Poll: Political Engagement

This Navigator Research report covers Americans’ attitudes toward politics, including whether they have become more or less engaged and the emotions they experience regarding the political climate.

Americans are Feeling Anxious, Discouraged, and Exhausted

Nearly half of Americans cite feeling “anxious” when it comes to politics (49 percent). A similar majority also cites feeling “discouraged” (49 percent) — though among those who have become less engaged in politics, the share increases to 66 percent. Similarly, Americans who have become less engaged in politics over-index on feeling “exhausted” (52 percent less engaged, 42 percent more engaged).

Women are more likely to feel “scared” about the state of politics than men (47 percent of women, 29 percent of men).

Only 12 percent of Americans who have become less engaged in politics feel “secure,” signaling that the decline in engagement is correlated with uncertainty in the political climate.

Less Engaged Americans Are Concerned about Medicaid Cuts, Tariffs, and ICE Raids

Over three-quarters of Americans who have become less engaged in politics are concerned about the cuts to Medicaid in the Republican budget (77 percent less engaged, 70 percent more engaged). A similar majority of less engaged Americans is concerned about Trump’s use of tariffs (71 percent – 61 percent more engaged). Less politically engaged Americans also over-index on feeling concerned about Trump’s use of the National Guard in the protests against ICE in Los Angeles (69 percent less engaged, 64 percent more engaged).

Note: Less politically engaged Americans rate the economy more negatively – 77 percent of less engaged Americans rate the economy negatively compared to 64 percent of Americans overall. The group is also more uneasy about their personal financial situations – with 67 percent feeling uneasy compared to 53 percent of Americans overall.