--- title: "Poll finds most voters believe US is heading in wrong direction" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/poll-finds-most-voters-believe-us-is-heading-in-wrong-direction" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/poll-finds-most-voters-believe-us-is-heading-in-wrong-direction" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/poll-finds-most-voters-believe-us-is-heading-in-wrong-direction.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/poll-finds-most-voters-believe-us-is-heading-in-wrong-direction" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-08-30T22:25:13.837Z" source_reported: "2026-08-30T20:00:00.000Z" updated: "2026-08-30T22:25:13.837Z" trust_score: 58 critic_score: 77 hype_score: 15 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-30T22:15:50.145820+00:00" --- # Poll finds most voters believe US is heading in wrong direction *Independent voters are among the most dissatisfied ahead of the midterm elections, according to a new poll.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 58 of 100, higher is better. Trust 58: multiple independent digests cite the Center Square poll with specific percentages. - Craft 77 of 100, higher is better. Critic 77: provides context, clear facts, specific figures, and coherent summary. - Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Hype 15: language is measured and proportional to the poll summary. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - A national poll shows 60% of registered voters believe the country is going in the wrong direction. - Only 30% of registered voters stated the country is headed in the right direction. - Independent voters are identified as being among the most dissatisfied. - The findings come as the US heads into midterm elections. A national poll has found that a majority of registered voters believe the United States is heading in the wrong direction. The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll indicated that 60% of registered voters hold this view. In contrast, 30% of registered voters believe the country is headed in the right direction, and 10% expressed uncertainty. The poll also highlighted the sentiment among independent voters, who are often seen as key to close electoral races. According to the findings, independent voters are among the most dissatisfied with the country's current direction. These results emerge as the nation approaches midterm elections. ## Coverage comparison ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mention the specific percentage of voters who believe the country is headed in the right direction or the percentage who are unsure. The left-rated and centre-rated digests do not include these figures either. ## Who covered it Shares of the 7 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 14% (1) - Centre: 15% (1) - Right: 71% (5) 0 of 7 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-30T22:15:50.145820+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-30T22:30:37.293Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - The Watauga Democrat digest reported that most American voters believe the country is on the wrong track heading into the midterm elections. It noted that independent voters, who often decide close races, are among the most dissatisfied, according to a new national poll. ### Centre - The Purdue Exponent digest stated that most American voters believe the country is on the wrong track heading into the midterm elections. It also reported that independent voters, who often decide close races, are among the most dissatisfied, according to a new national poll. ### Right - Five right-rated digests reported that most American voters believe the country is on the wrong track heading into the midterm elections. They highlighted that independent voters, who often decide close races, are among the most dissatisfied, according to a new national poll. The Daily Signal, The Center Square, Vincennes Sun-Commercial, and [your]NEWS digests stated that 60% of registered voters say the country is going in the wrong direction. The Daily Bo Snerdley digest added that 30% say it is headed in the right direction and 10% are unsure. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 2 - high: 2 - unknown: 1 - veryHigh: 2 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [The Daily Signal](https://dailysignal.com/2026/08/30/poll-independents-sour-before-midterms) — Poll: Independents Sour on Country’s Direction Before Midterms - [thedailybs.com](https://thedailybs.com/2026/08/30/poll-independents-sour-on-countrys-direction-before-midterms) — Poll: Independents sour on country's direction before midterms - The Daily Bo Snerdley - [Watauga Democrat](https://wataugademocrat.com/news/national/poll-independents-sour-on-countrys-direction-before-midterms/article_36d9a815-f4a8-591e-8049-ef19430705eb.html) — Poll: Independents sour on country's direction before midterms - [The Center Square](https://thecentersquare.com/national/article_e2cf163f-2b11-4ba5-b781-1fbfdc279003.html) — Poll: Independents sour on country's direction before midterms - [Vincennes Sun-Commercial](https://suncommercial.com/news/national/article_801e36ae-e0d5-5219-a962-8f3ba2f0eb1d.html) — Poll: Independents sour on country's direction before midterms - [[your]NEWS](https://yournews.com/2026/08/30/7181184/poll-independents-sour-on-countrys-direction-before-midterms) — Poll: Independents sour on country’s direction before midterms - [Purdue Exponent](https://purdueexponent.org/news/national/poll-independents-sour-on-countrys-direction-before-midterms/article_1b058f86-7168-5542-89ea-2cee29c11dff.html) — Poll: Independents sour on country's direction before midterms ## Questions **What percentage of voters believe the country is going in the wrong direction?** According to The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll, 60% of registered voters believe the country is going in the wrong direction. This finding suggests a widespread dissatisfaction with the current national trajectory. **What percentage of voters believe the country is headed in the right direction?** The Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll found that 30% of registered voters believe the country is headed in the right direction. This indicates a minority view among the electorate surveyed. **Which group of voters is noted for its dissatisfaction?** The poll identified independent voters as being among the most dissatisfied with the country's direction. This group often plays a crucial role in determining the outcomes of close elections. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/poll-finds-most-voters-believe-us-is-heading-in-wrong-direction. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Poll finds most voters believe US is heading in wrong direction", https://mediabias.news/politics/poll-finds-most-voters-believe-us-is-heading-in-wrong-direction