Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
Early 2026 midterm polls show voter anger and close Senate races
Voters across the United States cast ballots on Election Day in the 2026 midterm elections, with control of Congress at stake.
Early exit polls show about three-quarters of voters are dissatisfied with the country's direction, and more are angry than in 2024.
President Donald Trump's approval rating is 38% in the early polls, and roughly six in 10 voters say he affected their House vote.
Voters are also more negative about the economy than they were two years ago, and many say their finances are getting worse.
In Georgia, Democrat Jon Ossoff is defending his Senate seat against Republican Mike Collins, while South Carolina's Senate race between Republican Darline Graham and Democrat Annie Andrews is rated a toss-up.
The South Carolina poll found concerns about both candidates: many voters question Graham's experience, while about half consider Andrews' views too extreme.
The exit poll results are preliminary and will be updated, so they do not yet establish who won the races.
Early exit polls in the 2026 midterm elections show widespread voter dissatisfaction and anger, alongside close Senate races in South Carolina and Georgia.
About three-quarters of voters say they are at least dissatisfied with the country’s direction, and voters are more likely to say their finances are worse than better.
President Donald Trump’s approval rating is 38%, and roughly six in 10 voters say he is a factor in their House vote.
CBS News rates the South Carolina Senate race between Darline Graham and Annie Andrews as a toss-up.
In Georgia, Democrat Jon Ossoff is defending his Senate seat against Republican Mike Collins, with early polls showing Ossoff performing well among Black voters.
- Who
- Voters in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, including candidates in Senate races in South Carolina and Georgia.
- What
- Early exit polls show voter dissatisfaction and anger, low approval of President Trump, and close Senate contests.
- When
- Election Day was November 3, 2026; the articles were published November 4.
- Where
- Across the United States, including Senate races in South Carolina and Georgia.
- Why
- Not stated
Democratic voters
Republican voters
Trump’s role
Democratic voters
Democratic voters are overwhelmingly motivated by opposition to Trump.
Republican voters
Most non-MAGA Republicans say Trump is not a factor in their vote; most MAGA Republicans say their vote supports him.
Candidate views in Georgia
Democratic voters
More voters view Mike Collins’ views as extreme than Jon Ossoff’s.
Republican voters
Most White voters are backing Collins.
Voters across the country cast ballots in the midterm elections.
CBS News reported early exit-poll findings, including a 38% approval rating for Trump and a toss-up rating for the South Carolina Senate race.
- Trump approval rating
- 38%
- Voter mood
- Roughly three-quarters are at least dissatisfied with the country’s direction
- South Carolina Senate race
- CBS News rates Darline Graham versus Annie Andrews a toss-up
- Georgia Senate race
- Jon Ossoff is defending his seat against Mike Collins
- Election Day
- November 3, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
I just want this nightmare to end for our city and our country,
And damn it, they shouldn't have died.