The dynamics of American elections are changing rapidly. The old idea that Democrats only showed up to vote in presidential elections has been disproved in recent years as Democrats turned out in greater numbers in midterm, off-year and special elections.
Republicans can no longer compete in elections that many voters used to ignore because they thought they had a built-in advantage.
Donald Trump’s second presidency has accelerated this changing behavior. Voters dissatisfied with Trump’s presidency are showing up to vote at every opportunity. Turnout for the 2025 elections was high, with municipal elections taking place for the vast majority of the country.
Trump’s unpopularity is so pervasive and satiating that it is overwhelming what experts thought they knew about voting patterns and turnout.
New data from the Marist Poll shows that voters are doing everything they can to end Trump’s presidency.
First, let’s look at the Trump factor:
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President Trump’s approval rating among Americans stands at 39%, down slightly from 41% in September. 56% of Americans disapprove of the job the president is doing while in office. This compared to 53% previously.
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26% of Americans say they strongly approve of President Trump’s job, while 48% strongly disapprove.
Many presidents have been unpopular, but the intensity of Trump’s unpopularity during the first year of his second term is historic. The urgency the American people feel is driven by a distaste for Trump, and the rejection of Trump is fueled by one dominant issue that is not the Epstein files.
The numbers get much worse for Trump and the Republicans, as you’ll see below.
