Democracy was top Jewish voter concern in midterms, not Israel or antisemitism - poll

A J Street poll of 800 Jewish voters finds 44% named democracy as their top issue in the 2026 midterms, with antisemitism at 21% and Israel at 14%. 72% voted Democratic. 60% of respondents under 35 view the Gaza war as genocide. 31% back ending all military aid to Israel.

A new J Street poll of 800 Jewish voters conducted from October 28 to November 3 finds that the future of democracy was the top issue in the 2026 midterm elections, cited by 44% of respondents. Antisemitism ranked third at 21%, and Israel fifth at 14%. The cost of living was second at 34%. 72% of respondents voted for Democratic congressional candidates and disapproved of President Donald Trump. Orthodox voters trended more Republican. The survey did not specifically poll Jews in Michigan, where Democratic senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed prompted consternation. Roughly 60% of respondents under 35 view Israel's war in Gaza as genocide. 31% backed ending all military aid to Israel, while 39% said yes with conditions and 30% yes with no conditions. Trump announced on Election Day he planned to end the $3.8 billion defense assistance to Israel. 65% support a two-state solution. J Street's founder said the results show the organization's positions reflect majority opinion in the American Jewish community.