GRASSROOTS INTELLIGENCE REPORT
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Americans for Prosperity has one of the largest grassroots operations in the country. AFP speaks to hundreds of thousands of voters in person, in their communities, all across America.
Americans Unscripted is what we’re hearing. Each month we report on what’s actually top of mind for voters, drawn straight from those conversations. This edition reflects 81,673 of them, gathered across eight states in the first half of October 2026, as the campaign entered itsfinal weeks.
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SWING VOTERS ARE SOURING ON DSA AND THE DEMOCRAT PARTY’S DIRECTION
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As socialism has drawn more attention this election season, AFP canvassers began asking voters about it directly at the door in September. This is the first time we’re sharing what they heard.
Among swing voters we spoke to, sentiment has shifted in a few notable ways in recent weeks. In September, they were evenly split on whether the Democrat Party is controlled by the far left; in the first half of October, a clear majority said it is. Views of DSA turned more negative, and more of them chose personal freedom and free markets over more government control as the country’s path forward.
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In Keene, N.H., AFP canvasser Derek met a couple who usually vote Democrat. Their message: they “do not want socialists writing one set of rules for themselves and another for everyone else.”
Among all the voters we spoke to, including swing and Republican-leaning voters, the verdict was more decisive: 76% said the Democrat Party is controlled by the far left, and unfavorable views of DSA outnumbered favorable ones nearly seven to one, 69% to 10%.
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Questions asked:
"Which comes closest to your view of the Democrat Party?"
"What is your opinion of the faction within the Democrat Party called Democrat Socialist of America (DSA)?"
"Which comes closest to your view on the path forward for the United States of America?"
Swing voters: about 5,400 to 6,000 answered each question in September and 9,000 to 10,200 in October 1–16.
Republican-leaning and swing voters combined, October 1–16: about 21,000 to 23,500 per question.
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WHO DO VOTERS TRUST TO BRING COSTS DOWN?
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ON COST, SWING VOTERS TACKED TOWARD DEMOCRATS
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On the cost of living, the picture is different. When asked which party they trust more to lower costs, Democrats have gained a slight advantage in our most recent conversations.
Republicans still maintain a 43% to 41% advantage with Swing voters we’ve spoken with from August to mid-October, but the trend lines shifted recently to Democrats. In August, swing voters gave Republicans a narrow edge, 44% to 39%. September held close, 43% to 40%. In the first half of October, 45% trusted Democrats more, 36% trusted Republicans, and 18% trusted neither.
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Question asked: "Which party do you trust more to lower the cost of living?"
Based on conversations with swing voters: 24,089 in August, 19,759 in September, and 5,739 in October 1–16, 2026.
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In Durham, N.H., a young woman told AFP canvasser Matt that the cost of things like gas and food is becoming “out of control.” Less than an hour south in Salem, N.H., small businesses are feeling it too. “Inflation and fuel costs are squeezing my business,” said Nick, a local contractor.
Why it matters: Economic concerns have only grown in recent months. Among voters who named a top issue, the share naming affordability or jobs and the economy rose from 52.7% in August to 57.7% in September and 58.1% in the first half of October. Voters are telling us this is a pocketbook election.
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SOCIALISM IS ON THE BALLOT
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Swing voters we spoke with in October were clear about what they don’t want: socialism. Unfavorable views of DSA outnumbered favorable ones three to one. “Nothing is free,” Michael from Holland, MI, told an AFP volunteer. “There’s an agenda behind all these promises of free benefits.”
That’s why AFP has been making the case for months: candidates must draw a stark contrast with those who share DSA’s socialist views and point to solutions that will lower costs for Americans.
That contrast persuades and motivates. Nearly 60% of persuadable voters our canvassers spoke with were moved by a warning about socialism and a credible plan to lower costs.
Core elements of that plan should include:
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- Streamline permitting so more energy and more housing bring prices down
- Put patients in charge of their health care dollars
- Rein in the government spending that drives up the cost of everything else
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A clear contrast with socialism paired with a credible plan to address cost of living is the message Republicans must deliver to hold ground on November 3.
We’re not done listening. After Election Day, Americans Unscripted will look back at what voters told us, how it played out in the midterms, and what it means for what comes next.
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4201 Wilson Blvd., Suite 1000, Arlington, VA 22203
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Americans Unscripted reflects in-person conversations with voters conducted by AFP staff and volunteers across battleground states. It is not a scientific poll.
Swing and Republican-leaning audiences are defined by i360 propensity modeling, not by party registration.
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© 2026 AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. | PRIVACY POLICY
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