Democrats hold a narrow but meaningful edge over Republicans one year before the 2026 midterm elections, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS. The survey shows 47% of registered voters favoring the Democratic candidate in their district, compared with 42% backing the Republican.

While the Democrats’ 5-point lead is smaller than the 11-point advantage they held a year before the 2018 midterms, it still signals a favorable trend amid growing discontent with President Donald Trump’s second-term performance.

CNN’s Poll of Polls places Trump’s approval slightly higher at 41%, but both metrics confirm a steady decline across partisan and demographic groups since summer 2025.

Voter motivation favors Democrats

Democratic-leaning voters appear significantly more energized heading into

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