Reuters/Ipsos Data: Core Political (08/22/2018)

With 76 days to go until the November election, Democrats continue to lead the generic congressional ballot.

The author(s)
  • Clifford Young President, US, Public Affairs
  • Chris Jackson Senior Vice President, US, Public Affairs
  • Annaleise Azevedo Lohr Director, US, Public Affairs
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Washington, D.C. – With just 76 days until the November election for Congress, 43% of registered voters report they approve of President Trump’s job performance, this is statistically unchanged from last week (44%). Perceptions of President Trump’s performance are driven largely by partisanship with just 13% of Democrats approving compared to 82% of Republicans and 35% of Independents. President Trump continues to receive his highest marks on employment and jobs with a majority of Americans approving of his performance (52%). Americans are more critical when evaluating Trump’s handling of the environment (36%), Russia (37%), and the way he treats ordinary people (37%).

Shifting to the generic congressional ballot, among registered voters, Republicans (37%) trail Democrats (41%) by 4-points when asked which candidate they would vote for if the election were held today. Democrats (84%) and Republicans (83%) remain loyal to their respective parties. Independents remain torn between Democrats (19%), Republicans (19%) and a candidate from another party (19%). Just half of registered voters (49%) approve the way their congressperson is handling their job as representative. This number is higher among Republicans (59%) who are more likely to say they approve of their representative. Democrats (44%) and Independents (38%) are less generous with their evaluations of their legislators.

Americans maintain a pessimistic outlook when asked to consider the direction of the country, with only one in three  Americans (33%) and registered voters (36%) reporting they believe the country is headed in the right direction. Healthcare is the most common concern, with 18% of Americans reporting healthcare to be the most important problem facing the United States today. Immigration (13%) and the economy (12%) are the next most important issues.

About this Study

These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted for Thomson Reuters between August 15-21, 2018. For the survey, a sample of 2,245 Americans, including 1,885 registered voters, 784 Democrats, 791 Republicans, and 223 Independents ages 18+ were interviewed online. The precision of the Reuters/Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 2.4 percentage points for all adults, 2.6 percentage points for registered voters, 4.0 percentage points for Democrats, 4.0 percentage points for Republicans, and 7.5 percentage points for Independents. For more information about credibility intervals, please see the appendix.

The data were weighted to the U.S. current population data by gender, age, education, and ethnicity. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online non-probability polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Figures marked by an asterisk (*) indicate a percentage value of greater than zero but less than one half of one per cent. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. To see more information on this and other Reuters/Ipsos polls, please visit http://polling.reuters.com/.

The data were weighted to the U.S. current population data by gender, age, education, and ethnicity. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Figures marked by an asterisk (*) indicate a percentage value of greater than zero but less than one half of one per cent. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. To see more information on this and other Reuters/Ipsos polls, please visit http://polling.reuters.com/.

For more information on this news release please contact:

Clifford Young
President, U.S.
Ipsos Public Affairs
202.420.2016
[email protected]

Chris Jackson
Vice President, U.S.
Ipsos Public Affairs
202.420.2011
[email protected]

About Ipsos Public Affairs

Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice made up of seasoned professionals. We conduct strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research, but elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research.

Ipsos has media partnerships with the most prestigious news organizations around the world. In Canada, the U.S., UK, and internationally, Ipsos Public Affairs is the media polling supplier to Reuters News, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Ipsos Public Affairs is a member of the Ipsos Group, a leading global survey-based market research company. We provide boutique-style customer service and work closely with our clients, while also undertaking global research.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. Ipsos ranks fourth in the global research industry.

With offices in 89 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across five research specializations: brand, advertising and media; customer loyalty; marketing; public affairs research; and survey management.

Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of €1,780.5 million in 2017.

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The author(s)
  • Clifford Young President, US, Public Affairs
  • Chris Jackson Senior Vice President, US, Public Affairs
  • Annaleise Azevedo Lohr Director, US, Public Affairs

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