Early results from the NBC News Exit Poll indicate that Democrats’ strategic decision to campaign on the issue of health care resonated with voters. When asked which of four issues was the most important facing the country, a 41 percent plurality said health care. The economy — which had been the top issue going back at least a decade — was cited by about one in five voters (21 percent), as was immigration (23 percent). A smaller share (11 percent) said gun policy was the most important issue.

At the center of the health care debate this fall was the Affordable Care Act’s protections for people with pre-existing conditions. When asked which party would better protect health care for people with pre-existing conditions, voters favored the Democrats by a wide margin — 58 percent to 34 percent.