# Threats to American Democracy Ahead of an Unprecedented Presidential Election  ## Metadata - Author:: [[PRRI | At the intersection of religion, values, and public life.]] - Full Title:: Threats to American Democracy Ahead of an Unprecedented Presidential Election - Category: #articles - URL: https://www.prri.org/research/threats-to-american-democracy-ahead-of-an-unprecedented-presidential-election/ ## Highlights #### Introduction #### State of the Country ##### The Right or Wrong Direction? ##### Change Since the 1950s > Fewer Americans believe that American culture and way of life has mostly changed for the better (44%) than changed for the worse (55%) since the 1950s. Republicans (73%) are more likely than independents (57%) and Democrats (34%) to believe it has mostly changed for the worse. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfynbntg4fsxeqcwq191nsws)) > Majorities of white Christians — including white evangelical Protestants (77%), white mainline/non-evangelical Protestants (60%), and white Catholics (57%) — believe American culture and way of life has mostly changed for the worse. Hispanic Catholics, Black Protestants, and non-Christian religious Americans are more divided. By contrast, religiously unaffiliated Americans are less likely to say American culture and way of life has changed for the worse (43%) than for the better (57%). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8bx4f79zj5e5zkm0b4vvqn)) > While younger Americans are not optimistic, they remain less likely than older Americans to believe that American culture and way of life have mostly changed for the worse: 49% of Generation Z and millennials, 58% of Generation X, 60% of baby boomers, and 67% of the Silent Generation. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8bwvqn289c7z56ayng5p8w)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfynbtnecfy3ga8mhp5sgz6g)) ##### American’s Best Days are Behind Us > The country is more divided about the possibility of better days in the future. A slim majority of Americans (52%) agree that “America’s best days are now behind us,” while 43% disagree. Republicans (67%) and independents (55%) are much more likely than Democrats (35%) to believe that America’s best days are behind us. A majority of Democrats (61%) disagree. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfync33y3zp2hp1w1dpg416z)) ##### Support for Authoritarianism as a Response to the Direction of the Country > Just under four in ten Americans (38%) agree with the statement, “Because things have gotten so far off track in this country, we need a leader who is willing to break some rules if that’s what it takes to set things right,” while 59% disagree. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfynd0qqkdeqvzztvgr3vf1g)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8c08qs895hxzqj8vyt682v)) ##### Support for Political Violence as a Response to the Direction of the Country > Disturbingly, support for political violence has increased over the last two years. Today, nearly a quarter of Americans (23%) agree that “because things have gotten so far off track, true American patriots may have to resort to violence in order to save our country,” up from 15% in 2021. PRRI has asked this question in eight separate surveys since March 2021. This is the first time support for political violence has peaked above 20%. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyndsr9yfeabwprrcbchmvd)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8c2zsjtq997rhf06d20wjd)) #### Among 20 political issues, Americans are most likely to rate increasing costs of housing and everyday expenses (62%) as a critical issue. About half also say crime (50%), health care (49%), human trafficking (48%), the health of democracy (47%), what children are learning in public schools (47%), and access to guns and gun safety (46%) are critical issues. Around four in ten Americans consider education (43%), immigration (40%), mental health (40%), the growing gap between rich and poor (40%), and climate change (38%) critical issues as well. In addition, about one-third of Americans say abortion (36%), jobs and unemployment (34%), terrorism (32%), infrastructure like bridges and the electrical grid (30%), racial inequality (29%), and reforming the U.S. Supreme Court (29%) are critical issues. Americans are less likely to regard artificial intelligence (19%) and LGBTQ rights (14%) as critical. > Increasing costs of housing and everyday expenses is the only area that majorities of Democrats (63%), independents (61%), and Republicans (60%) each see as a critical issue. Majorities of Democrats also rate climate change (66%), access to guns and gun safety (66%), health care (59%), the health of democracy (58%), the growing gap between the rich and poor (57%), mental health (54%), and racial inequality (51%) as critical issues. By contrast, majorities of Republicans rate what children are learning in public schools (59%), crime (57%), immigration (57%), and human trafficking (54%) as critical issues. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8c5xjhmtz8hz6p3satb0tf)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8c6d8k24zr4bpehszshdck)) > Across majorities of all racial groups, increasing costs of housing and everyday expenses is the issue most frequently rated as critical; however, there are racial differences on other top issues. Notably, while white Americans’ top critical issues closely mirror all Americans — the health of democracy (49%), what children are learning in public schools (46%), health care (45%), and crime (44%) — none reaches majority. By contrast, majorities of Hispanic and Black Americans align when rating human trafficking (65% and 59%, respectively), crime (63% and 58%, respectively), and health care (54% and 61%, respectively) as critical issues. Black Americans (62%) are more likely than Hispanic Americans (42%) to rate racial inequality as a critical issue, while Hispanic Americans (48%) are more likely than Black Americans (46%) to consider climate change a critical issue. