Republicans’ and Democrats’ ideology most extreme in decades: Gallup

A new survey found that ideologies among Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. are at the most extreme level in decades.

The poll, conducted by Gallup and published Thursday, found that political party identifications held steady in 2024, but the data shows that over time voters became more partisan and less moderate.

According to the survey, 37 percent of respondents described themselves as very conservative or conservative, while 34 percent said they were moderate. Just 25 percent of people said they were very liberal or liberal.

Since 1992, the percentage of Americans who identify as moderate has dropped from 43 percent to 34 percent in 2024, marking a shift from centrist ideologies. Conservatism, however, has been fairly steady over the three decades and has an average percentage of 38, the pollster notes.

Meanwhile, the percentage of Americans who identify as liberal increased from 17 percent in 1992 to 25 percent in 2016. That number has remained at nearly the same level in the years since.

Gallup added that Republicans have always been likely to also identify as conservative. In 2024, however, 77 percent described themselves that way — marking a new 2 percent high and a 4-point increase since 2023. Just under a quarter of the respondents described themselves as very conservative, a new high as well.

Out of respondents who identify as Democrats, over half also label themselves as liberal and 19 percent as very liberal, the highest reading for the group. Democrats’ liberal identification has more than doubled over the last three decades, the survey found.

Most independents remained consistent in the latest poll, identifying as moderate.

While political polarization may seem at an all-time high, Gallup’s survey results found that there has been little change in the overall landscape. Over the past few years, the largest shifts have been inter-party — or voters within the Democratic Party or GOP becoming more polarized.

“As partisans have become increasingly polarized ideologically, so too have the candidates elected to public office representing those parties,” Gallup researchers wrote. “That leaves less room for across-the-aisle negotiation on key issues between the two parties in federal and state government.”

The survey was conducted throughout 2024 among a sample of 14,162 adults in the U.S. The margin of error was 1 percentage point at the 95 percent confidence level.

Topics

Democrats concerned after Mike Johnson fires top Republican from House committee reportedly at Trump’s request – live

House speaker removed intelligence committee chair Mike Turner, whose stances have run afoul with Trump. Here’s what Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, wrote on X about his decision to name th e ...
The Guardian - 19m
These 2 Democrats voted for House Republicans' bill to bar transgender athletes from girls sports

Reps. Vicente Gonzalez and Henry Cuellar, both of Texas, were the only Democrats to side with Republicans on Tuesday to pass legislation meant to bar transgender athletes from competing in girls ...
The Hill - 1d
Live updates: Democrats turn up heat on Hegseth as Republican alleges hypocrisy

Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, the first of President-elect Trump's Cabinet candidates to face confirmation. Democrats tried ...
The Hill - 1d
Republicans urge Trump nominees: Don't take the bait from Democrats

Senate Republicans are urging President-elect Trump’s Cabinet nominees to resist taking the bait from Democrats when their high-stakes confirmation hearings kick off next week, marking a ...
The Hill - 4d
As wildfires devastate LA, Republicans point fingers at Democratic California leaders

Trump and Maga allies are using the fires to attack leaders like Newsom – possibly foretelling power struggles ahead. If ever a situation cried out for elevating national unity over political ...
The Guardian - 6d
Most in US expect Biden presidency will be viewed negatively: Gallup

Most Americans expect that President Biden’s four-year tenure will be viewed more negatively than positively, according to a new survey. The poll, released Tuesday by Gallup, found that 54 percent ...
The Hill - Jan. 7
Carville: Democrats have to focus on issues ‘Republicans can’t beef on’

Democratic strategist James Carville said in a new interview that Democrats need to focus on issues that Republicans “can’t beef on.” Carville joined MSNBC’s Jen Psaki on Sunday to discuss what the ...
The Hill - Jan. 6
Americans optimistic about Trump’s ability to control immigration: Gallup

Americans are optimistic that President-elect Trump will be able to control immigration, a new survey found. The poll, conducted by Gallup, found that 68 percent of U.S. adults predict Trump will ...
The Hill - Jan. 2
Republican-run states see opportunity to push extreme policies under Trump

Emboldened red states could advocate for rightwing reforms from steep tax cuts to slashes to education. Republican state lawmakers and conservative leaders around the United States see Donald ...
The Guardian - Jan. 1