PHILADELPHIA - The public's perception of violent crime is increasing, and elected officials are likely to be held responsible for the rise in crime.  While 36% of American voters approve of President Biden's handling of the opioid pandemic, 54% approve of his handling of the economy, and 46% approve of his handling of the violent crime pandemic, the President faces division within his own party over how to respond to the crisis. This will give Republicans an opportunity to gain ground on this issue.


Gun Violence

With the recent mass shootings, gun violence and abortion rights have become more salient issues for voters. In addition, the Republican Party's message of change and support for law enforcement has riled swing suburban voters. As a result, these issues will likely dominate the campaign.

The issue of gun violence is linked to a broader perception of increasing divisions in the United States. According to Pew Research Center polls, more than half of Americans say that the U.S. is more divided than it was when they were growing up. The tone of the country's politics has become much harsher.

State And Federal Funding For Law Enforcement

If you're one of the many Americans who are worried about crime and terrorism, state and federal funding for law enforcement is an issue of great importance.  As a result, both Democrats and Republicans have been trying to portray themselves as tougher on crime. Democrats have been decrying the violence that took place in the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021, while Republicans have defended the actions.

However, the debate isn't all about law enforcement. Voter fraud is a false pretense that is used to justify increased state prosecutorial resources. The issue has a longer-term impact: if a candidate is convicted of voter fraud, they will lose their office.

Political Polarization

Voters in the U.S. face various issues, including gun violence and the economy. The recent Capitol attack is a top headliner, and many states are restricting access to abortion. Inflation is also at an all-time high. Yet despite these problems, voters prioritize the issues affecting their wallets.

In a recent YouGov survey, four9% of Americans placed violent crime on their "very big problems" list, with the economy and the pandemic rounding out the top three. While Democrats are more likely to regard crime as a top issue, Republicans have an opportunity to gain ground on the issue.

Jobs

The most recent YouGov poll, conducted in May, shows that violence in the U.S. is the top issue among American voters. Inflation and the economy are not far behind. However, crime is still a top concern among voters. And it's not just Democrats who see violence as a top issue. In fact, most African-Americans and Hispanics see it as one of their top issues, too.

The study, conducted from July 21 to August 1, 2022, included 1,538 adults from across the U.S. and was conducted via landline and cellular phones. The data was weighted for gender, race, education, household income, and Census region. The margin of sampling error is 3.5 percentage points, including the design effect.

Inflation

While the economy is the top issue for voters in the mid-term elections, the issue of crime is also high on the agenda. In the last month, more Americans have heard about crime than about the economy. Moreover, 74% of Americans say that crime is a serious problem. And while the economy is the most pressing issue, it is not enough to make voters vote for a particular party. Rather, it is crucial to attract independent voters in swing districts and purple states.

Inflation is the top issue for voters in the mid-term elections in 2022. According to a recent poll by FiveThirtyEight and Ipsos, the issue is the top concern for American adults. Rising prices are having a negative impact on Americans' finances and are causing major changes in their lives. The poll also explores the perceived causes of inflation, the role of the private sector, and the role of the government in the economy.