The initial results of a national exit poll conducted during this year's presidential election reveal a significant shift in voter perceptions of the economy compared to the previous election cycle. Only about one-third of voters believe the economy is in good or excellent shape, a notable decrease from the approximately half who held this view in 2020.
According to the poll, roughly one-third of voters view the economy as not so good, while another third consider it poor. This sentiment is reflected in voters' personal financial situations, with just one-quarter stating that they are better off than they were four years ago. In contrast, about 45% of voters feel they are worse off, and approximately 30% report no significant change in their financial status.
Comparing these figures to the 2020 exit polling data, where 40% of voters reported an improvement in their financial situation and only 20% felt they were worse off, highlights the evolving economic concerns among the electorate.
Furthermore, the impact of inflation on households emerges as a key issue, with approximately one-fifth of voters indicating that inflation has caused severe hardship for them and their families over the past year. More than half of respondents reported experiencing moderate hardship due to inflation, while around one-quarter stated that they have faced no hardship at all.
These findings underscore the prevailing economic anxieties that have influenced voter sentiment in the 2022 election, with concerns about the economy, personal financial well-being, and inflation weighing heavily on the minds of the electorate.
