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Low Awareness, High Stakes: Views on the Recent Supreme Court Ruling on the Voting Rights Act

Posted on by Navigator Research Team

Americans Are Divided Over Voter Suppression And Voter Fraud 

Since 2022, Americans have been slightly more concerned about voter suppression than about voter fraud. However, roughly four-in-10 continue to be concerned that people will cast votes illegally, and a little over one-in-10 (13%) are not concerned about either.

Bar graph from Navigator Research titled: Americans Are Divided in Their Concern Between Voter Fraud and Suppression, With Stark Partisan Divides

Americans Believe Narrowing Protections of the Voting Rights Act Was the Wrong Decision But Many Still Don’t Know

Before any education or messaging, slightly over a third (27% right decision — 35% wrong decision) of Americans believe the recent Supreme Court decision to narrow the protections of the Voting Rights Act, Louisiana v. Callais, was wrong, including 30% of independents and 45% of Black Americans. However, over half (51%) of independents and 38% of Americans overall still don’t know enough to say.

Bar chart from Navigator Research titled: Most Americans Don't Know Enough to Say on the SCOTUS VRA Ruling; Those Who Do Say It Was Wrong More Than Right

After presenting information on both sides of the issue, Americans further consolidate their opinions along partisan lines (34% right decision — 39% wrong decision), while 27% still don’t know enough to say. 

Bar graph from Navigator Research titled: An Informed Debate Consolidates GOP in Favor of VRA

Effective Messaging Focuses On Partisan Rigging Of Maps In Order To Stay In Power

After various arguments on the impact of the ruling, nearly half (46%) believe this was the wrong decision, including 40% of independents and 58% of Black Americans. While we see effective messaging can move the needle on the issue (35% wrong decision to 39% wrong decision after hearing informed arguments from both sides and 46% wrong decision after messaging), nearly a quarter (23%) still feel that they don’t know enough to say.

Bar graph from Navigator Research titled: Messaging Moves Nearly Half to Say Callais Was the Wrong Decision from SCOTUS

Majorities of Americans are concerned about a range of arguments on how the Callais decision has gutted protections for voting rights.

  • Americans overall (60%) are most concerned about how this ruling makes it easier for politicians to rig maps in order to choose their voters to stay in power to benefit their own political party. 
  • Black Americans are also deeply concerned about how this ruling allows politicians to choose their voters (76%), but also that this ruling is a betrayal of democratic principles and has a direct impact on Black and Hispanic representation in Congress (77%) and how the Supreme Court is trying to gut the rights fought for by generations of brave Americans (76%).
Graph from Navigator Research titled: POC Gravitate to Messaging Focused on the Impact on Their Communities; Independents to Freedom, Fairness, Partisanship

More Trust Local Officials and Civil Rights Leaders To Look Out For Voters’ Interests

State and local officials (30%) and civil rights leaders (30%) are among the most trusted across partisan lines to look out for voters’ interests. Black Americans continue to trust Democrats in Congress (49%) and civil rights leaders (41%) most.

Graph from Navigator Research titled: State and Local Elected Officials, Civil Rights Leaders Most Trusted on Voting Rights

Americans Know Who Will Benefit And Who Will Be Harmed 

Before any messaging, many intuitively understand who will be harmed by this decision — low-income (39%), Black (37%), and Hispanic (22%) Americans — and also conversely who will most benefit — Republicans in Congress (34%), wealthy (34%), and white (32%) Americans.

Chart from Navigator Research titled: Americans Say Low-Income Americans and Black Americans Will Be Most Harmed By Callais

Democrats Are More Trusted To Protect Voting Rights, Though Many Still Do Not Trust Either Party 

Democrats are more trusted by Americans to protect voting rights by just a five-point margin, while nearly one-in-five (18%) are not sure who to trust before any messaging is shown.

Bar chart from Navigator Research titled: Democrats Are More Trusted on Protecting Voting Rights, Though Only Narrowly

While The War in Iran Continues To Dominate The News, Most Americans Have Heard At Least Some on Voting Rights And Redistricting 

Americans are generally aware of redistricting flights happening across the country, but awareness pales in comparison to dominant issues like the ongoing war in Iran (81%).

