The Democrats now lead the GOP by eight points on the Generic Congressional Ballot. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that, if given the choice, 45% of voters would choose their district’s Democratic candidate, while 37% would choose the Republican candidate.

From now through Election Day, Rasmussen Reports is tracking the Generic Congressional Ballot on a weekly basis and releasing the results each Tuesday. Premium Members can get an advance look at the results each Monday and can also review full demographic Crosstabs.

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The latest numbers are slightly better for the GOP, who trailed the Democrats by ten points a week ago.

Over the past year, Democratic support has ranged from a low of 43% to a high of 50%. Over that same time, Republicans have been preferred by 34% to 41% of voters nationwide.

Among voters not affiliated with either party, the Democrats have a 34% to 29% advantage. Women prefer Democrats by a 48% to 34% margin, while men are more evenly divided, with 43% who would vote Democrat and 41% who would choose Republican.

Voters who believe national security is the top electoral issue favor Republicans by a 60% to 27% margin; those who say the economy is the most important issue choose the Democrats by a 59% to 24% margin.

Rasmussen Reports tracking data also shows just 23% of voters believe the nation is heading in the right direction, while 72% think the country has gotten off on the wrong track. Those numbers have remained relatively steady since weekly tracking began.

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