Despite multiple setbacks for their party, Republican voters remain more motivated than their Democratic counterparts.
A new poll from ABC News/The Washington Post, asked voters if they are "absolutely" going to vote in the 2018 elections.
Those who said yes included:
- 58 percent of adults.
- 65 percent of Republicans and those who lean Republican.
- 57 percent of Democrats and those who lean Democratic.
- 72 percent of those who strongly approve of the president.
- 61 percent of those who strongly disapprove of the president.
Despite this, most voters are in favor of a Democratic majority in Congress.
- 52 percent voters favor Democrats in control.
- 38 percent prefer Republicans.
"The survey results suggest some reasons that Democrats have not been able to capitalize yet on voter antipathy toward Trump," said the Post's Mike DeBonis and Emily Guskin. "For one thing, Americans who strongly disapprove of Trump do not appear to be any more motivated to vote than the average American."
Although President Donald Trump has consistently low approval ratings, only 24 percent said their vote in the midterm elections will be to "oppose Trump." More than half of voters said that Trump is not an influence on their decision.
Even if Democrats can take advantage of Trump's unpopularity and the recent trouble Republicans have had in agreeing on legislation, few seats in the Senate will be available to them in 2018.
"While Democrats are heavily targeting the House in 2018, the Senate is seen as a tougher prize," notes the Post. "Of the 33 seats in that chamber being contested, 25 belong to Democrats or independents who caucus with them. Of the eight GOP seats, forecasters and party campaign committees consider only two to be genuinely competitive."
The poll was conducted by ABC News and The Washington Post from July 10-13, surveying 1,001 adults by phone, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
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