As the federal government acts to head off a recession, 80% of likely American voters tell Rasmussen Reports that the Economy is of top importance to them as an electoral issue. The only other issue so important to such a wide swath of the electorate is Government Ethics and Corruption, Very Important to 76%.

Each month the Rasmussen Reports tracking poll on issues asks the nation's likely voters to rank the importance of ten electoral issues, and also to tell us which of the two major parties they trust more on these issues. The issues surveyed are the Economy, National Security and the War on Terror, the War in Iraq, Immigration, Government Ethics and Corruption, Taxes, Health Care, Social Security, Education, and Abortion.

On the Economy, a plurality of 45% trust Democrats more than Republicans. Although this is a relatively modest advantage—39% trust Republicans more—it could have an impact on the general election given the growing concerns about the economy (the Rasmussen Consumer Index has shown consumer confidence to be near the lowest levels in five years).

The finding is echoed by state surveys and a separate national survey naming the Economy as the top voting issue. In Alabama, for instance, 38% of likely GOP voters name the Economy as issue number one. Resurgent Republican candidate John McCain has an advantage with those voters even though one of his chief appeals has been his national security resume. His chief rival, Mitt Romney, has been touting his business experience as proof he can reinvigorate the economy.

On other issues, Republicans now have a 9% edge of 49% to 40% on National Security and the War on Terror, (Very Important to 66%); a 3% edge on the War in Iraq, (Very Important to 58%); a 4% edge on Immigration, (Very Important to 50%); and a 2% edge on Taxes. This is the first time since tracking began in the fall of 2006 that the Republicans have had an advantage on four separate issues.

Every issue is considered at least Somewhat Important by a majority of respondents; Abortion, for example, is Somewhat or Very Important to 60%, but is Very Important to only 39%. The issue of Taxes is at least Somewhat Important to 84%. But it's Very Important to only 54%.

The Democrats currently enjoy a much larger advantage on their own strongest issues, Health Care (54% to 32%), which is Very Important to 61%; and Education (51% to 34%), Very Important to 62%. But a month ago the GOP could not claim even a thin margin on a single issue, managing only a tie on National Security. Then, the Democrats led by double digits on six issues. Now, they lead by double digits only on Health Care and Education.

The Democrats have a six-point lead on the Corruption issue—where, as usual, a big slice of voters (30%) are Not Sure which party they can trust more. The Democrats are also favored by eight percentage points on Social Security, (Very Important to 64%); and by eight points on Abortion.

Historical data for Trust on Issues I and Issues II and Importance of Issues I and Issues II are available for Premium Members only.