Publication date: October 12, 2022
Written by: Travis Taylor
Amid historically high levels of inflation, American voters are heading into the midterm elections with high and rising prices at the forefront of their minds.
The Center for Excellence in Polling (CEP) recently surveyed likely voters and found that inflation and the economy remain top concerns for Americans. By a more than two-to-one margin over the second most important issue, voters say that inflation and the economy are the national issues most important to them with less than a month to go before Election Day.
An overwhelming majority (94%) say that they are very or somewhat concerned about inflation. This includes nearly all Republicans, Independents, and suburban women. Even though Democrats do not consider the economy their top issue, 90 percent of Democrats say they are concerned about inflation.
CEP asked voters about high and rising costs in different aspects of life and found that:
- 94% are concerned about the rising cost of groceries
- 90% are concerned about rising home cooling and heating costs
- 89% are concerned about rising electricity costs
- 88% are concerned about the high cost of gas and diesel fuel
- 81% are concerned about runaway federal spending
- 80% are concerned about rising rent and home prices
- 80% are concerned about rising interest rates
The bottom line: While policies like student loan cancellation, extending the COVID-19 public health emergency, and the Inflation Reduction Act are certainly unpopular, voters are still laser-focused on pocketbook issues like the rising cost of goods and services and the impact inflation is having on their daily lives.