WASHINGTON — Democrats are more motivated to vote in November’s midterm elections than Republicans, potentially giving the party an advantage to flip at least one chamber of Congress, according to a poll released Tuesday by the nonpartisan health organization KFF.
Democratic candidates also held an edge with voter confidence in their ability to address the rising cost of healthcare and everyday goods as well as abortion policy, though the parties were mostly tied when it came to addressing fraud in government programs. Republicans are trusted “to do a better job handling” immigration.
“Of all the cost-of-living worries hitting voters now, a big health care bill is the least predictable, and that’s a big reason why health care costs are right up there with gas prices and the costs of food and housing on voters’ minds,” KFF President and CEO Dr. Drew Altman said in a statement.
A majority of respondents, 66%, said they favor a candidate who supports a national health plan, which Democrats often refer to as Medicare-for-all. That support, however, fluctuates depending on how the question was asked.
Seventy-six percent of those polled said they support a nationwide health plan when told it would “guarantee health insurance for all Americans.” The level of support was about the same, 75%, when people were told it would “eliminate all insurance premiums and reduce out-of-pocket costs for most Americans.”
A slight majority, 52%, of respondents said they’d support a Medicare-for-all type plan when told it would “eliminate private health insurance companies.” Approval dropped to 38% when those polled were told it could “threaten the current Medicare program” and then to 35% when informed it would “require most Americans to pay more in taxes.”
Support for a nationwide health plan decreased to 24% when those polled were told it could “lead to delays in people getting some medical tests and treatments.”
When broken down by political party, far more Democrats, 84%, than Republicans, 35%, supported a nationwide health plan like Medicare-for-all.
Voters seek change
Regardless of which party secures control of the U.S. House and Senate following the November midterm elections, a significant number of those polled want to see lawmakers work to change the country’s healthcare system.
Forty-nine percent said that “there are some good things about our healthcare system, but major changes are needed.” An additional 36% said “there is so much wrong with our healthcare system that it needs to be completely overhauled.” Another 13% said the country’s health system “works pretty well, but minor changes are needed.” And just 2% said there should be no changes.
When asked what motivates people to vote in this year’s election, 20% of those polled said they wanted to bring about change, 19% said to stop President Donald Trump, 15% said they believe the country is in a crisis, 11% said the rising cost of living, 10% said to vote out Republicans, 9% said to protect democracy, 8% said to keep Democrats out of power, 7% said to end corruption and 6% said it was due to concerns about socialism or communism.
Dems hold enthusiasm edge
Forty-seven percent of those polled said they were more motivated to vote in this year’s elections than they were in the past, while 41% said they were about as motivated and 12% said they were less motivated.
Democrats had a clear motivation advantage over Republicans with 63% of Democratic supporters saying they were more motivated and 28% saying they were about as motivated as they were during earlier elections.
Thirty-eight percent of Republicans are more motivated and 53% said they were about as motivated as past elections.
KFF polled 1,328 U.S. adults, including 1,013 voters, in English and in Spanish between Sept. 16 and Sept. 21. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.