Most Americans think U.S. democracy is weakening
Core finding
In a Verasight survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted September 25 to 30, 2026, 62.8% say democracy in the U.S. is getting weaker, including 36.1% who say much weaker. Just 10.7% say it is getting stronger.
Separately, 59.4% agree that people like them don't have any say about what the government does.
Weaker, not stronger
Somewhat weaker accounts for 26.7% and much weaker for 36.1%. On the other side, 7.3% say somewhat stronger and 3.4% much stronger.
Another 17.5% say democracy is about the same, and 9.0% aren't sure.
The question asks which way democracy is moving, not how democratic the country is today.
Topline
62.8% of Americans say democracy in the U.S. is getting weaker, and 10.7% say stronger.
n = 1,000 · Sep 25–30, 2026 · MoE ±3.3%
Little sense of a say
Strong agreement accounts for 26.1%, and 33.3% agree somewhat.
Disagreement totals 20.5%, and 16.6% neither agree nor disagree.
Topline
59.4% agree that people like them don't have any say about what the government does.
n = 1,000 · Sep 25–30, 2026 · MoE ±3.3%
Two separate questions
The two results come from separate questions and do not show how many people gave both answers.
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | Sep 25–30, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.3% |
| Module | Society, Culture, & Identity |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report
Would you say democracy in the United States is becoming…
- reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report
How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People like me don’t have any say about what the government does.
Cite this topic
APSA Omnibus Survey #2026-153, fielded September 25-30, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.