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8c76b62a3n6qazaen825k9)) #### Litmus Test” Issues That Drive Voting Choices ##### Abortion ##### Approximately four in ten Americans (39%) say they will only vote for a candidate who shares their views on abortion. Slightly more Americans (42%) state that they will take a candidate’s position on abortion into consideration when voting. Fewer than two in ten Americans (17%) say they do not see abortion as a major issue. >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyngft5nmkykt7pd07jwrrr)) ##### Access to Guns ##### Immigration ##### When asked how a candidate’s views on immigration might affect their vote, 32% of Americans stated they would only vote for someone who shared their views. Nearly six in ten Americans (56%) consider a candidate’s position on immigration as just one of many important factors and one in ten do not see immigration as an important issue (10%). Republicans (45%) are the most likely to say that they would only vote for a candidate who shares their views on immigration. In comparison, slightly fewer than three in ten Democrats (29%) and independents (27%) say the same. ##### **LGBTQ** **Rights** ##### Nearly three in ten Americans say they would only support a candidate who shares their views on LGBTQ rights (28%). Over one-third of Americans either only consider a candidate’s views on LGBTQ rights as one of many important factors (35%), or do not view this as a major issue (36%). Democrats (40%) are significantly more likely to only vote for a candidate who shares their views on LGBTQ rights, compared with 24% of Republicans and 23% of independents. ##### Climate Change ##### Climate Change ##### Climate Change > Just under three in ten Americans (27%) say that they would only vote for a candidate who shares their views on climate change. Forty-five percent of Americans say that they consider views on climate change as one of many important factors when determining a candidate to vote for. One-quarter of Americans (25%) do not view climate change as a major issue. Democrats (42%) are more than twice as likely as Republicans (18%) to say that they would only vote for a candidate who shares their views on climate change. One-quarter of independents (25%) say the same ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyp29tyyy5xsmp8kzwmzsy1)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8c9dbrpvas32txbt22537j)) #### Views of The Biden Administration ##### **Biden’s Job Performance****As President** > Four in ten Americans (40%) strongly or somewhat approve of the job that Joe Biden is doing as president, while a majority (57%) disapprove, including 39% who strongly disapprove. Results are unsurprisingly divided by party: 7% of Republicans, 35% of independents, and 83% of Democrats approve of the job Biden is doing as president. Notably, there is a distinct lack of intensity among Democrats: 32% say they strongly approve, while 51% say they somewhat approve. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyp3q76s9jjpzvysn4zb1gc)) > Black Americans (62%) are significantly more likely than white Americans (32%), Hispanic Americans (48%), or Americans of other races or ethnicities (50%) to approve of Biden’s job performance. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyp6exxv8cv9z90d7s5av6g)) ##### On the Issues > Fewer than four in ten Americans (37%) approve of the job Biden is doing to handle the economy, while 61% disapprove. Three-quarters of Democrats (76%) approve of Biden’s handling of the economy, compared with 32% of independents and 7% of Republicans. These shares have remained steady compared to September 2022. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyp7y3qg6dabqqjhsd3sa0c)) > Slightly fewer than four in ten Americans (37%) approve of the job that Biden is doing handling the issue of abortion, while 59% disapprove. Seven in ten Democrats (71%), compared with about one-third of independents (34%) and around one in ten Republicans (12%), approve of Biden’s handling of abortion. These shares are roughly similar to September 2022. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyp835jazrtn22r1xgffn83)) > Less than one-third of Americans (31%) approve of the job that Biden is doing to handle immigration, while 65% disapprove. Americans are less likely to approve of the job Biden is doing on immigration than they were in September 2022 (37%). Around two-thirds of Democrats (65%) approve of the job Biden is doing on immigration, a decrease from September 2022 (73%). Approval among independents has decreased from 36% a year ago to 27% now. Views among Republicans have remained steady, with just 7% saying they approve of the job Biden is doing on immigration. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyp886m9q0q15vqaccg9jsy)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8cax1ppezzgsgcp58ch8cv)) #### Assessments of 2024 Candidates ##### Biden and Trump > Americans generally express unfavorable views of each of the prominent 2024 presidential candidates included in the survey. While most Americans view Biden and Trump unfavorably, they are even less likely to hold favorable views of other candidates in the 2024 race. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyp9atsckpma830c5a49xj2)) ##### Joe Biden > Fewer than four in ten Americans hold favorable views of Biden (37%) while six in ten Americans have unfavorable views of him (60%), marking his highest unfavorable ratings in the past four years. Compared ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypa1rf4d44t03ajnx1esnw)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8cbr293pgxyhwwrs2wf2ep)) ##### Could Biden Lose Support Among Those Who View Him Favorably? ##### Around six in ten Americans who hold favorable views of Biden say that there is something he could do to lose their support (59%), while 39% say there is nothing Biden could do to lose their support. A slim majority of Democrats with favorable views of Biden agree that he could do something to lose their support (52%), along with around seven in ten independents (69%). ##### Donald Trump > One-third of Americans (33%) express favorable views of Trump, while 63% express unfavorable views, including half who say they have a very unfavorable view of him (50%). These ratings are generally similar to September 2022, when 35% of Americans rated him favorably. At the comparable point of the 2020 election cycle in September 2019, 35% of Americans had favorable views of Trump. