The Democrats have modestly expanded their lead in the latest edition of the Generic Congressional Ballot. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that, if given the choice, 46% of voters would choose their district’s Democratic candidate, while 37% would choose the Republican candidate.

Support for the GOP has dropped a single percentage point from last week, while support for the Democrats has gone up one point.

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

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.

The Democrats have managed to hold a steady lead among unaffiliated voters nationwide for the second straight week. Just two weeks ago, the parties were essentially tied among this demographic. Now, the Democrats have a 36% to 28% advantage.

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White voters remain divided between the parties, with 42% who would vote GOP and 41% who choose Democrat. Black voters overwhelmingly choose the Democrats by a 77% to 11% margin.

Voters who say economic issues are their top concern in the upcoming elections favor the Democrats by a 59% to 26% margin. Voters who view national security as the key issue overwhelmingly favor the GOP.

Men are also evenly divided among the parties, with 41% who sway Republican and 43% who choose Democrat. Women choose the Democrats by a 50% to 34% margin.

Barack Obama has managed to pull ahead of John McCain in the past week, according to the daily Presidential Tracking Poll.

Rasmussen Reports tracking data also shows just 13% of voters believe the nation is heading in the right direction, while 84% think the country has gotten off on the wrong track. Those numbers have are decidedly more negative than last week, when 17% thought the nation was heading in the right direction and 78% thought it was going down the wrong track.

Crosstabs available for Premium Members only.