WASHINGTON (AP) – Economic concerns were the dominant concern as voters cast their ballots in Tuesday’s election, according to preliminary results from an Associated Press voter poll.
The results of a large-scale survey of more than 17,000 voters in New Jersey, Virginia, California and New York City suggest that Americans are troubled by an economy that appears to be gripped by high prices and declining job opportunities.
And a year after President Donald Trump returned to the White House on promises to curb inflation and unleash growth, economic concerns remain at the top of voters’ minds. Despite the stock market rally, inflation remains high and employment has slowed significantly. The federal government shutdown since October has only added to the uncertainty.
While President Trump has sought to highlight efforts to deport illegal immigrants and send federal agents and National Guard troops to cities to fight crime, few voters believe these issues are a top concern where they live.
This widespread economic uncertainty was accompanied by high levels of dissatisfaction in some off-year elections. More than half of voters in New Jersey and Virginia said they felt “angry” or “dissatisfied” with the state of affairs in the country.
Economic challenges impact the local level in many ways. A majority of New Jersey voters said property taxes are a “big issue,” and a majority of New York City voters said the same about housing costs. A majority of Virginia voters said they are feeling at least some impact from recent federal cuts.
Most voters say they are not making progress economically
Although the majority of voters said their finances were stable, the poll results suggested that many felt unable to make progress in the current economy. As a result, they are unable to move up the economic ladder and feel stuck there.
Roughly six in 10 voters in New Jersey, Virginia and New York City said their families were financially stable, but relatively few felt they were making progress, with about a quarter saying they were moving backwards.
About half of Virginia voters Deciding between Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earl Sears He told the governor that the economy is the most important issue facing the state. Only 2 in 10 said health care, about 1 in 10 said education or immigration, and even fewer said crime was the biggest problem facing the commonwealth.
Most New Jersey voters Choose between Republican Jack Ciatarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill He told the governor that either taxes or the economy were the state’s top priorities. About a third of voters said each of these issues, while about two in 10 said so about health care. Less than one in 10 cited immigration and crime as their biggest problem.
Just over half of New York City voters said the cost of living is the most important issue in the city, as rent spending and levels of income inequality rise in America’s most populous city. Democratic Party Mayoral Candidate Zoran Mamdani takes on Andrew Cuomoformer New York Governor Curtis Sliwa, a Republican. About a quarter said crime was their biggest concern. Another one in 10 said this about immigration, and less than one in 10 cited health care or transportation as a top issue.
dissatisfaction with the direction of the country
Polls have revealed high levels of dissatisfaction with the direction of the country as a country in several states, indicating that so far few voters feel reassured by Trump’s return to the White House.
Democratic-led California on Tuesday called on residents to vote on a plan to redraw congressional district lines, after President Trump urged Republican states like Texas to redraw district lines in hopes of supporting Republican candidates in next year’s midterm elections.
About half of California voters said they were “angry” about the direction of the country, and another two in 10 said they were “dissatisfied.”
Roughly 6 in 10 voters in Virginia and New Jersey said they were “angry” or “frustrated” with today’s national situation. Only a third said they were “enthusiastic” or “satisfied.”
Federal budget cuts hurt Virginia voters while New Jersey voters worry about taxes
People are stressed about affordability, and it manifests itself in many ways.
Federal job cuts and funding cuts initiated by the Trump administration appear to be hitting Virginia hard. About 6 in 10 voters said this year’s federal budget cuts have had a “very” or “some” impact on their family’s finances. These economic hardships could worsen if the ongoing government shutdown drags on and federal employees and contractors are forced to report to work without pay.
In New Jersey, property taxes and electricity bills were causing concern. Seven in 10 New Jersey voters say property taxes are a “big problem” in their area, and six in 10 say the same about utility bills. Democrat Sherrill attacked Trump on the cost of living issue, while Ciatarelli suggested tax cuts would help ease inflation.
In New York City, about 7 in 10 voters say the cost of housing is a “big problem” where they live, and renters are especially likely to say this is an issue. Fewer voters said crime was a “big problem” in the city.
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of 2025 AP Voter Pollwas conducted by SSRS from October 22 to November 4 and includes representative samples of registered voters in California (4,490), New Jersey (4,244), New York City (4,304), and Virginia (4,215). The AP Voter Poll combines data collected from active registered voters online and by phone with data collected directly from voters on Election Day in about 30 precincts per state or city, excluding California. Respondents can complete the survey in English or Spanish. The overall margin of sampling error for voters, accounting for design effects, is plus or minus 2.0 percentage points in California, 2.1 percentage points in New Jersey, 2.2 percentage points in New York City, and 2.1 percentage points in Virginia.