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypccv47e95j4ykpnz0ekhs)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8cd69z1thggatgrvhedr3w)) > There is a distinct education gap with respect to views on Trump, especially among white Americans: 45% of white Americans who do not have a four-year degree hold favorable views of Trump, compared with 28% of white Americans with at least a four-year degree. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypeb11dxmfdjspcz2xcdca)) ##### Could Trump Lose Support Among Those Who View Him Favorably? > A slim majority of Americans who hold favorable views of Trump say that he could do something to lose their support (53%). A slightly smaller share (45%) says there is almost nothing Trump could do to lose their support. Among Republicans who view Trump favorably, a majority (54%) say there is nothing he could do to lose their support, compared with 36% of independents. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypf7z1yjy8d3v85dk0j774)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8cg85s3g5sqgknxhtmtnnm)) ##### The Rest of the Field >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8chrfvvv920kwbm1zeev54)) #### Aftermath of the 2020 Election ##### The Big Lie > Roughly one-third of Americans (32%) agree that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump. This share has remained relatively stable since March 2021 when 29% of Americans agreed. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyphd02q3wmxbaeg1k0s1c8)) > As some of his staunchest supporters, white Christians are most likely to say that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump. Six in ten white evangelical Protestants (60%) say the election was stolen, along with 38% of white mainline/non-evangelical Protestants and 38% of white Catholics. Less than one-quarter of Hispanic Catholics (24%), religiously unaffiliated Americans (23%), non-Christian religious Americans (22%), and Black Protestants (11%) agree. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyphp0q38jfyfr3xhbhkwrc)) > Among white Americans, those without a four-year degree (44%) are significantly more likely than those who have a four-year degree (27%) to say the election was stolen from Trump. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyphwy9bnzp7pvtz5f2rzez)) ##### Did Trump Commit Crimes? ##### Did Trump Break the Law to Stay in Power? > Six in ten Americans (60%) agree with the statement that it is likely that former president Donald Trump broke the law to try to stay in power after losing the 2020 election, while 38% disagree. > About one-quarter of Republicans (27%), compared with 60% of independents and 92% of Democrats, believe Trump broke the law to try to stay in power. Americans who most trust Fox News (26%) or far-right news outlets (3%) are least likely to believe Trump broke the law to stay in power after losing the election, compared with a slim majority of Americans who do not watch TV news (52%) and eight in ten Americans (80%) who most trust mainstream news. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypjvftv7qehdmpkf9nppvc)) ##### Is There Credible Evidence of Federal Crimes? > A solid majority of Americans (58%) agree that there is credible evidence that Donald Trump committed serious federal crimes, while 37% disagree. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypkffg7qqj9s4gqsmhh653)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8cm6xh5wjcp9vam9394f61)) #### The 2024 Campaign ##### What Are Americans Looking for in a Presidential Candidate? ##### Economy Versus Culture > Americans are roughly divided about whether they prefer a presidential candidate who can best manage the economy (51%) versus a presidential candidate who can best protect and preserve American culture and the American way of life (46%). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypn9sghcsmptegtcr3crx7)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypngbzq2wkhkh7e5jfdcaq)) > 56%), millennials (63%), and Gen X (55%) say they prefer a president who can best manage the economy. Majorities of baby boomers (60%) and members of the Silent Generation (74%) prefer a president who can preserve and protect American culture. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyppwa2a8bh4vbs82egff0d)) ##### Views of Political Parties ##### The Republican Party > Nearly half of Americans (47%) say the Republican Party is trying to protect the American way of life against outside threats ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyprdp9cx408tp430b01zv0)) > A similar percentage of Americans (48%) say the party has been taken over by racists. Such views about the Republican Party have remained unchanged in the last few years. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyprj5ek46s3tnzp7b7erqf)) ##### The Democratic Party > Nearly half Americans (46%) say the Democratic Party is trying to make capitalism work for average Americans, down from 51% of Americans in 2021. This year, 49% believe the party has been taken over by socialists. In 2021, 44% of Americans believed that the party was taken over by socialists. