Pew Research: The Changing Face of the Democratic Party
As the Democratic National Convention kicks off in Chicago, with Vice President Kamala Harris set to receive the presidential nomination, it's worth taking a closer look at the party's voter base. Recent data from Pew Research Center reveals significant shifts in the demographics, beliefs, and priorities of Democratic voters. Let's dive into some of the most striking trends:
Increasing Diversity The Democratic Party has become substantially more diverse over the past few decades. Today, a remarkable 44% of Democratic voters are people of color, nearly doubling from 23% in 1996. This shift reflects the party's growing appeal among minority communities and the changing demographics of the United States as a whole.
Rising Education Levels There's been a dramatic increase in the educational attainment of Democratic voters. The proportion of those with at least a bachelor's degree has doubled since the 1990s, now standing at 45%. This trend outpaces the more modest increase seen among Republican voters.
Changing Religious Landscape Nearly half of Democratic voters (46%) now identify as something other than Christian, with the share of religiously unaffiliated Democrats doubling since 2008. This reflects a broader secularization trend in American society, which is particularly pronounced within the Democratic Party.
Strong Support for Kamala Harris Vice President Harris appears to be generating more enthusiasm among Democratic voters than her predecessor, Joe Biden. A whopping 90% of Democrats say they would vote for Harris if the election were held today, with 58% expressing strong support. This level of backing could be crucial for party unity and voter turnout in the upcoming election.
Key Issues and Policy Preferences Democratic voters are particularly concerned about gun violence, healthcare costs, partisan gridlock, and climate change. They also strongly favor an active federal government, with 74% preferring a bigger government that provides more services – a significant increase from 59% in 2015.
Abortion Rights Support for legal abortion has grown even stronger among Democrats, with 85% now saying it should be legal in all or most cases. This issue has become increasingly central to the party's platform, especially in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Changing Views on Institutions Democrats' opinion of the Supreme Court has plummeted, with only 24% now holding a favorable view. This shift is largely attributed to the court's recent decisions, particularly on abortion rights. Additionally, there's growing concern among Democrats about the court's power, with 62% saying it's too powerful.
Partisan Polarization The data also highlights increasing polarization between the parties. A majority of Democrats (55%) now view the Republican Party very unfavorably, up from just 17% three decades ago. This trend, mirrored on the Republican side, underscores the growing partisan divide in American politics.
These trends paint a picture of a Democratic Party that is more diverse, educated, and secular than ever before. It's a party that strongly supports reproductive rights, favors an active government role in addressing social issues, and is increasingly at odds with its Republican counterparts.
As we look ahead to the upcoming election, these insights will be crucial for understanding the motivations and priorities of Democratic voters. They also highlight the challenges and opportunities facing the party as it seeks to build a broad coalition in an increasingly polarized political landscape.
Click here to read the report.