One of the most notable effects of the conflict in the Middle East for Americans has been rising gas prices. Newspapers across the country have reported increases of as much as $1.50 per gallon, and, as of late March, gas prices nationally topped $4 per gallon for the first time since 2022. These price rises are a direct result of the conflagration in Iran, and they also represent an additional stressor for a population that’s already worried about affordability.
Using Resonate’s political intelligence, let’s take a deep dive into one particular group that may feel the stress more keenly than others: Economically Anxious, Non-Interventionist Registered Voters who believe the United States should let Israel and Iran settle their differences on their own.
Who Are the Economically Anxious, Non-Interventionist Registered Voters?
This audience, which contains some 35M voters, is 51% female, 57% married individuals, and mostly (62%) without children under the age of 18. They’re also mostly college-educated: 33% have some college, 24% have a degree, and 17% have a post-grad degree. Forty-six percent are employed full-time. These details matter, but the motivations data tells a deeper story.
This group’s top three personal values are as follows: everyone treated equally, caring for nature, and freedom to determine actions. Their hobbies show them to be an active group of people who enjoy baking for fun, exercising regularly, and watching documentaries.
Forty-eight percent are aligned with the Democratic Party, while 24% are aligned with Republicans. Just over a quarter (26%) are aligned with Independent Party platforms.
The 26% Independent means that slightly over a quarter of this audience will disengage the moment messaging feels like a partisan call to arms. For them, their economic anxiety and desire to focus more on issues at home is an argument that rises above party lines. It’s a common sense one.
What Motivates This Audience?
Let’s go back to the personal values and look at the first one: equality, or treating everyone equally. For these voters, life is about social justice. In their behaviors and sentiments, they look to emphasize the equality and protection of all people. In your creative and messaging, consider using themes of equality, fairness, and tolerance, or highlight philanthropy and social activism activities to better resonate with these voters.
For the Economically Anxious, Non-Interventionist Registered Voter, equality and the second personal value on the list, caring for nature, are of equal importance. An emphasis on preserving the natural environment resonates very strongly with these voters. To better connect with this audience, consider using themes of unity with nature, safekeeping, and conservation in your creative and messaging.
The third personal value is independence, defined as having the freedom to determine one’s own actions. This audience believes in being self-directed, self-reliant, and looking for solutions to problems themselves rather than depending on others. For them, life is a sequence of events that are primarily under their own control. To engage with this audience, consider using themes of choice, decision-making, and opportunity in your creative and messaging.
What Exactly Are the Economically Anxious Non-Interventionist Voters Worried About?
Resonate data reveals that this audience is concerned primarily about a few core issues: affordability and leadership in the US government. Let’s dive into affordability first.
Affordability is an undercurrent of many of this group’s chief concerns. For example, 64% of the Economically Anxious, Non-Interventionist Voters are worried about rising fuel, oil, and gas prices, while 53% are concerned that wage increases aren’t keeping up with the costs of living. Sixty-seven percent fear a US economic slowdown or recession in the next six months. Concerns about healthcare costs and debt (63%), worries over cuts to federally funded services (54%), and uncertainty over potential tax increases (54%) all rank highly in affordability related issues impacting this group.
Then, there’s leadership. The audience already believes that the United States should stay out of any conflict between Israel and Iran, and the current foreign policy approach is in direct contradiction to this core belief. Sixty-five percent of these voters are worried about poor leadership in the US government, and 66% are concerned about corruption. In contrast, just 32% have geopolitical concerns like terrorism or nuclear threats, further painting a picture of a group of voters who find more to fear at home than they do abroad.
What Are Their Most Influential Sources of Information for Elections?
In terms of media consumption, the Economically Anxious, Non-Interventionist Registered Voters tend to get their election information from broadcast news/programming and from print and online newspapers. When it comes to making ballot-box decisions, they often act on a combination of gut instinct and what they saw in candidate debates, underscoring the importance of this forum for this group.
Want to learn more about the issues that are on the minds of registered voters across the nation? Download our April 2026 Voter Trends Report today to get a detailed look at what’s driving national voter behavior and sentiment. If you’re ready to start talking about how continuously updated political intelligence will move the needle for your own campaign, schedule a consultation with a data expert today.