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypsdbnqwbhp021mnq1jvjh)) > More than eight in ten Democrats (85%) believe that their party is trying to make capitalism work for everyone, while eight in ten Republicans (82%) say the Democratic Party has been taken over by socialists ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypspyy60rr3nfz8nfvzybq)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypr3zwwv3annpry5w5kvdk)) ##### Trump and Biden as Their Parties’ Nominees ##### Biden as the Democratic Nominee > Around two-thirds of Democrats and independents who lean toward the Democratic party say they would prefer someone else to be the party’s nominee (64%), while 34% say they would prefer Biden to be the nominee ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypvcgqd6ja4agdpj8ze5n2)) > Among this group, nearly 70% of open-ended responses (or 150 out of the 219 responses) mentioned Biden’s age or the desire for younger leadership ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypvyxxpph51whkcrkywf2s)) ##### Trump as the Republican Nominee > When presented with a list of Republican presidential candidates, 44% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say that they would prefer Donald Trump to be the nominee. Sixteen percent say that they prefer Ron DeSantis, 8% prefer Nikki Haley, 7% prefer Mike Pence, 7% prefer Vivek Ramaswamy, 3% prefer Chris Christie, 3% prefer Tim Scott, less than 1% prefer Asa Hutchinson, and 10% prefer someone else. Republicans (47%) are slightly more likely than Republican-leaning independents 39% to say that they prefer Trump. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypwqgjsarkkvxbmqsjqnwf)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypww059ce4mq31gcp2sh56)) > Republicans and leaners who said they would prefer someone other than Trump to be the nominee were asked to provide a brief open-ended response for why they preferred someone else. Open-ended responses are varied: 16% said they felt that Trump was too much of a divisive or polarizing figure, 10% said they worried about Trump’s electability in a general election, 10% indicated that they simply preferred another candidate and 6% said that Trump’s policies as president were not effective ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypxq3agg9f8cq2tznaeg5k)) ##### Voting in 2024 > Six in ten Americans (61%) say that they are absolutely certain to vote in the 2024 presidential election, while around one in ten say they probably will vote (11%), or the chances are 50-50 (9%). Five percent of Americans say there is a less than 50-50 chance they will vote, and 13% of Americans say they are definitely not voting. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypya3zq4nd3bnzn7jhf4m4)) > Republicans and Democrats are similarly likely to say they are certain to vote (76% and 73%, respectively), while a slim majority of independents (54%) say they are certain to vote. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypyx3rvy0bjyt6w2qkatst)) > More than seven in ten white Christians say they are certain to vote, including 78% of white evangelical Protestants, 77% of white Catholics, and 70% of white mainline/non-evangelical protestants. Six in ten Black Protestants (61%) and majorities of religiously unaffiliated Americans (56%) and non-Christian religious Americans (53%) say they are certain to vote. Hispanic Catholics (42%) are the only major religious group where fewer than half say they are certain to vote. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfypz5d591agr8gckdj22ydq)) ##### The 2024 Horse Race > Voters’ choices are largely consistent with their self-reported 2020 vote: 94% of Americans who say they voted for Trump plan to support him in 2024, and 94% of 2020 Biden voters say they will support him in 2024. Just 4% of 2020 Trump voters say they will support Biden in 2024, the same share as 2020 Biden voters who say they will support Trump in 2024 (4%). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyq01vb5g0t7cc5b3r315py)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8csc0yspn30vw15r2py92d)) > Among white voters, support for Trump increases dramatically with frequency of religious attendance. Among those who seldom or never attend services, 47% prefer Trump, compared with 57% of those who attend monthly or a few times a year, and 65% of those who attend weekly or more. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfykyjf6ypy9325jvgdfngb2)) > A majority of white voters (54%) prefer Trump over Biden, while Biden wins majorities of support among Hispanic voters (51%) and Black voters (77%). Six in ten white voters without a four-year college degree prefer Trump (62%), compared with 43% of white voters with at least a four-year college degree who prefer Trump. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfykysa6f7rhhdkgv0jf85rp)) > In the six key 2024 presidential swing states (Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin), Trump wins 49% while Biden wins 43% — a difference that is within the margin of error. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfykzfrcdv3gzeq8xh5q6csj)) ##### The Effect of Third-Party Candidates >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfym12m39pa9v6bbt29wj55s)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfym1r5g8f14047djt107spz)) > Biden’s support drops the most in the four-way race against Manchin and West among groups that are typically his base. Among Black voters, support for Biden drops from 77% in the two-way race to 61% in the four-way race that includes West and Manchin. Furthermore, Biden’s support among Democrat voters drops from 91% in the two-way vote to 84% in the four-way race that includes West and Manchin. Among Black voters, 11% support West in the four-way race that includes Manchin and 7% in the four-way race that includes Hogan. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfym285dqckv07m9taeqpyjs)) ##### Views of Third Parties > Four in ten Americans (42%) say they are very or somewhat likely to consider voting for a presidential candidate from a new political party that is an alternative to the Democratic or Republican parties. A majority of those likely to consider voting for a new political party (74%) say they would vote for a candidate from a party that is in the middle between Democrats and Republicans. Eleven percent say they would vote for a candidate from a party that is more liberal than the Democratic Party and 13% say they would vote for a candidate from a party that is more conservative than the Republican Party. