What's Moving America — Top Issues 2026
GALLUP · PEW · AP-NORC · MAY 2026

What's Moving America

The 8 issues that matter most to American voters right now — with the actual polling numbers behind the headlines. Updated monthly from Gallup, Pew Research, AP-NORC and CNN/SSRS.

Polling Snapshot — May 2026
73%
say healthcare costs are a very big problem
76%
say housing costs are a major economic problem
64%
disapprove of Trump's handling of tariffs
61%
say abortion should be legal in most/all cases
Economy & Inflation 2026
#1 — ECONOMY & INFLATION

Cost of Living: 76% Say Economic Conditions Are Getting Worse

Consumer confidence at pandemic-era lows. 66% call inflation a "very big problem." 15% cite high cost of living as the single most important problem (up from 8% in February).

Full analysis →
Tariffs & Trade War 2026
#2 — TARIFFS & TRADE WAR

60% Say Trump Has Gone "Too Far" — Tariffs as Consumer Tax

145% on China, 25% on Canada/Mexico, 10% universal baseline. 55% say tariffs have hurt the economy. 64% disapprove of Trump's handling. Price increases now visible at retail level.

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Healthcare & Medicaid 2026
#3 — HEALTHCARE & MEDICAID

73% Call Healthcare Costs a "Very Big Problem" — Highest Since 2021

47% fear they can't afford care in 2026. Proposed Medicaid cuts ($800B–$1T over 10 years) threaten coverage for 10–15M Americans. Democrats' most powerful 2026 issue.

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Housing Affordability 2026
#4 — HOUSING AFFORDABILITY

76% Say Housing Is a Major Problem — 41% Under Major Rent/Mortgage Stress

Home prices up 40%+ since 2020. Mortgage rates above 7%. 83% of voters want congressional action. 89% support legislation to lower housing costs. Bipartisan agreement, no federal solution.

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Immigration & Deportations 2026
#5 — IMMIGRATION & DEPORTATIONS

Concern Falling: 38% Call It a Very Big Problem (Down From 48% in Feb)

50% say Trump has gone "too far" on deportations (AP-NORC). 60% of Republicans vs. 17% of Democrats see illegal immigration as a very big problem. Alien Enemies Act litigation ongoing.

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Abortion & Reproductive Rights 2026
#6 — ABORTION & REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

61% Support Legal Abortion — Democrats' Highest-Testing 2026 Message

Post-Dobbs: 14 states with near-total bans. Ballot measures passed in 5 states since 2022. 57%+ support protecting abortion access in swing districts. Abortion drives Democratic overperformance.

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Climate & Energy Policy 2026
#7 — CLIMATE & ENERGY

44% Express "Great Deal" of Concern — Highest Climate Worry Since 1989

IRA ($369B) under attack. Trump exited Paris Agreement. 64% say human activity causes climate change. 39% call it a very big problem. 35% say climate is "very important" for their vote.

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Democracy & Rule of Law 2026
#8 — DEMOCRACY & RULE OF LAW

26% Name Threats to Democracy as #1 Problem — Government Trust at Record Low

66% have little/no confidence government can solve major problems. 64% say parties can't cooperate. Executive branch expansion, court battles and press freedom concerns driving sustained anxiety.

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Sources: Pew Research Center (April/May 2026), Gallup Most Important Problem (May 2026), AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, CNN/SSRS (May 2026), Ipsos/ABC/Washington Post polling. Data updated monthly.
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