Political leaders across both Washington, D.C., and Jefferson City are facing mounting dissatisfaction among Missouri voters, according to the latest statewide survey released by Saint Louis University and YouGov. The findings reflect a broad downturn in public confidence that spans the presidency, the federal legislature, the judiciary, and state-level governance.
The semiannual research project collected responses from 900 likely voters throughout Missouri between August 13 and August 24. Conducted twice every year since its inception in 2020, the survey carries a margin of error of 4.09 percentage points, providing an updated look at the electorate's sentiment regarding key officials, commercial infrastructure, and high-profile ballot measures.
For the first time in the polling project's six-year history, President Donald Trump's statewide approval rating has fallen below the 50 percent threshold. The August survey found that 48 percent of respondents approve of his performance in office, whereas 52 percent express disapproval. The current rating represents a steady decline from February 2026, when his approval stood at 53 percent, and from the previous year, when it was measured at 56 percent.
Poll director Steve Rogers, a political science professor at Saint Louis University, emphasized the historical significance of the shift within the state. He noted that Trump's numbers have now moved into negative territory for the first time since the university began tracking voter sentiment in 2020, pointing to growing voter discontent in what has traditionally been a reliable stronghold.
The downward trend in voter sentiment also extends to Missouri's representation in the upper chamber of the United States Congress. Republican Senator Josh Hawley saw his approval rating slip to 47 percent, marking his lowest standing in the survey since 2023. Fellow Republican Senator Eric Schmitt experienced a comparable decline, falling to 44 percent approval, which matches his lowest level since August 2023.
Public views of the legislative and judicial branches in the nation's capital have similarly deteriorated. Approval for the United States Congress dropped to 25 percent in August 2026, continuing a downward trajectory from 33 percent in February 2026 and an all-time peak of 41 percent reached in February 2025, even with Republicans holding majorities in both chambers. The United States Supreme Court has likewise seen its support erode, falling from 51 percent in February 2025 to 45 percent in the most recent survey.
State officials in Missouri are confronting their own significant drops in voter popularity. Governor Mike Kehoe suffered a steep 10-point decrease over a six-month span, plummeting from a 50 percent approval rating recorded in February 2026 down to 40 percent in August 2026.
The Missouri State Legislature experienced a parallel reduction in public standing over the same timeframe. Legislative approval decreased from 51 percent in February to 42 percent in August, demonstrating that frustration among the electorate is not confined to federal lawmakers or the executive branch.
In the contest for State Auditor of Missouri, incumbent Republican Scott Fitzpatrick is facing an unexpectedly competitive climate, with survey results placing the race within the poll's 4.09 percent margin of error. Rogers explained that Fitzpatrick, unlike many of his statewide colleagues, is contending with an election environment shaped by a midterm slump that presents significant challenges for Republican incumbents.
Rogers highlighted how the changing political environment has reversed earlier dynamics. While widespread dissatisfaction with former President Joe Biden created a favorable climate for state Republicans in 2022, the political atmosphere in 2026 has shifted, exposing statewide candidates to broader voter frustration directed at the governing party.
Beyond individual officeholders, the survey highlighted growing public pushback against technological infrastructure development, particularly data center projects designed to house and operate enterprise computer servers. Opposition has intensified significantly when respondents are asked about developments planned close to home.
According to the poll results, 68 percent of Missouri voters now voice opposition to having data centers built within their local communities, representing a 17-point surge compared to the 51 percent opposition recorded in February. The poll examined this issue through a split-sample methodology of 449 respondents per group to test how question ordering—asking about statewide versus local development first—influenced responses.
The poll also evaluated voter sentiment on several major initiatives scheduled for the November 3 general election ballot, revealing divided opinions and substantial uncertainty on high-profile constitutional proposals.
Support for Amendment 3, a measure designed to overturn the 2024 voter-approved repeal of the state's abortion ban, fell from 50 percent in February down to 43 percent in August. With 44 percent of surveyed voters opposing the amendment, the proposed constitutional change currently sits in a statistical dead heat within the margin of error.
Voters demonstrated higher initial backing for Amendment 6, which aims to limit the Missouri General Assembly's authority to alter citizen-led initiative petitions. Under the proposal, any legislative modification to voter-passed laws or amendments would require an 80 percent supermajority in the legislature as well as subsequent approval through a statewide ratification vote. While 48 percent expressed support for the measure, Rogers noted that nearly one-third of the electorate remains undecided.
Finally, voter clarity appeared lowest on Proposition A, which Rogers indicated generated notable confusion among survey participants. The combined polling data underscore a turbulent political climate in Missouri as voters reconsider their support for leadership and prepare to decide critical policy questions at the ballot box.
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