Americans’ views of politics and elected officials are unrelentingly negative, with little hope of improvement on the horizon. 65% of Americans say they always or often feel exhausted when thinking about politics. By contrast, just 10% say they always or often feel hopeful about politics.
Pew Research Center’s political typology provides a roadmap to today’s fractured political landscape. It organizes the public into nine distinct groups, based on an analysis of their attitudes and values. Even in a polarized era, the 2021 survey reveals deep divisions in both partisan coalitions.
Increasingly, Republicans and Democrats view not just the opposing party but also the people in that party in a negative light. Growing shares in each party now describe those in the other party as more closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent than other Americans. Nearly half of younger adults say they “wish there were more parties to choose from.”
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About eight-in-ten Republican voters (79%) are non-Hispanic White, down from 93% nearly two decades ago.
Given the number of third-party and independent candidates in the 2024, we examined how such candidates fared in past elections.
Across six issue areas, the share of adults who say there is at least some common ground between the parties has declined by an average of 12 points since 2023.
Amid shifts in demographics and partisan allegiances, registered voters are now evenly split between the Democratic Party and the GOP.
Unfavorable views of both Trump and Biden are more common among young adults and those who “lean” to a party.
Just 12% of Republicans and Republican leaners say dealing with climate change should be a top priority for the president and Congress.
The share of adults who say their side is losing more often than winning is up 15 percentage points since early 2020.
Seven-in-ten Americans say elected officials should avoid heated or aggressive language because it could encourage some people to take violent action.
Untethered from partisan politics and uninterested in keeping up with political news, here is how some Americans view the current state of U.S. politics.
Donald Trump has a wide lead for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination. His supporters stand out from Republicans who back Ron DeSantis or Nikki Haley in their desire for a presidential candidate who will push hard for policies that Republican voters want.
© 2024 Pew Research Center
