Protecting their own rights is the top reason Americans get involved in politics
Core finding
Verasight surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults from September 25 to 30, 2026. 43.9% of Americans say defending their own rights is their main reason to take part in politics, ahead of patriotic duty (26.3%) and defending their community's rights (22.6%).
Defending other groups motivates 7.1%. Respondents chose a single main reason for taking part in politics.
Topline distribution
Protecting their own rights is the top reason Americans get involved in politics.
When it comes to participating in politics, which would you say is your main motivation to participate?
n = 1,000 · Sep 25–30, 2026 · MoE ±3.5%
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 | ±3.5% |
| Module | Democracy, Politics, & Participation |
| 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
When it comes to participating in politics, which would you say is your main motivation to participate?
Cite this question
APSA Omnibus Survey #2026-153, fielded September 25-30, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.5%.