An NBC News survey reveals a significant shift in voter sentiment. As of September 21, 2026, 43 percent of registered voters express a desire to use their congressional vote as an indication of opposition to the current president. This represents a record high since the network began tracking such sentiment in 1998.

The numbers show a rise in protest sentiment compared to the 2018 midterm elections, which took place during the first term of former President Donald Trump. This polling data highlights an increase in political opposition among the electorate, reflecting broader national discontent.