This year, Americans are paying more for fuel than on any previous Election Day in history
According to the U.S. Constitution, Election Day is to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. That means today, November 3rd, 2026, Americans are heading to the polls to vote for stuff and things. This election is being closely watched worldwide, as it's an indication of how the American people feel about President Trump's tariffs, the war of choice with Iran, and immigration enforcement policies. This midterm election is also expected to be influenced by the price of gasoline, just as the price of eggs was a contributing factor in 2024.
These high prices aren't a recent occurrence, either. Recently, the U.S. set a new record for the most days above $4 per gallon, and that recorded hasn't ended yet. As Americans head to the polls today, gasoline costs more than on any Election Day in the country's history. According to GasBuddy, the national average for a gallon of 87 octane gasoline is $4.12. Perhaps a more concerning trend is that the country continues to drain the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which is at its lowest level since October 1982.
Put a V8 in everything?
Some of you will certainly say in the comments, "If you want to see high gas prices, you should move to Europe." Yes, if you break down the raw cost per ounce of fuel, it is more expensive in other parts of the world, but that doesn't mean the dramatic increase in fuel costs doesn't affect the economy as much as it does elsewhere. Higher fuel prices hurt nearly everyone except oil companies, as those costs pass through to every part of life.
The most jarring aspect of hitting these new milestones is that this week's record coincides with the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. While gas is at a record high, Jeep showed off a "concept" that will likely have a Hellcat V8 as an optional engine. People will certainly buy this Jeep when it goes into production, but in some ways, it feels a bit out of place. No different than GM launching a new 8.3-liter Duramax when the price of diesel fuel is even more astronomical than gasoline — sitting at $6.28 a gallon today.
Regardless of electoral outcome, fuel prices will likely remain high. Gas tax suspensions are only temporary measures to provide some consumer relief at the pumps, but even if fuel prices return to normal, some associated prices will never come down. For example, American Airlines' CFO recently said plane ticket prices won't drop in the future. It's just the world we live in now.
