology and tables, click on the Survey Data button below.