Voters in Dundalk, Maryland, are heading into this year’s US midterm election in November citing cost-of-living pressures as key motivations, alongside issues such as crime, immigration and gasoline prices. Residents say higher prices—especially for transport—are shaping how they plan to vote.

Both outlets describe how everyday expenses influence local views of what the election will change. One resident says they avoid driving and rely on public transport because they cannot afford a vehicle, while others point to high gas prices and broader concerns including public safety and immigration. The coverage frames these concerns as part of the “usual” election debate at the local level, linked to inflation and household affordability rather than only to national policy.

While the outlets differ slightly in emphasis—RTE highlights the mix of gas prices, crime and immigration, and Jowhar.com foregrounds personal affordability and reliance on buses—both report that inflation-driven pressures are a prominent theme in voter sentiment in the run-up to the midterms.