  • 59% have heard a lot or some about states making changes to their congressional maps. 
  • 52% have heard a lot or some about the recent Callais ruling, which will change how maps can be drawn. 
  • 45% have heard a lot or some about the recent Virginia Supreme Court ruling against the maps that were approved by Virginia voters.
  • 38% have heard a lot or some about the recent Callais ruling without additional context.
Bar graph from Navigator Research titled: The Iran War Dominates the News; on Maps and VRA, Active News Consumers Hearing Much More Than Passive

Additionally, only about a third or less of passive news consumers have heard a lot or some about any redistricting or voting rights news, and local TV and online news consumers are much more likely to have heard anything about redistricting compared to social media users. Americans’ opinions on voting rights and redistricting are movable if presented with an effective argument, but this issue is only just beginning to break through. Communication—far and wide—and education is needed in order to further move public opinion following Louisiana v. Callais.

Slide from Navigator Research titled: Roughly Half of Americans Are Persuadable on the Court’s VRA Decision, With Many Who Just Don’t Know Enough to Say

SPECIAL REPORT: Asian Americans on the Economy and President Trump

Posted on by Navigator Research Team

AANHPI Adults Are Deeply Sour on the Economy 

Poll after poll has shown that Americans are feeling first-hand the devastating impacts of President Trump’s policies, especially on the economy. Many focus group participants have shared that the choice they face is between food, healthcare, or rent. AANHPI adults are no different when it comes to feeling this burden. Nearly eight-in-10 rate the state of the American economy as “poor” or “not so good,” and more than three-in-four feel that the country is currently on the wrong track.

  • In comparison, from the most recent Navigator survey, 69% of Americans overall rate the economy as “poor” or “not so good,” and 63% feel that the country is on the wrong track. 

Asian Americans also own 11% of small businesses and 19% of restaurants in the U.S., many of those owners are now feeling the pain of President Trump’s policies driving up costs.

AANHPI Adults Want To See Different Priorities From President Trump and Republicans in Congress

Asian Americans want their elected leaders to focus on the issues that matter most to them — costs and the economy. Yet, they clearly see the President and Republicans in Congress continue to prioritize the wrong things: brutal and unpopular immigration enforcement and a costly and unnecessary war in Iran.

  • By 44-point and 35-point margins respectively, AANHPI adults feel that President Trump and Republicans in Congress are not focused enough on the cost of living and healthcare. 
  • By  44-point and 38-point margins respectively, AANHPI adults feel that President Trump and Republicans in Congress are focused too much on immigration and foreign conflicts. 
Chart from Navigator Research titled: AAPI Americans Say Trump is Most Focused on Immigration, Foreign Conflicts Over Inflation and Jobs:the Economy

About Three Quarters of AANHPI Adults Disapprove of President Trump Across Issues 

AANHPI adults express broad disapproval of President Trump across key issues including overall job performance, the economy, foreign policy, and gas prices. About three-in-four disapprove of President Trump’s handling of each issue, with nearly eight-in-10 disapproving of his handling of gas prices specifically.

  • By contrast, from the most recent Navigator survey, 58% of Americans overall disapprove of President Trump’s job performance, 61% disapprove of his handling of the economy, 58% disapprove of his handling of foreign policy, and 63% disapprove of his handling of gas prices. 
Chart from Navigator Research titled: AANHPI Broadly Disapprove of President Trump's Handling of Important Issues

Democrats Hold A Trust Advantage, But Many Do Not Trust Either Party 

When it comes to who AANHPI adults trust to handle a range of issues, Democrats hold the advantage. However, more notable is that from a quarter to over a third of Asian Americans do not trust either party to handle the issues that are most important to them.

  • 38% of Asian Americans do not trust either party to handle issues on taxes. 
  • 36% of Asian Americans do not trust either party to handle the war in Iran. 
  • 33% of Asian Americans do not trust either party to handle the cost of living.
Chart from Navigator Research titled: Democrats Hold Trust Advantage Among AANHPI on Tested Issues, But Many Do Not Trust Either Party

Asian Americans Strongly Oppose The War In Iran 

AANHPI adults are decidedly against the war in Iran at levels higher than Americans overall; nearly seven-in-10 oppose the war while less than a quarter support it (net 43% support-oppose). In comparison, from the most recent Navigator survey, 49% of Americans overall oppose the war in Iran, with 42% supporting (net 7%). 

