Participants in NPR's Swing Shift project cited surging grocery costs, expensive gas prices, and the overall cost of living as their primary motivators at the ballot box. While surprised by breakthrough wins in traditionally conservative states like Texas, Kansas, and South Carolina, these ticket-splitters view their votes as a mandate for governance. Consequently, they caution lawmakers against derailing progress with investigative battles and presidential impeachment efforts.
Key points
Incoming lawmakers face strong public pressure to prioritize household economic relief ov…: Incoming lawmakers face strong public pressure to prioritize household economic relief over partisan political fighting.
Moderates viewed their midterm ballot choices as an explicit rejection of President Trump…: Moderates viewed their midterm ballot choices as an explicit rejection of President Trump’s governing style.
Electorates strongly cautioned that pursuing presidential impeachment risks devolving the…: Electorates strongly cautioned that pursuing presidential impeachment risks devolving the next two years into gridlock.
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Republicans were dealt a stunning rebuke in last week's midterms. But swing voters, who could be decisive in the next election, are more interested in results than investigations or impeachment as Democrats prepare to take power in Congress.
"I am hoping that we don't experience a bunch of gridlock and a lot of whining and crying and just political infighting for the next two years," said Theresa, a voter from Pennsylvania who is participating in NPR's Swing Shift project. "I'm hoping we don't have that. I fear that we will have that."
NPR has agreed not to use the full names of the Swing Shift voters, so they can speak freely about politics without fear of personal or professional repercussions.
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Theresa voted for President Biden in 2020, President Trump in 2024 and split her ticket in this year's midterms. Like many voters, her top issue this year was affordability. In a voice memo sent to NPR days after the midterms, Theresa said she is eager for the cost of living to come down.
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