In the first major elections of President Donald Trump’s second term, voters in Virginia, New Jersey, California and New York City are expressing broad dissatisfaction with Trump — and with both political parties, according to early results from the NBC News Exit Poll.
Most voters in those elections are dissatisfied with the way things are going in the country today, and they continue to express concern about financial issues and the economy.
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The governor’s races in New Jersey and Virginia, as well as a closely watched mayoral election in New York City and the redistricting ballot measure in California, highlight the first big Election Day of Trump’s second term.
The results of Tuesday night’s elections will offer an early, though limited, window into how voters feel about his efforts to reshape Washington and the country, providing clues for candidates on both sides ahead of pivotal midterm elections next year.
How is Trump handling his second term in office?
Trump’s overall job approval is underwater among voters casting ballots for governor in New Jersey and Virginia — two states that have voted against Trump each time he has run for president. Majorities of voters who turned out for the 2025 contests disapprove of the way Trump is handling his job as president: 55% in New Jersey, 56% in Virginia.
In the New York mayoral race, just 29% of voters approve of Trump, according to the exit poll, as do 36% in California. There, the Proposition 50 ballot measure will decide whether the state will change its congressional map in response to Republican-led redistricting pushed by Trump in Texas and other states.
How do voters see the Democratic and Republican parties?
Beyond views of the president, neither the Republican nor the Democratic Party is seen in particularly positive terms among voters this year.
In Virginia, New Jersey, and California, more voters expressed unfavorable than favorable views of the Democratic Party. Views of the Republican Party are not quite as negative, but still, the party was not seen in favorable terms by a majority in any state surveyed.
A grim national outlook
Voters picking new governors in New Jersey and Virginia also expressed concern about the way things are going in the country these days.
In New Jersey, 65% said they are angry or dissatisfied with the direction of the country, and only 33% said they are satisfied or enthusiastic.
In Virginia, 63% said they are angry or dissatisfied about the direction of the country, compared with just 35% who had positive views of the country.
Economic concerns and the cost of living
Voters in each of the states surveyed over the last several weeks said economic issues — or the cost of living — were the most important issues facing their states. In Virginia and California, the economy topped the list of voters’ concerns. And in New York City, 56% of voters said the cost of living was the most important issue. In New Jersey, taxes and the economy both ranked high on voters’ list of concerns.
Financial worries came through as voters described their own families’ financial situations. In each state surveyed, most voters said they were either “holding steady” or actively falling behind financially. Far smaller shares in any state or locality said they were “getting ahead.”
In several states, voters point to specific financial pains
In New Jersey, a majority of voters said property taxes and electricity costs were “major” problems in their state. Overall, 60% said the state’s economy is not so good or poor. Only 38% said it was good or excellent.
In Virginia, where the government shutdown and federal government cuts affected many families this year, 6 in 10 said federal government cuts this year affected their families’ finances a lot (20%) or a little (39%).
A large majority of New York City voters said the cost of living was the most important issue facing the city: 72% said the cost of housing was a major problem, and 65% said the city’s economy was not so good or poor.
Trump on immigration
Trump said he won in 2024 because of the border and grocery prices. But voters today are divided over his actions on immigration.