Chart from Navigator Research titled: AANHPI Oppose the War in Iran by 43 Points

Who Americans Think is Influencing Politics – and Trump – Too Much

Posted on by Navigator Research Team

Billionaire CEOs, Wealthy Donors, and Large Corporations Seen as Having too Much Influence Over American Politics and President Trump

When given a list of people and groups with influence over American politics, Americans were most concerned about the influence of billionaire CEOs, wealthy donors, and large corporations. Republicans are less likely than Democrats and independents to say that these groups or people have too much influence, however Republicans are more likely than Democrats and independents to say activists and lobbyists have too much influence.

  • Older and wealthier people are more likely to say people on the extremes of the political spectrum have too much influence. Americans 55 years old and up are 10 points more likely than those under 55 to say extremes of the political spectrum have too much influence over American politics (55 and up – 33% too much influence, under 55 – 23% too much influence). Likewise, those earning more than $100,000 are 10 points more likely than those who earn less to say extremes of the political spectrum have too much influence ($100,000 and up – 36% too much influence, less than $100,000 – 26% too much influence).
  • Younger people are more likely to think that celebrities and social media creators have too much influence. Members of GenZ are eight points more likely than Boomers to say celebrities have too much influence over politics (GenZ – 19% too much influence, Boomers – 11% too much influence). Similarly, GenZ is more than three times as likely as Boomers to say social media influencers have too much influence (GenZ – 27% too much influence, Boomers – 8% too much influence).

Americans also say that billionaire CEOs, wealthy donors, and large corporations have too much influence over President Trump, personally (48% top three too much influence, 41%, and 31%, respectively). Republicans are at least 20 points less likely than Democrats to say any of these groups have too much influence over Trump. Republicans are also less likely to think that foreign governments have too much influence over Trump.

  • Older Americans think wealthy CEOs and donors have too much influence over Trump. Americans 55 years old and up are more likely than those under 55 to say that billionaire CEOs, and wealthy donors have more influence over Trump (billionaire CEOs: 55 and up – 53% too much influence, under 55: 44% too much influence; wealthy donors: 55 and up – 49% too much influence, under 55 – 34% too much influence).
  • Republicans who watch Fox are more likely than other Republicans to say celebrities have too much influence over Trump. By nine points, Republicans who watch Fox News are more likely than Republicans who do not watch the network to say celebrities have too much influence over Trump (14% and 5%, respectively).

Oil and Gas Seen as Having Too Much Influence on American Politics and Trump

The top three industries Americans think have too much influence on American politics are: oil and gas companies (40%), drug and health companies (35%), and tech and artificial intelligence companies (34%).

  • Younger Americans say religious institutions have too much influence. Americans under the age of 55 are nearly twice as likely as those 55 and up to say religious institutions have too much influence in American politics (55 and up – 11% too much influence, under 55 – 20% too much influence).
  • Non-MAGA Republicans are more likely than their MAGA counterparts to say that oil and gas has too much influence. Non-MAGA Republicans are 11 points more likely than MAGA Republicans to say the oil and gas industry has too much influence (non-MAGA Republicans – 37% too much influence, MAGA Republicans – 26% too much influence).
  • Fox-watching Republicans are more likely than other Republicans to name higher education as having too much influence. Republicans who watch Fox News are 10 points more likely than Republicans who don’t watch the network to say higher education has too much influence over American politics (Republicans who watch Fox – 22% too much influence, Republicans who don’t watch Fox – 12% too much influence).

When it comes to the industries people see as having the most influence over Trump, Americans named oil and gas companies (35% too much influence), Wall Street (32% too much influence), and defense and the military (24% too much influence).

