1. Economy and Cost of Living: The cost of living is one of the most important issues for voters. A Pew Research Center poll shows that 84% of registered voters consider the economy "very important" to their voting choices. Democrats blame rising prices on Trump's tariff policies and the war with Iran, while Republicans emphasize the tax breaks offered by the 2025 tax cuts.
2. The Iran War: A Pew Research Center survey shows that 65% of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of military action against Iran. The war has also divided the Republican Party.
3. Government Corruption: A Gallup poll in September showed that 89% of American adults believe government corruption is widespread, a record high. Democrats and some Republicans advocate for stronger government accountability, including restrictions on stock trading by lawmakers, term limits, and post-lecture lobbying. Trump's business interests and the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein files have also sparked controversy.
4. Democracy: A Pew Research Center survey shows that 85% of Democratic voters and 69% of Republican voters consider the future of democracy very important to their voting choices. Democrats criticize Trump's attitude toward the electoral system and his political opponents, but Democratic candidates in fiercely contested districts are more inclined to focus on the cost of living rather than impeaching Trump.
5. Healthcare: A KFF poll shows that about 60% of voters are concerned about healthcare costs, with 42% of respondents believing Democrats are better able to control healthcare costs, compared to 22% who believe Republicans are better able.
6. Immigration and Border Security: Trump's tightening of immigration policies during his second term has sparked backlash from some voters. An NBC News/Telemundo poll shows that 69% of Hispanic voters disapprove of Trump's handling of immigration issues.
7. Data Centers and Artificial Intelligence: Trump supports expanding the AI industry, but the electricity, water, and land consumption of data centers has drawn bipartisan opposition, with candidates from both parties having campaigns against building new data centers.
8. Social Security: The U.S. Social Security retirement and survivor benefits fund is projected to run out of accumulated reserves by 2032. If Congress does not take action, new income will only be able to cover 78% of due benefits by then. Raising or eliminating the payroll tax cap is one of the policy options for improving the program's financial situation, and this issue is of particular concern to older voters.
