# Voters Signal Economy and Inflation as Top Concerns with Midterms Two Weeks Away
With Election Day arriving in just over two weeks, a new poll reveals the issues dominating voter consciousness as Americans prepare to cast ballots for House, Senate, and state offices.
The economy stands as the central preoccupation for voters entering the final stretch of the 2022 midterm elections. Inflation, job security, and the rising cost of living consistently rank as the top concerns across partisan lines, according to polling data. This focus on pocketbook issues reflects the persistent inflation that has gripped the nation throughout President Joe Biden's first two years in office, with prices remaining elevated despite recent efforts by the Federal Reserve to combat rising costs through interest rate increases.
The polling snapshot arrives at a pivotal moment in the campaign cycle. Republicans have long centered their messaging on economic anxiety, arguing that Democratic control of Congress and the White House has failed to manage inflation effectively. The GOP has made the economy the cornerstone of their midterm strategy, betting that voter frustration over prices will translate into significant gains in both chambers of Congress. Democrats, meanwhile, have attempted to pivot voter attention toward other issues, including abortion rights following the Supreme Court's June decision overturning Roe v. Wade, and democracy itself.
Healthcare and abortion rights emerge as secondary concerns in the polling data, with these issues registering more prominently among Democratic voters and younger Americans. The Supreme Court's decision to return abortion regulation to the states triggered a wave of Democratic mobilization in special elections and primary races over the summer. Some Democrats hoped this energy would persist through November, though the new polling suggests the economy remains the dominant frame through which voters evaluate their choices.
Crime represents another area where Republicans believe they hold electoral advantage. Public safety concerns, particularly in urban areas, have figured prominently in Republican campaign advertising and messaging. Democrats in competitive districts have worked to counter this narrative by touting crime-fighting records and investments in law enforcement.
The polling arrives as both parties execute final campaign pushes. Advertising spending has reached record levels, with independent groups and campaigns targeting battleground House and Senate races across the country. Early voting has already begun in numerous states, giving voters the opportunity to cast ballots before Election Day on November 8.
The race for Senate control remains competitive in key states including Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, and Ohio. Control of the House also remains uncertain, though historical patterns and current polling suggest Republicans may achieve gains. The new data provides both campaigns with crucial information about which issues resonate most powerfully with undecided voters in the final two weeks of campaigning.
Voter turnout will ultimately determine whether these concerns translate into electoral results. Midterm elections typically draw smaller turnout than presidential contests, and both parties have invested heavily in get-out-the-vote operations heading into November.