What Moms Want: Affordable Healthcare and a Better Economy

Posted on by Julie

Mothers are Pessimistic on the Economy and Personal Financial Situations

Mothers in the U.S. are far more anxious about the economy and personal finances than fathers: 76% of mothers rate the economy negatively, compared to 55% of fathers who rate the economy negatively. 64% of mothers feel uneasy about their personal finances, compared to just 41% of fathers who report feeling uneasy.  

Additionally, mothers are more likely to say their costs are rising, with 80% saying their costs generally are rising (compared to 74% of fathers), 87% saying the cost of groceries is increasing (compared to 81% of fathers), and 80% saying the cost of utilities is increasing (compared to 69% of fathers). In Navigator’s November focus groups on affordability, one woman with dependents from Maine said: “The electric bill… In Maine, it’s horrific. And I’ll be honest, I haven’t been able to pay, with the cut in my pay right now, I haven’t been able to put really anything on my electric bill.” 

Mothers Want the Government to Focus on Costs and Healthcare

Mothers say they want the president and Congress to focus on the same things as everyone else: inflation and the cost of living (63%), jobs and the economy (42%), and healthcare (41%). Mothers don’t see Trump and Republicans in Congress as sharing their priorities, with a majority seeing them as focused on immigration and foreign conflicts instead (64% and 57%, respectively). Only 18% of mothers believe Trump and Republicans are prioritizing inflation and the cost of living and even fewer believe they’re prioritizing healthcare (11%).

Chart from Navigator Research titled: Trump and Republicans' Priorities Are Out of Step With American Mothers

Mothers Are Significantly Less Confident in Ability to Access Healthcare

One-in-three mothers are not confident in their ability to access healthcare (34%), compared to only 12% of fathers. Unsurprisingly, when it comes to rating both the quality and availability of healthcare, mothers are also more negative. Mothers are 15 points more likely to rate the quality of healthcare as “not so good” or “poor” than fathers (45% of mothers – 30% fathers). Similarly, by 33 points mothers rate the availability and affordability of healthcare as “not so good” or “poor” (31% excellent/good – 64% not so good/poor). Fathers rate the availability and affordability of healthcare negatively – but by a 5 point margin (47% excellent/good – 52% not so good/poor).

  • From focus groups: “I’m a single mom, so for me, if my daughter needs to go, that’s who’s going. She’s going before me. So yeah, I’m going less and reserving the appointments for her if I have to.” – GA woman, ACA marketplace
Chart from Navigator Research titled: Mothers Are Significantly Less Confident in Ability to Access Healthcare

Plurality Say MAHA Movement Has Had Mixed Impacts

While mothers grow increasingly uneasy with the healthcare system, many turn to alternative healthcare routes – as seen in Navigator’s MAHA focus groups from September, with one mother from Florida saying: “I use a lot of Instagram and TikTok outside of Google. … the people that I follow on Instagram and TikTok are holistic doctors and stuff like that, because I’m also into the trying to heal things naturally, staying away from medication. I don’t even take Tylenol, really.”

MAHA remains largely undefined for mothers (and Americans as a whole), but a plurality of mothers say the impacts of the MAHA movement have been mixed (27% positive – 29% mixed – 25% negative). Though when asked what comes to mind when thinking of “MAHA,” mothers most frequently cite healthier food/nutrition (26%) and healthcare pricing/access (17%). 

When it comes to who they trust to handle health and wellness, 40% of mothers trust the Democratic Party more and 26% trust Trump and Republicans more – still 37% say they trust neither party or don’t know who to trust.

Chart from Navigator Research titled: Mothers Largely Don't Know Who to Trust on Health and Wellness

Insurance and Pharmaceutical Companies Blamed for Rising Healthcare Costs

Posted on by Julie

Healthcare is a Top Priority for Americans

Healthcare is among Americans’ top concerns, as 39% say they want the government to prioritize it, yet only 14% think President Trump and Republicans in Congress are focused on it. Jobs and the economy (44%) and inflation and the cost of living (59%) are other top priorities, but Americans don’t see Trump and Republicans focused on those either. Democrats’ priorities are seen as more aligned, as with healthcare on top of the list, much like Americans’ own (32%).

