A new poll has found that Republicans are facing an early warning sign ahead of the 2026 midterm elections in November: their voters appear less energized than Democrats, pointing to a large enthusiasm gap between the two parties.
Using multiple recent polls, CNN reported that Democrats are showing stronger motivation to vote, while Republicans are lagging compared with previous midterm cycles. Their analysis noted that Republicans have relied heavily on President Donald Trump's ability to drive turnout, but his name will not be on the ballot in November.
A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll conducted April 24-28 found that 73% of Democrats viewed the upcoming elections as more important than previous midterms, compared with 52% of Republicans. CNN noted that the Republican figure is well below the 72% of GOP voters who said the same in September 2022 and the 63% who said so in October 2018.
Another survey conducted by CNN itself, only 48% of Republicans said their midterm vote would be used to send a message of support for Trump, while 76% of Democrats said their vote would be used to express opposition to him. That suggests anti-Trump energy may be stronger than pro-Trump motivation, a reversal of the dynamic Republicans have often counted on.
The enthusiasm problem comes as Trump's approval rating has fallen sharply. The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll found that 37% of Americans approved of Trump's job performance, while 62% disapproved, his highest disapproval level across both terms in that survey.
A separate NPR/PBS News/Marist poll released this week also showed Democrats with an advantage on enthusiasm and the generic congressional ballot. It found that Democrats led Republicans by 10 points when voters were asked which party's candidate they would support if congressional elections were held today.
The same survey found Trump with 37% approval and 59% disapproval. Economic frustration appears to be fueling the Democratic advantage. It added that more than 8 in 10 Americans said gas prices were straining their household budgets, while 63% blamed Trump for the increase.
The poll also found that 35% approved of Trump's handling of the economy. Still, the numbers are not a guarantee of Democratic gains. CNN noted that Republican enthusiasm could rise as Election Day approaches, as voters tune in more closely to campaigns, candidates, and local races.
Another poll conducted by Marquette University Law School in April found that only 28% of Republicans and GOP-leaning independent voters said they were "very enthusiastic" about voting in the upcoming November midterms.
However, another CNN poll conducted by Social Science Research Solutions (SSRS) shows that only 28% and 32% of Americans hold a positive view of the Democratic and Republican parties, respectively. The poll points to a growing group of voters sometimes referred to as "double haters," people who hold unfavorable views of both major parties.
The survey also found that the "double haters" still lean toward Democrats by 31 points in the upcoming midterms, and the average registered voter leans Democratic as well by 6 points, giving Democrats an opening even as their own image remains badly damaged. According to CNN, the "double haters" proved decisive in both of Trump's victories in 2016 and 2024.
