The third part of a series of polls by the James Madison Institute focuses on the current political climate.
71% of voters surveyed said the United States is extremely or very divided, 21% said it is somewhat divided, only 6% said it is not divided, and 2% were unsure.
Many voters practice political self-censorship. A slim majority (52%) feel safe sharing their political views (18% very much, 34% somewhat), but 44% feel unsafe and 4% are unsure. This division suggests caution in public debate and could influence how voters view the country’s divisions.
“Strong labor unions, difficult economy” resonated strongly. Fifty-nine percent agree that our unions are strong, but our economy is in trouble, compared to 36% who disagree and 4% who are unsure. This captures optimism tempered by economic concerns, particularly around affordability.
The Constitution maintains broad support, with 73% affirming its continued importance, compared to 23% who have doubts about it and 5% who are unsure. Among 18- to 34-year-olds, that number drops to just 40%, and 26% of younger voters say it probably doesn’t matter or doesn’t matter at all.
Voters want a balanced civics education for America’s 250th citizen. 53% prefer to emphasize strengths and avoid superficial issues, 19% prefer to acknowledge shortcomings without ignoring successes, 14% prefer to focus only on strengths, 8% fail, and 6% are unsure. This balanced approach is consistent with a patriotic yet critical education.
Voter ID
69% agree that voter identification increases confidence in federal elections, 16% disagree and 8% are unsure. Strong support shows that they prioritize election integrity.
Technology, energy and health issues
Voters are enthusiastic about infrastructure growth but cautious about certain technologies, reflecting a pragmatic attitude toward progress.
There is growing concern about medical devices made in China, with 55% concerned, 40% not concerned, and 5% unsure.
Voters strongly support expanding energy generation, with 72% supporting expansion to meet demand, 14% opposed and 14% unsure. As Florida’s population grows, this approval underscores the urgency for reliable energy.
Data centers have majority support, but there is clear hesitation. 52% support the investment attraction measures, 34% oppose and 14% are unsure. It seems important to balance economic benefits with environmental and ratepayer concerns.
Self-driving cars face a lack of trust. Only 32% think self-driving cars (like Waymo) are safe, 60% think they are unsafe, and 7% are unsure. Survey data shows that younger generations are more likely than older generations to think self-driving cars are safe, and adults under 45 are more likely to rate self-driving cars as “very” or “somewhat” safe than adults over 65.
