Democrats have widened their lead over Republicans in the latest Marquette Law School poll ahead of November’s congressional elections, with likely voters favouring Democratic candidates by 54% to 41%.
The 13-point gap is up from six points in July, when Democrats led 51% to 45%. Among all registered voters, Democrats hold an eight-point advantage, 50% to 42%, compared with a two-point lead in the previous survey.
Marquette Law School poll shows Democratic gains
The national poll, conducted from September 2 to 9, surveyed 1,023 adults. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.
The registered-voter sample included 864 people, with a margin of error of 3.6 points, while the likely-voter sample comprised 581 respondents, with a margin of error of 4.3 points.
Marquette researchers said the Democratic advantage among registered voters was partly driven by support from independents who do not lean towards either party. In that group, 41% backed a Democratic candidate, compared with 10% for a Republican, although 40% said they favoured neither.
Support among committed partisans remained high, with at least 93% of Republican and Democratic voters choosing their own party’s candidate.
Inflation remains voters’ biggest concern
Inflation and the cost of living were cited as the most important issue by 37% of respondents, well ahead of the economy on 16%. The war involving Iran, Israel and the United States was third on 10%, followed by Medicare and Social Security on 9%, and healthcare on 7%.
The poll found that 68% expected inflation and the cost of living to increase over the next year, while only 12% anticipated a fall. Thirty-eight per cent said they were worse off than a year ago, compared with 19% who said they were better off.
President Donald Trump’s overall approval rating stood at 37%. Approval of his handling of inflation and the cost of living was lower, at 19%, while 28% approved of his handling of the economy and 26% of his management of the Iran war.
The results were released by Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
