According to a new poll from the Associated Press (AP) and NORC at the University of Chicago, public perception of the Democratic Party continues to erode, signaling potentially critical issues for the party in the 2026 midterm election cycle.
The poll, conducted May 1-5 among 1,175 U.S. adults, found a startling lack of confidence in the Democratic Party compared to ten months ago before President Donald Trump won the popular vote and the electoral college — particularly among Democrats.
As of May 2025, only 35 percent of Democrats are optimistic about the party’s future outlook according to the poll, a full 22 points down from APNORC polling conducted during the summer of 2024. 36 percent of Democrats are pessimistic about the party’s future, up 10 points since July, and 29 percent aren’t sure, up 13 points since July.
