Affordability top of mind for voters in final sprint to midterms: ‘I have to pick between medicine or groceries’

Cost of living has loomed over this election cycle as workers and unions champion candidates fighting for higher wages and tackling rising prices

For millions of Americans heading to the polls on Tuesday, affordability is a constant and worsening issue, and it's been a prevailing concern this election cycle.

In Lorain county, Ohio, Gina Jones and her co-workers at the Lorain county job and family services have been on strike since February 2026, the longest public sector strike in Ohio history and on pace to break the US record for longest public sector strike.