Political attitudes and public opinion
Percent of age-eligible citizen population that is registered to vote.
U.S. Census Bureau, Voting and Registration Historical Time Series Tables.
The subpopulation “Age 18 to 24” only includes people who are age-eligible to vote in the year and state in which they live. Prior to 1972, data are for people age 21 to 24 with the exception of people in Georgia and Kentucky (age 18 to 24) and Hawaii (age 20 to 24).
In 2002, there were substantial changes in the racial categories used by the Census Bureau. Time series by race that include data from both racial classifications should be interpreted with care. More details on the changes in racial categories.
Percent of age-eligible citizen population voting in national Presidential (e.g., 2000, 2004) or Congressional (e.g., 2002, 2006) elections.
U.S. Census Bureau, Voting and Registration Historical Time Series Tables.
Voting-age citizens were asked: “In any election some people are not able to vote because they are sick or busy, or have some other reason, and others do not want to vote. Did (this person) vote in the election held on November (date varies)?” Respondents were classified as either “voted” or “did not vote.” The “did not vote” category includes those who reported “do not know.”
The subpopulation “Age 18 to 24” only includes people who are age-eligible to vote in the year and state in which they live. Prior to 1972, data are for people age 21 to 24 with the exception of people in Georgia and Kentucky (age 18 to 24) and Hawaii (age 20 to 24).
In 2002, there were substantial changes in the racial categories used by the Census Bureau. Time series by race that include data from both racial classifications should be interpreted with care. More details on the changes in racial categories.
Percent of population that thinks of themselves as “strong” or “not strong” Democrats.
General Social Survey, 1987-2010. The Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality used the “Survey Documentation and Analysis” interface provided by the University of California, Berkeley, to generate the data.
The exact question wording is, “Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or what?” Answer choices are “strong Democrat,” “not strong Democrat,” “Independent, near Democrat,” “Independent,” “Independent, near Republican,” “not strong Republican,” “strong Republican,” or “other party.”
A small number of respondents said they did not know.
Percent of population that thinks of themselves as “strong” or “not strong” Republicans.
General Social Survey, 1987-2010. The Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality used the “Survey Documentation and Analysis” interface provided by the University of California, Berkeley, to generate the data.
The exact question wording is, “Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or what?” Answer choices are “strong Democrat,” “not strong Democrat,” “Independent, near Democrat,” “Independent,” “Independent, near Republican,” “not strong Republican,” “strong Republican,” or “other party.”
A small number of respondents said they did not know.
Percent of population that thinks of themselves as “Independent,” “Independent, near Democrat,” or “Independent, near Republican.”
General Social Survey, 1987-2010. The Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality used the “Survey Documentation and Analysis” interface provided by the University of California, Berkeley, to generate the data.
The exact question wording is, “Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or what?” Answer choices are “strong Democrat,” “not strong Democrat,” “Independent, near Democrat,” “Independent,” “Independent, near Republican,” “not strong Republican,” “strong Republican,” or “other party.”
A small number of respondents said they did not know.
Percent of population that “strongly agrees” or “agrees” that people like themselves and their families have a good chance of improving their standard of living.
General Social Survey, 1987-2010. The Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality used the “Survey Documentation and Analysis” interface provided by the University of California, Berkeley, to generate the data.
The exact question wording is, “The way things are in America, people like me and my family have a good chance of improving our standard of living. Do you agree or disagree?” Answer choices are “strongly agree,” “agree,” “neither,” “disagree,” and “strongly disagree.” A small number of respondents said they could not choose.
Percent of population reporting that their financial situation has been getting worse during the last few years.
General Social Survey, 1987-2010. The Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality used the “Survey Documentation and Analysis” interface provided by the University of California, Berkeley, to generate the data.
The exact question wording is, “During the last few years, has your financial situation been getting better, worse, or has it stayed the same?” A small number of respondents said they did not know.
Percent of population that thinks people get ahead by their own hard work, rather than by lucky breaks or help from other people.
General Social Survey, 1987-2010. The Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality used the “Survey Documentation and Analysis” interface provided by the University of California, Berkeley, to generate the data.
The exact question wording is, “Some people say that people get ahead by their own hard work; others say that lucky breaks or help from other people are more important. Which do you think is most important?” A small number of respondents said they did not know.
Percent of population who agree that they “think of America as divided into haves and have-nots.”
The exact question wording is, “Some people think of American society as divided into two groups, the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots,’ while others think it’s incorrect to think of America that way. Do you, yourself, think of America as divided into haves and have-nots, or don’t you think of America that way?” Answer choices are “yes, divided” and “no.”
This question is included in more than one poll in some years, but the data are based on only one poll per year. The polls used were conducted in June 2001, February 2004, March 2005, September 2006, July 2007, January 2008, March 2009, April 2010, and December 2011.
Percent of population that “completely agrees” or “mostly agrees” that government regulation of business usually does more harm than good.
The exact question wording is, “Now I am going to read you a series of statements that will help us understand how you feel about a number of things. For each statement, please tell me if you completely agree with it, mostly agree with it, mostly disagree with it, or completely disagree with it…Government regulation of business usually does more harm than good.”
This question was asked in polls conducted in April 1987, May 1988, May 1990, May 1992, July 1994, November 1997, September 1999, July 2002, July 2003, December 2006, March 2009, September 2011, and September 2012.
Percent of population who “completely agree” or “mostly agree” that it is the responsibility of the government to take care of people who can’t take care of themselves.
The exact question wording is, “Now I am going to read you another series of statements on some different topics. For each statement, please tell me if you completely agree with it, mostly agree with it, mostly disagree with it, or completely disagree with it…It is the responsibility of the government to take care of people who can’t take care of themselves.”
This question was asked in polls conducted in April 1987, May 1988, May 1990, May 1992, May 1993, July 1994, November 1997, September 1999, July 2002, July 2003, December 2006, March 2009, September 2011, and April 2012.