Abortion was a bigger concern than expected

Inflation was a bigger concern for voters than abortion, but not by as much as polling immediately before the election suggested.

Nearly a third of voters nationally said inflation was their top concern, and 27% said abortion was their priority in exit polling.

Abortion was mainly an issue for voters who backed Democratic congressional candidates, 44% of whom identified it as their top priority in exit polling. Almost half of the voters who cast their ballots for Republican candidates said they were concerned about inflation.

Support for abortion rights in most or all cases was high – rising to 60% from 51% in the last election – indicating voters shared Democrats’ opinion on the issue, even if it was a not a major factor in their vote.

A ballot measure inserting abortion rights into Michigan’s state constitution passed, and the question appeared to boost Democratic candidates in close contests, including Hassan, who gave it prominent placement in their campaign messages. The issue was less effective for Democratic candidates in long-shot Senate races in Missouri, Florida and elsewhere.