Poll Archives | American Democracy Minute

Voters Identifying as ‘Independent’ Reaches Record High Led by Younger Americans, Says New Gallup Poll

January 13, 2026January 13, 2026

The number of Americans identifying as independents reached a new high, at the expense of both major parties. An updated Gallup tracking poll found 45% of respondents called themselves political independents, led by younger Americans.

Ranked Choice Voting Gets High Marks in NYC Primary, with 96% Finding it Easy to Use and 82% Ranking at Least 2 Candidates

July 6, 2025July 6, 2025

We reported recently on the use of ranked choice voting in New York City’s Democratic Primary. A survey found that 96% of Big Apple voters found it easy to use and 58% agreed that “Ranking allowed me to vote for candidates who aligned with my values." Fifty-two percent felt that "Ranking allowed me to support multiple candidates."

Pew Study Finds 85% of Americans Don’t Think Elected Officials Care About What ‘People Like Them’ Think – Up 30% since 2000

June 18, 2024June 18, 2024

A Pew Research Center report released in late April finds that Americans are frustrated with their federal government, and say that elected officials don’t care about what “people like them” think.

Gallup Poll Finds Americans Think a Major Third Party is Needed

May 29, 2024May 29, 2024

A poll by Gallup finds majority support for a major third party option among almost every segment of voters, ticking up to 63% last fall. This includes increases among Republicans and independents.

New Poll Shows the Lowest Satisfaction with American Democracy in 40 Years

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024

With America’s polarization, a special-interest driven Congress, a former President with 91 criminal indictments, a compromised U.S. Supreme Court, and rogue state legislatures, a newly updated Gallup poll shows satisfaction with American democracy plunged to just 28%, a 40-year low.