Voters worried about more than just the economy, poll shows
More Americans are saying non-economic issues like dissatisfaction with government or immigration are bigger problems than the economy, according to a new Gallup poll, continuing a trend that started last year.
As many as 18 percent of Americans say poor governance is the most important problem facing the nation, according to a Gallup poll conducted Aug. 7-10. Another 15 percent said immigration is the most important problem.
- What steps can Obama take on immigration without Congress?
- What do Americans say should happen to child border crossers?
Those numbers may come as no surprise to members of Congress, who left town for a month-long recess before reaching an agreement on how to address the large number of unaccompanied minors who have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in the past year.
Twelve percent of Americans said unemployment is the biggest problem, while another 14 percent named the economy in general. The poll has a four-point margin of error.
The biggest change in the poll in the last month was voters' concern over foreign policy. In July, just 3 percent of Americans called it the biggest problem, compared with 7 percent in August.
All told, as many as 71 percent of Americans named non-economic issues as the biggest problem facing the country. Since May 2013, voters have been more focused on non-economic issues, Gallup notes.
