Polling News

Republicans Gaining On Generic Ballot

April 19, 2018

A new Washington Post/ABC News poll found Republicans’ standing on the generic congressional ballot has improved since earlier this year.  Today, 43% of registered voters say they will vote for the Republican candidate in their congressional district, while 47% say they are voting for the Democratic candidate.  That is a four-point bump for Republicans from January, when those numbers were 39% and 51%, respectively.

These numbers are almost identical to this point in 2010, when Republicans took control of the House of Representatives.  In April of that year, Democrats led the Washington Post/ABC News generic ballot with 48% while Republicans sat at 43%.  In 2014, when Republicans took control of the Senate, the numbers were a little closer at this point, with Democrats ahead by just one-point, 45%-44%.

Republicans’ generic ballot position improved among most demographics, particularly among white non-college voters (54% in January to 60% today).  That – as well as President Donald Trump’s higher approval rating (40% today, up four-points from January) – have likely driven the GOP gains on the generic ballot.  If Republicans can compete with Democratic enthusiasm (both parties are now tied for voters “likely to vote,” at 68% each), they could be in a reasonable position for this November.

 

Related PollingNews

Placeholder polling news
November 30, 2023 |
Polling News
The American Dream feels to be slipping away for many families, according to a new survey from Wall Street Journal/NORC.  ...
Placeholder polling news
November 16, 2023 |
Polling News
Americans are more skeptical about how the U.S. is handling illegal drugs than at any point since Gallup started tracking the measure in 1972.   ...
Placeholder polling news
November 09, 2023 |
Polling News
Tuesday’s election results were a sharp reminder of the political impact of Pres. Trump.  ...
Placeholder polling news
November 02, 2023 |
Polling News
The new Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa Republican Caucus poll found while the former president maintains his lead, the number of Iowans open to voting for other candidates continues to grow.  ...
Button karlsbooks
Button readinglist
Button nextapperance