US voters in 17 states name economy and immigration as top midterm concerns

Voters the BBC spoke to in 17 US states named the economy and the immigration crackdown among their top concerns ahead of the country's midterm elections. The BBC's video, titled "What issues matter most to American voters in the midterm", also included voters who cited fears that the country could become either fascist or communist. The states covered were California, Texas, Michigan, Illinois, Arizona, Missouri, Oklahoma, Colorado, Alabama, Nebraska, Florida, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and New York.

The midterms are held halfway through a president's four-year term, and voters use them to elect members of Congress. Their results can affect how much a president is able to pass through the legislature.

Reuters reported in October that voters had consistently ranked the cost of living as the top issue in the 2026 midterm cycle. A final poll before Election Day, cited by PBS, found that the cost of living was top of mind for 34% of likely voters. The same poll found that preserving democracy was top of mind for 33%.