WASHINGTON (AP) — Economic concerns were at the forefront as voters cast their ballots in Tuesday's elections, according to preliminary data from the AP Voter Poll.
The survey of over 17,000 voters across New Jersey, Virginia, California, and New York City highlighted public apprehension over a stagnant economy plagued by high prices and dwindling job opportunities.
A year after President Donald Trump returned to the White House promising economic recovery and decreased inflation, citizens indicated that financial worries remained their primary concern. Increased stock market performance has done little to ease ongoing inflation and considerable reductions in hiring, accentuated by a recent federal government shutdown.
Although Trump emphasized his initiatives against illegal immigration and crime, these issues did not resonate as the main concerns for most voters.
Discontent with the current political climate is evident, with over half of voters in both New Jersey and Virginia expressing feelings of anger or dissatisfaction regarding the national state of affairs.
Economic challenges manifested differently across regions; while New Jersey voters identified skyrocketing property taxes as a significant issue, voters in New York City raised concerns over severe housing costs. Virginians reported feeling the economic impact of recent federal budget cuts.
Voter Sentiments on Financial Stability
Most respondents viewed their financial status as stable, yet many struggled to feel as though they were advancing economically. Approximately 60% of voters in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City reported their family finances were 'holding steady'; however, only a fraction believed they were 'getting ahead'. Conversely, around one-quarter felt they were 'falling behind.'
In Virginia, about half of voters in a close race between Democratic candidate Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears prioritized economic issues over healthcare and education.
New Jersey voters also highlighted the economy and taxes as significant concerns in the context of their gubernatorial election, contesting choices between Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli.
In New York City, over half the voters cited cost of living as the primary challenge, setting up a showdown between Democratic candidates Zohran Mamdani and former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Voter Dissatisfaction Levels
The poll uncovered widespread dissatisfaction with the nation's direction, casting doubt on the efforts of the Trump administration to reassure voters. In California, approximately half of the respondents expressed anger over America’s trajectory, with a notable portion feeling dissatisfied.
Similar sentiments were echoed by voters in Virginia and New Jersey, where the majority reported feelings of anger or dissatisfaction, further highlighting the disconnect between administration initiatives and public sentiment.
Regional Financial Struggles
While economic stress levels varied, Virginia voters indicated that federal cuts were heavily impacting household finances, with 60% feeling the repercussions significantly. Prolonged government shutdowns may intensify these struggles, affecting salaries for federal contractors and employees alike.
In New Jersey, the cost of property taxes and rising utility expenses left many voters alarmed, while housing affordability posed a persistent problem for nearly 70% of New Yorkers surveyed. Crime concerns rated low on the priority list for New York City voters.
According to the comprehensive 2025 AP Voter Poll results, conducted from October 22 to November 4, registered voters were surveyed across regions, drawing a clear picture of economic anxieties shaping voter behavior in these pivotal elections.
