Yet another poll shows that voters feel that there is a rising threat to our democracy and know that the influence of money in politics is driving that threat. CBS News found:
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72% of voters feel our democracy is under threat
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86% of voters believe the influence of money in politics is driving that threat
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This includes 86% of Democrats and 86% of Republicans
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This follows an NBC poll that found that threats to democracy are the top issue for voters heading into the midterms this November and a Quinnipiac poll that found that 74% of voters believe our democracy is under threat.
In a recent memo, ECU outlined the trend among Senate Democrats running on taking on corruption and threats to our democracy.
“The American people know that the billions of dollars that have flooded into our elections pose a real threat to our democracy,” said End Citizens United // Let America Vote President Tiffany Muller. “That’s why they see the influence of money in politics as the driving force behind the threats to democracy that are increasing across the country, and why Democrats continue to run and win on this issue as we move towards November.”
CBS News: Americans continue to feel U.S. democracy is under threat
Anthony Salvanto
09/01/22
Key points:
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Americans continue to believe democracy and the rule of law are under threat — a view that’s remained high over the last year and is at 72% today — though they believe that for an assortment of reasons.
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The influence of money in politics tops the list of reasons, among those who feel it is threatened. The potential for political violence concerns most across party lines. Two-thirds cite people trying to overturn elections as a major threat. Just under half of Americans believe a major threat comes from people voting illegally, but this view is held by a majority of Republicans.
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And perhaps related to that influence of money, there’s still a sizable number who see a threat that seems to stem from a feeling of a lack of efficacy or agency: the idea that “most people don’t have a say.”
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