See CBS News exit poll results for the 2026 midterm elections

Note: Results will continue to update throughout the night.

Overview of CBS News 2026 exit polls for the midterm elections 

President Trump is on track for the lowest approval rating for a president in a midterm election, according to early exit polls. Currently at 38%, it's lower than it was during Mr. Trump's first term, and lower than it was for George W. Bush in 2006 when his party lost both houses of Congress. 

Midterm elections have often been a referendum on the sitting president, and this one is no exception. Roughly six in 10 say Mr. Trump is a factor in their vote for the House. 

This is being driven largely by voters backing Democrats, who are overwhelmingly motivated by opposition to Mr. Trump.  

But for those backing Republicans, it's less about the president. Back in 2018, most Republican voters said their vote was to support Mr. Trump. That figure is lower today.

The president has often told his supporters to pretend he is on the ballot, and for many in the MAGA base, they may be doing just that. Most MAGA Republicans say their vote is to support Mr. Trump, but most non-MAGA Reps say he is not a factor.

The mood of the electorate is a sour one

Voters are just plain not happy. 

Current exit polls show roughly three-quarters of voters are at least dissatisfied with the direction of the country. More are angry now about how things are going than they were in 2024, as economic anxiety persists. Those voting for Democrats are particularly likely to be angry.  

The issue of the economy and trust in Mr. Trump to fix it helped propel him to victory in 2024, but voters feel no better about the condition of the economy today. 

In fact, more voters have negative views of the economy now than they did two years ago, and views of the economy are more in line with what we saw in the 2022 midterms, when the party in power lost seats. 

Cost of living: Voters are feeling the pinch

Voters are feeling it in their pocketbooks. They are more than twice as likely to say their finances are worse rather than better, based on early exit polls. 

Voters across parties express concern about affording everything from gas to groceries to utilities.

For two consecutive elections, most voters have said inflation caused hardship for their family,  including about one in five who describe that hardship as severe.

All this adds up to the cost of living being a major factor for voters across parties, but it's more crucial for those backing Democrats. Immigration enforcement is more crucial for those backing Republicans.

When voters are asked to pick their most important issue from a list, the economy comes out on top, followed by the state of democracy. Those voting for Democrats prioritize the state of democracy — an issue that has long concerned them.

For those backing Republicans, the economy is their most important issue, followed by immigration.

Voters who pick the state of democracy as their top issue are particularly likely to say government corruption is a crucial factor in their vote. 

Government corruption: It's a major factor for voters across party lines

Roughly nine in 10 voters nationally say government corruption is a major factor in their vote — about the same as cost of living — and it's crucial to those voting for Democrats. 

About six in 10 voters think President Trump puts his own personal interests over the country.  

The Iran War

While the war with Iran is less of a factor for voters than the cost of living, the conflict is not popular. Most think the U.S. made the wrong decision to take that military action, including about a quarter of Republicans.

Those most concerned about affording gas are the most likely to disagree with the decision to attack Iran. 

Does all this dissatisfaction translate to satisfaction with the party out of power?

Neither political party is viewed favorably by a majority of voters. 

About one in five backing Democrats for the House have an unfavorable view of the Democratic Party. Most Democrats are motivated by their opposition to Mr. Trump. 

And the Democratic Party isn't overwhelmingly seen as the party better able to handle key issues.  

Emerging issues

Data centers arose as an issue in this campaign. In all the Senate battlegrounds, majorities oppose the construction of a data center in their community. 

More voters see artificial intelligence as doing more to harm society than to help it. 

Voter confidence

Large majorities of voters are at least somewhat confident that their votes will be counted accurately both nationwide and in their own states, and that eligible voters will be allowed to vote. But while they are confident in their votes being counted, those voting Republican are far less confident that people who are not eligible to vote will be prevented from voting.

This national exit poll measures the general preference for voters nationwide in their choice for the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives, of course, is elected seat by seat. 

A quick note on the states

Mr. Trump's job approval is currently underwater in nearly all the Senate battleground states, according to early exit polls, including in states that he won by double digits in 2024.

In all the Senate battlegrounds, more say their finances are worse, not better, compared to years ago.

And party control of the Senate was on the minds of voters. Majorities of those voting for Republican candidates and those voting for Democrats say which party controls the Senate was a major factor in their vote.

The CBS News exit poll interviewed thousands of voters across the country at polling locations on Election Day and in the weeks leading up to Election Day. This is how the voter polling was conducted.