A new poll by Johns Hopkins’ SNF Agora Institute and YouGov reveals nearly half of Americans view the opposing political party as “evil,” highlighting the deepening political divisions in the lead-up to the 2024 election. Researchers warn that such vilification threatens the health of democracy, emphasizing the need for mutual respect and compromise in governance.
In a startling revelation, recent polling data from Johns Hopkins University’s SNF Agora Institute indicates that nearly 50% of the U.S. electorate views members of the opposing political party as “downright evil.” These findings underscore the deepening political polarization in the United States as the nation gears up for the 2024 presidential election.
The survey, which involved 2,000 demographically and politically representative eligible voters, reveals that three-quarters of Republicans who deny the results of the 2020 presidential election share the belief that Democrats are “downright evil.” The sentiment is notably less prevalent among Republicans who accept Joe Biden’s victory, with only 27% agreeing with the characterization. On the other side of the aisle, about half of Democrats consider Republicans to be “evil.”
“Vilifying our political opponents is a signal that we consider them to be enemies instead of opponents,” Lilliana Mason, an associate professor of political science at SNF Agora Institute, said in a news release. “The work of governing a democracy requires compromise and mutual respect. These sentiments make that respect nearly impossible, which threatens the health of democracy.”
The research initiative, led by Mason and Scott Warren, an SNF Agora visiting fellow, aims to provide a deeper understanding of the U.S. electorate in the lead-up to the 2024 election.
Conducted in partnership with YouGov, the study takes a unique approach by repeatedly surveying the same group of respondents. The first poll ran from July 26 to July 30, with the second following from Sept. 6 to Sept. 18.
Key findings from the poll indicate a stark ideological chasm, especially among Republicans known as “election deniers.” The data shows that 2020 election denialism has transformed into an identity issue for many, shaping their views on a wide range of topics, including gender and race.
“2020 election denialism has become an identity issue as much as a substantive policy measure,” Warren said in the news release. “Republicans who do believe in the results of the 2020 election have strikingly pro-democracy viewpoints and may feel that they don’t have a political home at this moment in time. Figuring out how to include them in our democracy is critical at this moment.”
The data suggests that Republican election deniers are less likely to support a woman president, with 28% believing women are better suited for domestic roles compared to 21% of independents, 20% of Republicans who accept Biden’s presidency and 17% of Democrats.
Additionally, more than 80% of election deniers “strongly agree” or “somewhat agree” that Black Americans should overcome prejudices without “special favors,” akin to ethnic groups like Irish, Italian and Jewish communities in history.
Further polarization is evident in respondents’ priorities. For election deniers and other Republicans, top concerns include the economy, immigration and crime. Democrats, meanwhile, prioritize issues like abortion, the economy and democracy, with independents ranking the economy, immigration and abortion as their key voting issues.
The poll also revealed a growing apprehension about the acceptance of election results. While trust in Democrats conceding an election loss has slightly increased, Republicans’ willingness to concede has decreased, reflecting deep mistrust across party lines. Nonetheless, fewer people are bracing for post-election violence, with the percentage of respondents expecting significant violence dropping from 22% in July to 20% in September.
“As we continue this panel research, we observed fairly small changes between our first wave in July and now, indicating a relatively stable electorate,” added Warren. “We’ll be watching to see if there are any changes right before or after the election, when we launch our next panels.”
This comprehensive study shines a light on the entrenched partisanship and social divides that characterize the current American political landscape, raising crucial questions about the future of democracy and governance in the United States.