Key Insights from Swing Voters Ahead of Election Day
In the landscape of politics, a small yet pivotal group of voters often holds the power to sway election outcomes. Known as swing voters, these individuals shift their support between parties, and their choices can be decisive. Throughout 2026, NPR has closely observed these voters in swing states, providing a window into their perspectives on key political figures and issues.
In the last two elections, these voters initially supported Joe Biden in 2020 but switched allegiance to Donald Trump in 2024. Their evolving political stance has been documented through the Swing Voter Project, an initiative conducting monthly online focus groups. This project is facilitated by Engagious and Nelson Recruiting, with NPR as a partner.
Findings from the Swing Voter Project
On the cusp of the upcoming Election Day, several significant insights have emerged from these swing voters:
- These Biden-to-Trump voters quickly soured on the president
- Voters are able to draw a direct line from Trump’s decisions to their feelings about the economy
- It’s not like Democrats are popular either!
- There appears to be a convergence among voters on the left and right in support of economic populism
- There’s broad concern about artificial intelligence and the proliferation of data centers
For a more in-depth understanding, listen to the full discussion using the audio player above, where these findings and voter sentiments are explored.
This special — “Swing voters and the issues that matter” — was edited by Ben Swasey and produced by Lexie Schapitl.
People cast ballots on the first day of early voting in New York on Oct. 24. Ryan Murphy/AFP via Getty Images
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