Democrats hold a 17-point edge against Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections, according to a new poll.

The generic ballot survey, conducted by USC Dornsife and The Los Angeles Times, showed an apparent surge in energy among Democratic voters amid several contentious news cycles.

According to the survey, 57 per cent of likely voters said they plan to support Democrats in the upcoming elections, compared to 40 per cent of respondents who said they will vote for Republicans.

With just eight days until the historic elections, Democrats appear to hold a significant lead over the Republican party, which currently maintains a majority of power in both the House and US Senate.

The poll of just under 4,000 people was conducted from 21 October to 27 October. Just last week, a separate Los Angeles Times poll showed Democrats with a 13-point edge over Republicans.

It has been a chaotic two weeks for national news, however, including a string of explosive devices stirring international headlines after being sent to former first families, prominent Democrats and a major news network, as well as a mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue that left 11 victims killed.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has caused controversy by his response to the developments, refusing to call the targeted recipients of the bombs, including the Obamas and the Clintons.

He also suggested the killings of numerous Jewish worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue on Saturday may not have occurred had there been an armed security guard present.

US midterm elections: the voters Show all 10 1 /10 US midterm elections: the voters US midterm elections: the voters Ross Kershey of Exton, Pennsylvania objects to President Trump's recent threat to unilaterally suspend the constitutional protection of birthright citizenship as a way to control undocumented immigrants AP US midterm elections: the voters Thomas Jakel of Eveleth Minnesota is a former miner. The economy is the most important thing to voters in his town AFP/Getty US midterm elections: the voters Jerry Mcneff of Exton, Pennsylvania intends to split his ballot between the parties for Pennsylvania's House, Senate and governor elections AP US midterm elections: the voters Jean Hoffman of Exton, Pennsylvania has concerns about the cost of her daughters' college education. She thinks that voting Republican might help extend the economy's rise AP US midterm elections: the voters Supporters attend a rally of President Trump in Rochester, Minnesota AFP/Getty US midterm elections: the voters Supporters attend a rally of President Trump in Rochester, Minnesota Reuters US midterm elections: the voters Supporter Jenny Haley and son wait in line to see a Trump Rally in Rochester, Minnesota AFP/Getty US midterm elections: the voters Dick Calef of Exton, Pennsylvania is a life-long Republican. He credits the economic gains in suburban Philadelphia to longer-term factors beyond Trump's policies, such as the growth of internet and health care companies. He's not yet sure how he will vote AP US midterm elections: the voters Markus Fasel of Mendota Heights, Minnesota attends a campaign event for Democrat Angie Craig, his favoured congressional candidate AFP/Getty US midterm elections: the voters Supporters attend a rally of President Trump in Rochester, Minnesota Reuters

“If there were an armed guard inside the temple, they would have been able to stop them,” the president suggested. “Maybe there would have been nobody killed except for him, frankly.”

Mr Trump has repeatedly suggested he is on the ballot come November, and embarked on a nationwide campaign tour supporting conservative Republicans in apparent battleground state

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FiveThiryEight showed Democrats leading Republicans on the generic ballot by over eight per cent, with more than 50 per cent of respondents in an average of polls saying they will support Democratic candidates, compared to 42 per cent who plan to vote for Republicans.