A survey by YouGov has found that majorities of both major political parties agree on how important certain factors are in maintaining a strong democracy. Fair national elections, a system of checks and balances were both cited by most people. Democrats were more likely to find each factor to be very important. The survey also asked about gender, racial and religious equality and if people from different groups are treated equally in the United States.
80% said it was important that national elections remain open and fair, 71% say a system of checks and balances dividing power between the president, courts and Congress was needed to maintain a strong democracy. 69% cited the importance of right to non-violent protests. Majorities also mentioned the rights of those with views that are not poplar remain protected (61%) and that new organizations are allowed to criticize political leaders.
Democrats are more likely to say each factor is important to maintaining a strong democracy. The biggest gap between Republicans and Democrats was around news organizations being allowed to criticize political leaders. 75% of Democrats and 43% of Republicans believe it is important. A similar gap exists about the right of those to have non-violent protests-86% of Democrats and 57% of Republicans say it is important.
Majorities in general agree that people have the right to conduct non-violent protests (77% say they strongly or somewhat agree. 71% say news organizations must be able to criticize political leaders, and 70% emphasize the need for open and fair national elections.
Republicans are more likely than Democrats to agree there is a system of checks and balances dividing the president, congress and the courts (78% vs 59%). 84% of Americans (85% men and 84% women) believer the genders should be economic, social and political equals. This is a rise among men from just 77% thinking women deserve equality to them in November 2024, per a YouGov Survey conducted at the time.
However, just 29% of Americans believe that women are treated equally to men in social, economic, and political measures. Men (36%) are more likely than women (22%) to say there is equality among the sexes. Democrats (93%) are more likely than Republicans (81%) to say that men and women should be treated as equals, and are less likely to say they already are treated as social, political and economic equals (16% D vs 44% R).
88% of Americans believe that white and Black Americans should be treated as political, social and economic equals. 29% say they already are.
White Americans (91%) are more likely than Black (82%) and Hispanic (80%) Americans to say white and Black Americans should be treated as equals- dissenting groups did not indicate which group they think should be treated better. White Americans are also more likely than Black Americans to say that the two groups are already treated equally (31% vs 18%). 55% of white Americans and 71% of Black Americans will say that the two groups are not treated as equals currently.
Majorities of Republicans (85%), Independents (86%) and Democrats (93%) say white and Black Americans deserve to be treated equally. Republicans (45%) are more likely to say that they are already treated equally than Democrats (14%). 83% of Americans say that Christian and non-Christians should be political, social and economic equals. 31% say they already are. 84% of Christians and 82% of non-Christians say the groups should be equals. 37% of christians say they area already treated equal, 45% say they are not. Non-Christians have 25% saying the groups are equal and 52% say they are not. YouGov notes that in the purpose of the survey Christian includes those who identify as Roman Catholics, Protestant, Mormon, Eastern or Greek Orthodox, while non-Christians includes affiliation as Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Atheist, Agnostic, nothing in particular or something else.