Corruption ranks second among US voter concerns ahead of midterms

A Harris Poll survey released on Friday shows that government corruption is the second most important concern for US voters ahead of the midterm elections scheduled for next Tuesday. The cost of living remains the top issue, cited by 36 percent of respondents as the most important factor in their vote. Corruption follows in second place at 12 percent, ahead of immigration at 9 percent, health at 7 percent, and taxes at 5 percent.

Nearly nine out of ten Americans consider government corruption a problem, defined as elected officials placing their own financial interests or those of their funders above the public interest. Seventy-six percent of respondents believe politicians are more interested in enriching themselves than in improving economic conditions for the population.

“Government corruption has surged and become the second most important issue in the midterm elections after the cost of living.”

Partisan views differ on which party faces more serious financial corruption problems. Forty percent of respondents, including 29 percent of Republicans themselves, say the Republican Party has more serious problems. Twenty-one percent blame the Democrats mainly, while 32 percent consider both parties equally affected. Among independents, 34 percent point to Republicans, 13 percent to Democrats, and 42 percent say both have the same problem.

Harris Poll director John Gerzema said government corruption has surged to become the second most important issue in the midterm elections after the cost of living. He added that Americans are outraged at leaders they consider responsible for their growing economic difficulties and who profit from them.

Early voting is already underway across the country. By Saturday, October 31, approximately 47.4 million Americans had voted early in the congressional midterms, according to the On Point Politics tracker aggregating data from 47 states.

The tracker recorded 47,416,032 ballots, with about 25 million cast in person before election day and roughly 22.4 million by mail. Associated Press analysis based on data from 47 states and Washington DC showed that more than 43 million Americans had already voted, nearly 10 million more than at the same stage of the 2022 midterms.

In states publishing partisan affiliation data, about 6.8 million Democrats and 5.2 million Republicans voted early. The figures are incomplete and indicate voter affiliation, not the candidate chosen. A registered Republican may vote for a Democrat and vice versa. High early turnout signals mobilization and interest but does not allow a serious forecast of the final result.