More than 7 in 10 Americans believe the future of democracy is under serious threat, including a majority of voters in both parties, according to a survey released by Marist Poll on Thursday.
Seventy-three percent of respondents said when thinking about the issues that divide the nation, there is a serious threat to the future of the nation’s democracy, while 26 percent do not seeing such a threat.
Democrats were more likely to see a threat than independents or Republicans, with 86 percent saying a threat exists, compared to 74 percent of independents and 61 percent of Republicans.
Despite the high numbers of citizens who are concerned with the nation’s politics, the results mark a one percent decrease compared to responses collected in August of 2023.
Sixty-nine percent of survey takers said they believe national elections are open and fair, while 31 percent disagreed and one percent were unsure.
Similarly, 64 percent of respondents said they believed the rights of people with unpopular views are protected. Thirty-six percent disagreed with the statement while one percent were unsure.
An overwhelming majority, 91 percent, affirmed that people have the right to non-violent protests; 9 percent disagreed and less than one percent were unsure.
Marist Poll surveyed adults in the U.S. from Dec. 3rd to Dec. 5th of 2024. Respondents were contacted by phone using live interviewers, by text or online. Results are within the margin of error at ±2.1 percentage points.
