The economy and inflation are the two most important issues to American voters in this year’s midterm elections. That’s according to polls conducted around the country.

For instance, a new Monmouth University poll found that nationally, inflation and crime are American’s biggest priorities, followed by elections, jobs and immigration to round out the top five.

“Because the congressional map favors the GOP, Democrats need to do more than ‘keep it close’ in order to hold onto their House majority. One roadblock for them is that the issue picture favors Republicans,” Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute, said.

State level polls from key battlegrounds have similar results. Voters in Texas, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania all put the economy as number one on their list. They also all have immigration and election integrity or democracy in the top five. That’s according to polls conducted in those states by Marist, Marquette and Siena. 

“So across the waterfront, the issue climate significantly advantages Republicans. But you know, there are other things that matter in elections, and one of the things that matters is candidates and candidate quality. ” Shaw said.  “And right now, I think the general consensus is that Republicans are running into some problems with some of the candidates they’ve nominated, especially in these high profile Senate seats.”

So why are the results so similar around the country? According to the polls, independents and Republicans have similar priorities, and those two groups together are driving the results.

“A major problem for Democrats is their base messaging doesn’t hold as much appeal for independents as the GOP issue agenda does. Even though truly persuadable independents are a rather small group these days, this small difference can have a major impact given the expectation that congressional control will hinge on a handful of very close contests,” Murray said.