A significant majority of voters are unhappy with the current state of the nation and desire substantial change, according to a new Fox News Poll. Widespread economic pessimism and a general discontent with political elites are fueling a call for major shifts in leadership and policy.
The poll indicates that 4 in 10 voters are looking for "dramatic" or "revolutionary" change. This sentiment is particularly strong among Democrats, with 68% expressing extreme motivation to vote in November, an 11-point increase over Republicans. Among Republicans, MAGA adherents show higher motivation (66%) than non-MAGA Republicans (41%).
On the generic House ballot, 53% of voters would support the Democratic candidate compared to 46% for the Republican, a 7-point lead for Democrats that is the highest for either party in Fox News polling since 1996. This advantage is even more pronounced in districts where the 2024 presidential vote was close, with Democrats leading by 59% to 41%.
Economic concerns are a primary driver of voter dissatisfaction. Three-quarters of voters rate the economy negatively, and a similar proportion report that inflation has caused them financial hardship, with 34% describing it as "serious" hardship. Looking ahead, 54% expect the economy to worsen in the coming year, with only Republicans expressing optimism (71%).
President Trump's job approval remains low, standing at 39%, just above his historical low. He receives net-negative ratings for his handling of immigration, Iran, the economy, and inflation.
Beyond specific leaders, voters express disillusionment with both political parties and the broader system. A majority of voters believe the political system favors the wealthy, and dissatisfaction extends to elected officials, with nearly 7 in 10 voters disapproving of both Democrats and Republicans in Congress. Many in both parties feel betrayed by their own side for allegedly selling out to special interests.
Voters also indicate a strong preference for new faces, with twice as many saying it is more important to elect new people than to keep those with experience. Support for a mandatory retirement age for members of Congress is high, with 85% in favor.
The poll also touched on broader ideological views, showing a slight positive shift for socialism, though capitalism remains more favorably viewed overall. Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders garners a favorable view from 45% of voters, making him more popular than Vice President J.D. Vance, former President Trump, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The survey of 1,003 registered voters was conducted July 17-20, 2026, by Beacon Research and Shaw & Company Research for Fox News. The margin of sampling error for the full sample is ±3 percentage points.