Polls Show Americans Want Major Congressional Shake-Up Ahead of Midterms

WASHINGTON — A majority of Americans want sweeping changes in Congress ahead of November's midterm elections, according to new national polls, reflecting growing dissatisfaction with both major political parties and a desire for new leadership in Washington.

A CNN/SSRS survey found Democrats holding an eight-point lead over Republicans among registered voters, with Democratic voters maintaining a significant enthusiasm advantage. More Americans also said the country would be better off if Democrats controlled Congress than if Republicans retained power.

The poll found widespread frustration with the current Congress, with a majority of voters saying the institution would improve if most incumbent lawmakers were replaced. Economic concerns, particularly the rising cost of living, remain the dominant issue, and respondents were more likely to say Republicans are failing to address those concerns than Democrats.

Democrats have also gained an advantage in being viewed as the "party of change," reversing a Republican lead recorded last year. At the same time, many voters continue to express negative views of both parties and question their ability to deliver meaningful results.

Former President Donald Trump remains the dominant figure shaping the political landscape. Seven in ten Democratic voters said their vote in November would primarily serve as a message of opposition to Trump, while fewer Republican voters described their vote as an expression of support for him. Republican perceptions of Trump's positive influence on the party have also declined compared with earlier this year.

A separate Washington Post–Ipsos poll found that while about three-quarters of Democratic voters would consider supporting a democratic socialist presidential candidate in 2028, fewer than half of Americans overall would do so. Fifty-five percent of respondents said they would not consider voting for such a candidate, highlighting the ideological challenges facing Democrats as they prepare for the next presidential election.

The survey also found that Americans remain deeply divided over what "democratic socialism" actually means, with respondents offering widely different interpretations ranging from expanded healthcare and economic equality to wealth redistribution and communism.