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfym3qve6cpw7tcywm4gxe5a)) > A majority of Americans (56%) say they are unlikely to vote for a candidate from a new political party. Almost half of those (49%) who are unlikely to vote for a candidate from a new party say they would not do so because those candidates rarely win ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfym4a1rwx0n1q5tctvk1g3r)) #### Threats to Democracy: Christian Nationalism and QAnon ##### God Intended America to Be a New Promised Land for European Christians > One-third of Americans (33%) agree that “God intended America to be a new promised land where European Christians could create a society that could be an example to the rest of the world,” compared with 61% who disagree. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfym53pdd7akmsqx26ssf0tt)) > A majority of white evangelical Protestants (54%) agree with this statement, compared with 41% of white mainline/non-evangelical Protestants, 39% of Black Protestants, 38% of white Catholics, and 35% of Hispanic Catholics. Non-Christians (17%) and religiously unaffiliated Americans are the least likely to agree (16%). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfym5d710y36x2x3bxnmgg5r)) ##### The Founders of the U.S. Intended it to be a Christian Nation > Americans are somewhat divided over whether the founders of the United States intended it to be a Christian nation with western European values (52% agree vs. 42% disagree). Most Republicans (75%) agree with this statement, compared with 51% of independents and 35% of Democrats. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfym6fwm04hh9nfhkj0c09at)) ##### QAnon Beliefs > Today, around one-quarter of Americans agree a storm is coming that will sweep away elites in power (27% in 2023 vs. 20% in 2021); that violence may be necessary to save the country (23% in 2023 vs. 15% in 2021); and that the government, media, and financial worlds are controlled by Satan-worshipping pedophiles (25% in 2023 vs. 15% in 2021). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfym7heb7xsrsw7nt94me74k)) > Since March 2021, the share of QAnon believers has increased significantly, from 14% to 23% today. The percentage of Americans who completely reject QAnon beliefs has significantly decreased from 40% to 29% in 2023. Additionally, the share of those who generally doubt — but do not fully reject — QAnon beliefs has increased slightly from 46% to 49% in 2023. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfym8rf2r0c5qbca7435bh6g)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfym934b2naagznhsx080q53)) #### State of Democracy in America ##### Future of American Democracy > Three-quarters of Americans (75%) agree that the future of American democracy is at risk in the 2024 presidential election. Democrats (84%) are the most likely to agree that the future of American democracy is at risk, but 77% of Republicans and 73% of independents also agree. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyma49ms14zkebqcdrjhzpj)) > A majority of people across religious and racial lines also agree that the future of American democracy is at stake in 2024. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymaajc0gazzbjsjhz4ve0v)) ##### Reelection of Trump or Biden Poses a Threat to Democracy > Nearly six in ten Americans (57%) see the reelection of Trump as a threat to American democracy and way of life, while 41% disagree. Notably, a slim majority of Americans (53%) also agree the reelection of Biden to the White House poses a threat to American democracy, compared with 43% who disagree. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymaraecqyhpcyj9x5d5amz)) > Nine in ten Democrats (91%) and nearly six in ten independents (57%), but just 22% of Republicans, see the reelection of Trump as a threat to American democracy ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymbv0hryfra4h1vanf0azs)) > Nine in ten Democrats (91%) and nearly six in ten independents (57%), but just 22% of Republicans, see the reelection of Trump as a threat to American democracy. By contrast, majorities of Republicans (86%) and independents (56%) agree that the reelection of Biden poses a threat to American democracy, compared with just 17% of Democrats. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymbw2k8cr7791bjayyp1jh)) > Approximately three-quarters of Black Protestants (76%) and 69% of religiously unaffiliated Americans (69%) see Trump as a threat to American democracy, and white mainline/non-evangelical Protestants (49% agree vs. 50% disagree) and white Catholics (48% agree vs. 52% disagree) are divided on this question ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymcdceq48y4nn78t23tet9)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymdzm8zrbzygtztjh8mcaw)) ##### Democracy is Broken If Biden or Trump Win 2024 Election > Forty-five percent of Americans agree that if Trump wins the election, this means that democracy is broken and we may need a new form of government, compared with 38% who agree with this sentiment if Biden wins the 2024 election. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymegyxyvtbrxygnzcwfytk)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymga64v2y76sbn79zbw541)) #### The State of the Economy in America ##### Concerns About the Economy > The survey finds several indicators of increased economic stress. More than seven in ten Americans (72%) say they are worried about not having enough money to retire, including 39% who are very worried. More than six in ten Americans say they are very or somewhat worried about being unable to afford health care (66%), housing (64%), or everyday expenses such as groceries or gas (63%), or get a job that pays a living wage (61%). A majority of Americans (82%) report being very or somewhat worried about at least one of these five items, while 46% report being very or somewhat worried about all five items ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymh5b6yqvhssmkfry3by75)) > There are no significant partisan differences: over four in ten Republicans (43%), Democrats (44%), and independents (47%) are very or somewhat concerned about all five economic items. