Economic anxiety and cost-of-living pressures have voters in both major parties reevaluating policies that they previously would not have supported, a new Wall Street Journal poll found. Support for populist-leaning policies is growing and defying political party labels.
By The Numbers:
Almost half of ten policies with the highest support among both Democrats and Republicans address health care: Pass laws to ban surprise medical bills (94% DEM/86% GOP/88% IND); require health insurance companies to cover services and medicines prescribed by doctors (96% DEM/82% GOP/86% IND); cap the maximum prices of prescription drugs (93% DEM/83% GOP/82% IND); and run a government website that offers discounted prices for prescription drugs (76% DEM/75% GOP/63% IND).
Another three policies address immigration: Stop illegal immigration at the border (61% DEM/98% GOP/77% IND); create a pathway to citizenship for long-term immigrants who contribute to their communities (97% DEM/54% GOP/69% IND); and require voters to show photo ID to ensure that only registered U.S. citizens vote (48% DEM/97% GOP/71% IND).
Capping credit card interest rates at 10% (78% DEM/83% GOP/76% IND); restricting large institutional investors from buying large numbers of single-family homes (77% DEM/77% GOP/69% IND); and capping childcare costs for working families (90% DEM/61% GOP/67% IND) round out the ten.
The Bottom Line: It’s no surprise the 2026 electorate is angry, believing the economic system and political institutions have failed them. Voters are reminded of challenges each day as they fill up their cars, buy groceries, visit the doctor, or check their credit card bills. Republicans should focus on these issues–particularly health care–and offer clear solutions for addressing them if reelected.
