In short
- A Fox News poll published in October found that 88% of US voters are extremely or very concerned about corruption in government.
- Harris polling for The Guardian found nine in ten Americans consider corruption a problem and 76% believe public officials care more about enriching themselves.
- More than 51 million people have already voted early in the US midterms, 25% more than in the 2022 elections.
- All 435 House seats and 35 of the 100 Senate seats are being contested, with Democrats needing four more House seats for control.
- The Brennan Center for Justice estimates references to government ethics in campaign ads are at their highest level in 14 years.
Corruption has become the second-ranking concern for US voters in Tuesday’s midterm elections, behind only the cost of living, according to several polls. All 435 House seats, 35 of the 100 Senate seats and numerous governorships and state legislatures are on the ballot.
What do the polls say about corruption?
A Fox News poll published in October found that 88% of US voters said they were “extremely” or “very” concerned about corruption in government. A separate survey by Harris for Britain’s The Guardian found that nine in ten Americans consider corruption a problem, and that 76% believe public officials care more about enriching themselves than about improving people’s lives.
The Harris survey placed only the cost of living above corruption as a factor in voting decisions, ahead of immigration and healthcare.
What changed in the final stretch of the campaign?
“Just six months ago, corruption was not a top issue for voters. A few days out from the midterms, it has absolutely become one of the issues,” pollster Frank Luntz said.
The Brennan Center for Justice estimates that references to government ethics in campaign advertising have reached their highest level in 14 years: about 24% in House races and 16% in Senate races.
Which candidates face ethics allegations?
Democratic candidates have concentrated their criticism on the business dealings of President Donald Trump and his family, particularly in cryptocurrencies, and on more than US$300 million in private donations for the ballroom being built at the White House, including US$25 million each from Apple and Nvidia. In Argentina, a judge dropped a criminal case against President Javier Milei over the $Libra crypto affair.
Allegations also involve candidates from both parties: Republican Ken Paxton in Texas, the Democratic Senate candidate in Minnesota over alleged welfare fraud, and the campaign of Democrat Mary Peltola in Alaska, under investigation for allegedly promoting a candidate with the same surname as her rival.
How many people have already voted?
More than 51 million people have voted early, 25% more than in the 2022 midterms. Polls favour the Democrats, who need four more seats to control the House and at least four more to take the Senate, with close races in Michigan, Alaska, Maine, Iowa, Ohio, Kansas and Texas. Trump closed his campaign on Sunday with rallies in Iowa and Kansas.
The US vote comes weeks after Brazil’s presidential election, in which Lula won re-election after overturning a first-round defeat.
Frequently asked questions
What are US voters most concerned about in the midterms?
The cost of living ranks first and corruption second in polling before the vote, ahead of immigration and healthcare, according to a Harris survey for The Guardian.
How many seats are up in the US midterm elections?
All 435 House seats and 35 of the 100 Senate seats are being contested, along with numerous governorships and state legislatures.
How many Americans have already voted?
More than 51 million people have voted early, 25% more than in the 2022 midterms.
What did the Fox News poll on corruption find?
The October poll found that 88% of voters said they were extremely or very concerned about corruption in government.
With reporting from en.mercopress.com.
Stock image, not from the events described. City Skyline — Joe deSousa / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)