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymhhy2wrgynhc3f6pk4zt1)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymj144ppkybksqrt0h0z3m)) ##### **Concerns about** **Inflation** ##### Confidence in College as a Smart Investment in the Future > All partisans are now far less likely to say college is a smart investment: Republicans are down from 52% in 2016 to 39% in 2023, independents are down from 49% to 37%, and Democrats are down from 66% to 55%. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymky8ck7hke8hfcsfrwsx1)) > A majority of AAPI (60%) and half of Hispanic Americans (50%) say a college education is a good investment in the future, compared with 43% of Black Americans and 38% of white Americans. However, white Americans with a four-year college degree or higher are nearly twice as likely as white Americans without a four-year college degree to say that college is a smart investment (52% vs. 29%). However, among both groups, the belief in a college education as a smart investment has decreased significantly since 2016 (63% among those with a four-year college degree vs. 44% among those without a four-year college degree). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymmmmvv82a57j40rw6mc20)) > Confidence that a college education is a smart investment in the future varies little across generations: 44% of Gen Z, 38% of millennials, 43% of Gen X, 43% of baby boomers, and 48% of the Silent Generation believe that college is a good investment. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymn5cytyk2pac23jeqvqw1)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymne5c70tj1npazxga7sb3)) #### The State of Public Education in America ##### Teaching Children History > Nearly all Americans (94%) agree that “we should teach our children both the good and bad aspects of our history so that they can learn from the past,” compared with just 4% who agree that “we should not teach children history that could make them feel uncomfortable or guilty about what their ancestors did in the past.” ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyq6c0bt9p87f15wb4h5twb)) ##### View of Teachers and Librarians > Three-quarters of Americans (75%) agree that public school teachers and librarians are professionals whom we should trust to provide our kids with appropriate curriculum and books that teach the good and bad of American history, compared with 22% who believe that public school teachers and librarians should not be allowed to develop curriculum and teach books that wrongly portray America as a racist country. The number of Americans who agree that teachers and librarians should be trusted to teach history appropriately has increased from 66% in 2022 to 75% in 2023. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyq6vmrr8ykdd80v2ja88xg)) #### What is Appropriate to Teach in Public School ##### Banning Books that Include Depictions of Slavery > Fewer than one in ten Americans favor the banning of books that include depictions of slavery from being taught in public schools (7%), compared with 88% who oppose such bans. About the same number of Republicans (7%), independents (7%), and Democrats (9%) favor banning these books. There are few attitudinal differences across various demographics, including religious affiliation, generations, race, education, gender, region, or whether Americans live in rural, suburban, and urban areas. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymq2vheme84x5emdd3kqgx)) ##### Banning AP African American History > Similarly, about one in ten Americans (11%) favor banning public high school courses like AP African American History because the topics of slavery and segregation are likely to make white students feel guilty or uncomfortable, compared with 84% who oppose such bans. Republicans (17%) are more likely than independents (10%) and Democrats (8%) to favor banning these courses. There are few attitudinal differences across various demographics, including religious affiliation, generations, race, education, gender, region, or whether Americans live in rural, suburban, and urban areas. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymq9qntaxm1kxh633p3vkw)) ##### Banning Social and Emotional Learning Programs > Approximately three in ten Americans (29%) favor banning social and emotional learning programs from public schools because they conflict with the moral teachings that kids should be getting from home, compared with 66% of Americans who oppose such bans. Nearly half of Republicans (48%), but only 30% of independents and 10% of Democrats, favor such bans ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymqyqmez2jr1pk697sa243)) ##### Banning Discussions of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity > Approximately four in ten Americans (43%) favor banning the discussion of sexual orientation and/or gender identity in public schools, compared with a majority (53%) who oppose such bans. There are massive partisan divides on this question. Nearly seven in ten Republicans (69%), compared with only 44% of independents and 19% of Democrats, favor banning discussion of sexual orientation and gender in public schools. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymrxsza9j3stj107p0h7b9)) ##### Elective Christian Bible Courses > A majority of Americans (53%) favor offering elective courses on the Bible that are taught from Christian perspective in public schools, compared with 43% who oppose offering these courses. Republicans (73%) are notably more likely than independents (52%) and Democrats (38%) to favor offering elective Bible courses in public schools. Republicans and Republican-leaning independents who attend religious services weekly or more (50%) are more than twice as likely as those who attend religious services at least a few times a year (23%) or seldom/never attend (18%) to strongly favor offering elective courses on the Bible in public schools. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyq8vk7qavhaqzty64y3ppp)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8d479k4feqsrw79f3warhk)) #### Specific Issues ##### Abortion > Six in ten Americans (60%) say abortion should be legal in most or all cases, compared with less than four in ten Americans (37%) who say it should be illegal in most or all cases. Notably, Americans are nearly three times as likely to say abortion should be legal in all cases as they are to say it should be illegal in all cases (26% vs. 9%). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfvzdfqcftj586qdkarwe66h)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8d5ak2epdpq4pk13156nsr)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8d5qhect366dbbm1qw7mh3)) #### Systemic Racism ##### The Impact of the Legacy of Slavery and Discrimination > A majority (53%) of Americans agree that generations of slavery and discrimination against Black people and Native Americans have given white people unfair economic advantages, compared with 41% who disagree. Majorities of Republicans (65%) and independents (40%) disagree with this statement, compared with only 22% of Democrats. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfvzfsrcy0p9bz5yp00m0jqc)) ##### The Killing of Black Americans by Police >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8d6emskv4h9phxb64s4azc)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01he8d77mrf21dbymtc0p6szt3)) #### Gender and LGBTQ Issues ##### Society is Too Soft and Feminine > Americans are divided over whether society as a whole has become too soft and feminine (48% agree vs. 48% disagree). Since PRRI first asked this question in 2010, the partisan divide has doubled, from 23% to 48%. Over seven in ten Republicans (72%) say society has become too soft and feminine, compared with 48% of independents and 24% of Democrats. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymtv7s5mbvacaytr1dwq0k)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymtzzz798qjrhsgt1vnxxa)) ##### Bathroom Accommodations > A majority of Americans today favor laws that require transgender individuals to use bathrooms that correspond to their sex at birth rather than their current gender identity (54% favor, 40% oppose). Despite increasing support for LGBTQ rights generally, Americans are moving in the opposite direction regarding this specific question. Americans are nearly 20% more likely to favor such policies today than they were in 2016, when the question was first asked (35% favor, 53% oppose). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymvmfkyh5xr0sw3tm811zp)) ##### Preventing Medical Care for Gender Transition Among Children > Americans are divided over whether they favor (49%) or oppose (47%) laws that would prevent parents from allowing their child to receive medical care for a gender transition. Since PRRI first asked the question in September 2022, Americans (44%) have grown more supportive of laws that prevent gender transition medical care for minors ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymwe8zw3qsta7qp456ek51)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymwymnf2s0t8sctqfk9r4k)) ##### People Advocating for Transgender Rights Have Gone Too Far in Recent Years > slim majority of Americans (54%) agree that people advocating for the rights of transgender people have gone too far in recent years, compared with 43% who disagree. Most Republicans (85%) and independents (56%) agree with this statement, compared with 29% of Democrats. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymxz8k5m8bbzpvdcssgty3)) ##### Restricting the Rights of Transgender People Is Just Another Form of Discrimination > At the same time, a majority of Americans (58%) agree that restricting the rights of transgender people is just another form of discrimination, compared with 37% who disagree. Most Democrats (79%) and independents (59%) agree with this statement, compared with 43% of Republicans. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymym0h4kjdtn1yece1rkp5)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymyr3nq5dqxtjsp7wqs9jd)) #### Immigration ##### Perceptions of Immigrants as a Threat ##### Growing Number of Newcomers as a Threat > A majority of Americans (52%) say the growing number of newcomers from other countries strengthens American society, compared with 44% who say it threatens traditional American customs and values. The perception of immigrants as a threat has fluctuated over the last decade but today stands at a similar level to when the question was first asked in 2011 (42%). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfymzdnszkr5pbgd81xdrf6g)) > White Christian subgroups are significantly more likely than members of other groups to perceive newcomers as a threat. Seven in ten white evangelical Protestants (70%) and a slim majority of white mainline/non-evangelical Protestants (56%) and white Catholics (55%) are more likely to see newcomers as a threat. Less than half of Hispanic Catholics (42%), Black Protestants (39%), religiously unaffiliated Americans (32%), and non-Christian religious Americans (30%) perceive newcomers as a threat. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyn02fvj8z17tp9tepd9wqr)) ##### White Christian subgroups are significantly more likely than members of other groups to perceive newcomers as a threat. Seven in ten white evangelical Protestants (70%) and a slim majority of white mainline/non-evangelical Protestants (56%) and white Catholics (55%) are more likely to see newcomers as a threat. Less than half of Hispanic Catholics (42%), Black Protestants (39%), religiously unaffiliated Americans (32%), and non-Christian religious Americans (30%) perceive newcomers as a threat. **“Great Replacement” Theory** > Nearly four in ten Americans (38%) agree with the statement “Immigrants are invading our country and replacing our cultural and ethnic background,” compared with 57% who disagree. Agreement with this statement has remained unchanged from 36% in 2019, when PRRI first asked this question. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyn0fmpcy9xkztt17nmjgkg)) > White Christian subgroups are notably more likely than other religious groups to share this perception of immigrants as an invading force: 61% of white evangelical Protestants, 51% of white Catholics, and 46% of white mainline/non-evangelical Protestants. By contrast, only 30% of Black Protestants, 30% of Hispanic Catholics, 28% of religiously unaffiliated Americans, and 26% of non-Christian religious Americans share this sentiment. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyn1b92tc9ftbazrqmn6yjm)) ##### Immigration Policies ##### Pathway to Citizenship > Nearly six in ten Americans (60%) say that immigrants living in the United States illegally should be given a way to become citizens, provided they meet certain requirements ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyn1vyyeesgb29xtgyajb0j)) > Democrats (80%) have grown more supportive of a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, with support increasing from 71% in 2013 when the question was first asked. By contrast, Republicans (45%) have become less supportive than they were in 2013 (53%). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyn2g11n86y13w1p1s1eecz)) ##### Building a Wall on America’s Southern Border > Americans are divided over favoring (47%) or opposing (50%) building a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. Support for this policy has grown since 2016 when the question was first asked (41%). More than eight in ten Republicans (82%) support Trump’s border wall idea, while a similar number of Democrats oppose it (81%). Independents roughly mirror Americans in general (46% favor, 50% oppose). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyn327qqyx68bj0am0td3mn)) ##### Preventing Refugees from Entering the U.S. > A majority of Americans oppose passing a law to prevent refugees from entering the United States (59%), compared with 37% who favor it. Opposition and support for this policy has remained stable since 2017 (59% vs. 36%). There are stark partisan divisions. Republicans (63%) are substantially more likely than independents (37%) and Democrats (17%) to favor the passage of a law that would prevent refugees from entering the United States. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyn3g0wjybg7f471yp9yv76)) ##### Placing Stricter Limits on Number of Legal Immigrants > Placing Stricter Limits on Number of Legal Immigrants ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyqg5nm702t3h2yf0cqgfdt)) > Americans are divided on whether they favor (50%) or oppose (46%) passing a law that places stricter limits on the number of legal immigrants coming to the U.S. Attitudes over this question have not changed since it was first asked in 2018 (51% vs. 47%). Republicans (70%) are notably more likely than independents (50%) and Democrats (34%) to favor passing a law that places stricter limits on the number of legal immigrants coming to the U.S. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyqgh5jjyydfwr8a2jr3r1f)) ##### Passing A Law That Prevents Asylum Seekers from Coming to The U.S. > Americans are also divided about passing a law that prevents asylum seekers from coming to the U.S. if they haven’t first sought protection in some other country (47% favor, 48% oppose). Two-thirds of Republicans (67%), half of independents (49%), and 30% of Democrats favor this policy. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyn49rkz9q49br995thq9qj)) > Majorities of white evangelical Protestants (60%), white Catholics (56%), and white mainline/non-evangelical Protestants (55%) favor this policy. Hispanic Catholics (53% vs. 47%) and Black Protestants (46% vs. 47%) are divided on this policy. Non-Christian religious Americans (42%) and unaffiliated Americans (37%) are the least likely to favor passing a law that prevents asylum seekers from coming to the U.S. if they haven’t first sought protection in some other country. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyn4cy03eat5vq0nq3v98tj)) ##### Installing Physical Deterrents to Prevent Immigrants from Entering U.S. #### A slim majority (52%) of Americans oppose installing deterrents such as walls, floating barriers in rivers, and razor wire to prevent immigrants from entering the country illegally, even if they endanger or kill some people, compared with 44% who support this tactic. Nearly eight in ten Republicans (77%), compared with 44% of independents and just 15% of Democrats, favor this policy. >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyn6ry625cs1kbpk4bvp25k)) #### Foreign Policy > A majority of Americans (64%) consider Russia an enemy of the U.S. and an additional 24% consider Russia unfriendly but not an enemy. By contrast, 6% consider Russia friendly but not an ally. Only 2% of Americans consider Russia to be an ally of the U.S. The number of Americans who consider Russia an ally of the U.S. has decreased in the past six years (8% in 2017, compared with 2% in 2023). The number of Americans who consider Russia an enemy of the U.S. has increased by 40%, from 24% in 2017 to 64% in 2023. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyn7dazq871fb3xrc9c5eas)) > Three percent of Americans consider China to be an ally of the U.S., 13% consider China friendly but not an ally, 34% consider China unfriendly but not an enemy, and 47% consider China an enemy of the U.S. The number of Americans who consider China an enemy of the U.S. has increased significantly, from 33% 2020 to 47% in 2023. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyn8vrntmxynfr6rm8f2vmq)) >  ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hfyn94x857wa0c5c6sngszcj))