  • Americans continue to trust the Democratic Party more to handle healthcare and a range of healthcare-related issues, though nearly one-in-four say they trust neither party to handle healthcare, disease prevention, health and wellness, and keeping Americans healthy.
Chart from Navigator Research titled: Democrats Remain More Trusted on Health Issues, from Public Health to Healthcare to Health and Wellness

Americans are Frustrated by Costs and Blame the Insurance and Pharmaceutical Industries for Their Issues

The top two concerns about the healthcare system are high costs of doctor’s visits and prescription drugs as well as premiums and deductibles (43% and 40% concerned, respectively). Other top concerns include insurance denying rightful claims (27% concerned) and surprise medical bills (26% concerned).

Only 5% are concerned they don’t have enough time to go to the doctor, while 15% are concerned about finding a doctor and understanding their insurance coverage.

Chart from Navigator Research titled: Greatest Healthcare Concerns Revolve Around Costs

When asked who they blame for issues with the healthcare system, a majority said health insurance companies (61% blame) and pharmaceutical companies (52% blame). 47% blame federal lawmakers while just a third blame state and local governments (33%).

  • Younger Americans are less likely than older Americans to blame federal lawmakers and more likely to blame state and local governments for health care issues. Only 38% of GenZ blames federal lawmakers compared to 57% of Boomers; 46% of GenZ blames state and local governments compared to just 22% of Boomers.
  • MAGA Republicans place more blame on hospitals and health systems than on federal lawmakers (hospitals and health systems – 37%; federal lawmakers – 34%).
Chart from Navigator Research titled: Insurance Companies, Pharmaceutical Companies, Federal Lawmakers Most to Blame for Healthcare Problems

One-in-Three Are Not Confident in Their Ability to Access Healthcare

30% of Americans are not confident in their ability to access quality and affordable healthcare for the foreseeable future – up from 23% in 2020. Similarly, a majority rate the availability and affordability of healthcare in the US as either “not so good” or “poor” (59%), including 71% of Democrats, 62% of independents, and 46% of Republicans. Americans rate the quality of healthcare slightly better, with 54% rating it positively and 44% negatively.

  • 45% of independents say they are not confident in their ability to access quality and affordable healthcare for the foreseeable future.
  • Younger women rate the quality of healthcare in the country the most negatively, with 58% of women under the age of 55 saying the quality is either “poor” or “not so good.”
Chart from Navigator Research titled: Views of the Quality of Healthcare Is More Mixed, While Views of Access:Affordability Are Deeply Negative

Perceptions of MAHA Are Split

Americans’ views are split on MAHA (39% favorable – 40% unfavorable). While views are split, perceptions of MAHA have gotten worse since August when the movement was viewed favorably by nine points (43% favorable – 34% unfavorable). Americans are also split on what comes to mind when they think of MAHA. In an open-ended response, one-in-four say MAHA makes them think of food and nutrition, followed by RFK Jr. (16%), and healthcare pricing/access (15%).

  • In an open-ended response, Americans who are favorable to the MAHA movement, but do not identify as “strong” Republicans (roughly 20% of the overall population), think most of food and nutrition (39%), healthcare access (18%), and artificial ingredients (10%).
Chart from Navigator Research titled: Americans See MAHA as Defined By Nutrition, RFK Jr., Healthcare Pricing and Access

Focus Group Report Pt 2: Healthcare Providers Diagnose the American Healthcare System

Posted on by Kate

Healthcare Costs Are Negatively Impacting Patients

Providers see costs as one of the biggest barriers to care their patients face, sharing stories of how rising costs have forced people to ration their medication or delay seeking treatment only to put themselves in the hospital as a result. 

  • “People take their medicine every other day, stagger it, maybe stretch it out. I’ve seen that. I’ve seen just avoiding healthcare altogether, just not making appointments, not following through, not following up.” – WI woman, nurse practitioner
  • “I had one patient that she was saying that her health insurance was so high she couldn’t go to the doctor. So she started researching stuff on her phone to try to find out what to take. And when she did that, she ended up putting herself in the hospital.” – GA woman, nursing assistant
Slide from Navigator Research titled: The Rising Cost of Healthcare Is Negatively Impacting Patients

Providers Are Noticing Negative Impacts of the Republican Tax Law

Americans are already feeling the impacts of the Republican budget cuts which skyrocketed the cost of healthcare for millions, and providers are taking notice. 

