<p>Voters are favoring Democrats over Republicans on economic and cost of living issues, but a significant portion of the public expresses distrust in both parties, according to a recent poll.</p>
<p>Thirty-eight percent of registered voters indicated that Democrats would better handle the cost of living, compared to 27% who selected Republicans. An additional 27% stated that neither party would perform well, according to an Associated Press-NORC poll conducted last week.</p>
<p>Democrats have also made gains regarding economic management. Approximately 40% of registered voters now believe Democrats would manage the economy better, an increase from 26% in February.</p>
<p>However, the poll revealed widespread dissatisfaction with both parties. Fifty-five percent of registered voters stated that the Republican Party is not capable of solving important problems, while 48% expressed the same view regarding Democrats. Only about 20% of voters believe either party is focused on helping people like them or is capable of addressing significant issues.</p>
<p>Republicans are perceived as more focused on wealthy individuals, with about 60% of registered voters stating that the description “focused on helping rich and powerful people” applies “extremely” or “very” well to the Republican Party, compared to 32% for Democrats.</p>
<p>Nearly half of voters also described the Republican Party as “corrupt” to an “extreme” or “very” significant degree, with 48% for Democrats.</p>
<p>President Donald Trump faces similarly negative evaluations. Sixty-eight percent of registered voters described Trump as “too extreme,” including about one-third of Republicans. Fifty-five percent said the Republican Party itself is too extreme, while 45% expressed the same sentiment regarding Democrats.</p>
<p>The poll also highlighted divisions within the Democratic Party. Forty-six percent of Democratic voters believe their party is too moderate, while a similar percentage feels the current level of moderation is appropriate. Republican voters were more inclined to view their party as appropriately moderate.</p>
<p>These findings emerge as both parties prepare for the November 3 midterm elections, with economic concerns becoming a central issue.</p>
<p>The Cook Political Report recently adjusted 15 House race ratings in favor of Democrats, suggesting that Republicans risk losing their House majority. Currently, Democrats hold 215 House seats and require a net gain of three to achieve a majority. Estimates indicate that Democrats could gain between five and 15 seats.</p>
<p>Projections for the Senate are similarly unfavorable for Republicans. A recent New York Times/Siena College poll indicated that Democratic Senate candidates are tied or leading their Republican opponents in traditionally Republican states that Trump won by margins of 11 to 16 percentage points in 2024.</p>
<p>The AP-NORC poll was conducted from September 24 to 28 among 2,140 U.S. adults, including 1,766 registered voters. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 2.9 percentage points for adults overall and 3.1 percentage points for registered voters.</p>