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The state of democracy and the economy were the two most important issues to American voters, according to early ABC News exit polls released on Election Day (November 5).
The majority of respondents viewed American democracy as being more threatened than secured, a 73% to 25% margin. Voters also shared more negative than positive views on the direction of the country, with 72% saying they were dissatisfied or angry, however, more respondents said the United States' best days were ahead, with only about a third claiming the country's best days were in the past.
About 67% viewed the American economy as being in bad shape and 45% said their financial situation had gotten worse than in 2020, while 30% said it remained the same and 24% said it improved. The "worse off" option was higher than the 2008 election, which was at 42%, and far exceeded the 2020 (20%) and 2016 (28%) elections.
President Joe Biden was reported to have a 41% job approval rating and 58% disapproval rating, which was the lowest by a sitting president since George W. Bush had a 27% approval rating when he set to leave office during the 2008 election.
Former President Donald Trump is reportedly viewed as "too extreme" by 55% of respondents and has a personal favorability rating between 44% and 55%, while Vice President Kamala Harris' is reported to be between 48% to 50%, while 46% view her views as "too extreme."
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