  • “In Congress, the insurance was like, okay, we’re going to up premiums, we’re going to start cutting funding for resources and Medicaid. You started to notice that in November, December, and it really started making people realize in around January that people are getting impacted.” – MI man, physician assistant
  • “I have a gentleman that just lost his Medicaid and no longer has the ability to pay his caregivers. So he’s going to be spending a lot more time in the hospital until they can find a solution for him.” – PA woman, occupational therapist
Slide from Navigator Research titled: Providers Have Noticed Recent Changes To Healthcare Access And Attribute These Changes To Washington

Providers Feel the Healthcare System is “Terminally Ill” 

Healthcare providers had bleak diagnoses for the state of American healthcare, with many noting that a major overhaul is needed in order to fix the system. 

  • “[The system has] to be amputated and cut their limbs off to start….That’s disturbing, but yeah, it needs reform. It needs total reform and we need billionaires to not be billionaires.” – WI woman, nurse practitioner
  • “Bipolar…We need to stop sending billions and billions of dollars to other countries to fund wars rather than supplying our citizens here in the United States with proper healthcare.” – MI woman, patient care tech
Slide from Navigator Research titled: Diagnosis of the American Healthcare System Is Bleak

Healthcare Providers Overwhelmingly Blame Corporate Greed for the Dismal State of the American Healthcare System

Insurance companies are seen as the major villain of the healthcare system and providers want their elected leaders to do something about it. 

  • “Hospitals are managed by business people and all they see is numbers and the insurance reimbursement. And so they make the providers–I have a timeline. There’s a timer on how quickly I can see somebody, do the labs and then discharge them. I think that that’s one of the biggest problems why a lot of patients feel like they’re not listening. It’s because the providers are getting rushed.” – MI man, physician assistant
  • “There’s just a bunch of greed and corruption that’s tied up in these companies, and these companies are only worried about making record-breaking profits.” –NC man, registered nurse
Slide from Navigator Research titled: Providers See Insurance Companies As A Clear Villain And Want To See Something Done About It In Washington

Democrats Have An Advantage On Fighting For Affordable Healthcare

Healthcare providers were troubled by President Trump’s recent comments calling Medicare and Medicaid “scams,” and many saw Democrats as more likely to fight for lower healthcare costs.  

  • “I feel like with Democrats since they’re, I guess, more towards socialism, they want universal healthcare. They want good healthcare outcomes for everybody.” – NC man, registered nurse
  • “For somebody who’s never ever had to worry about money at all probably his whole life, healthcare could seem little to him. But to somebody who’s reliant on their insurance to pick up the medication, I can assure you it’s not little or scammy to them.” – PA woman, recovery specialist
Slide from Navigator Research titled: Democrats More Likely To Be Seen As Fighting For Affordable Healthcare And Providers Are Upset At Trump's Recent Comments Calling Medicare And Medicaid "Scams"

Effective Communication On Healthcare Must Meet People Where They Are

Communicators should remember healthcare is deeply personal, and for many the impact of costly healthcare or complicated rules can be severe. Leaders must acknowledge many Americans’ deep frustrations with the system and speak to these very real everyday issues people are facing. Americans want elected leaders to fight for accessible and affordable healthcare; they don’t know specific details of healthcare plans or policies, and don’t want a fight over semantics.

  • “I feel like healthcare should be made affordable for people regardless of their income…The government should offer more subsidies for prescription medications, because I’ve heard people say that insulin, which is crucial for diabetics, it can cost $800 a month.” – NC man, registered nurse
  • [Referring to terms like Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Medicaid, universal healthcare, Medicare for All, single-payer, public option] “[Those terms are] just terminology.” – PA woman, paramedic
Slide from Navigator Research titled: Providers Want A More Affordable Healthcare System But Even They Had Trouble Identifying The Terminology

Part 1 of this report covered the first two groups: those insured through the ACA marketplace and those who are uninsured. Part 2 here summarizes the findings from our patient-facing healthcare provider group.