Cost of living and Iran war shaped midterm vote, exit polls show

The cost of living dominated voters' concerns in Tuesday's US midterm elections, according to exit polling.

CBS News reported that 89% of voters said the cost of living was a major or crucial factor in their vote, and that President Trump's approval rating stood at 38%, historically low for a president at the midterms.

The AP said the results reflected frustration over high prices, the war with Iran and concerns about government corruption. CBS News said high fuel prices and the unpopular war put more Republican-held states in play in the closing months.

A POLITICO analysis found that counties shifted an average of eight points towards Democrats compared with the 2024 presidential election, regardless of whether they had backed Trump or Kamala Harris.