Key takeaways from the survey
- Many Americans are still unfamiliar with the filibuster, but when described, a majority say it creates gridlock, not compromise.
- Three in five Americans believe eliminating the filibuster would have a positive impact in making our government work better.
- Proposals to replace or reform the filibuster, including eliminating it for certain legislation or bringing back a “talking filibuster,” earn majority support while eliciting little opposition.
Many Americans Still Do Not Understand the Filibuster Well
Still only one in five (22%) understand what the filibuster is “very well” compared to 20% who said the same in March.
- Among independents, 55% say they do not understand well what the filibuster is, with just 14% who say they understand it “very well.”
Despite Limited Awareness of the Filibuster, a Majority Believe It Creates More Gridlock Than Compromise
Nearly two in three Democrats (62%) and 45% of independents say it “creates more gridlock.”
Majority Say Eliminating Filibuster Will Have a Positive Impact on Making Government Work Better for the People
More than half of independents (54%) and two in five Republicans (42%) say it would have a positive impact.
Roughly Half Support a Range of Filibuster Reforms
Among independents, each proposal (including eliminating the filibuster for certain legislation and bringing back the “talking filibuster”) enjoys at least net +23 support.
- The “talking filibuster” enjoys net +24 support among Republicans as well.
About The Study
This release features findings from a national online survey of 1,001 registered voters conducted June 10-14, 2021. Additional interviews were conducted among 99 Hispanic voters, 102 African American voters, 101 independents without a partisan lean, and 71 Asian American and Pacific Islander voters.