A new national poll shows Democrats are facing a devastating collapse in public support, with just 27% of registered voters approving of congressional Democrats’ performance — a sharp drop from 39% in early 2024.
The survey, conducted by the Marist Poll in partnership with NPR and PBS News, reveals that 58% of voters now disapprove of how Democrats are handling their leadership role in Congress. The remaining 15% are undecided.
Even more concerning for the party: Democrats themselves are split. Just 44% of Democratic voters approve of their congressional leadership, while 43% now openly disapprove — a sign of serious internal division just over a year from the 2026 midterm elections.
In contrast, Republicans in Congress are seeing modest gains. 36% of all respondents said they approve of congressional Republicans, up from 26% earlier this year. Approval among Republicans remains strong at 73%.
Still, 52% of voters disapprove of the GOP’s performance in Congress, and 12% are undecided — showing both parties face public skepticism, but Democrats are suffering a steeper collapse in their base support.
Deepening Crisis for Democrats
The poll results come as Democratic Party officials struggle to hold their coalition together amid disappointing fundraising numbers and escalating internal infighting. Sources inside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) say donations have dropped significantly over the past 90 days, with party operatives divided over strategy heading into the 2026 elections.
The House remains narrowly under Republican control, and Democrats are desperate to flip enough seats to retake the chamber. But these new polling numbers suggest they’re facing an uphill battle — not just with independents, but with their own base.
Polling Details
The Marist survey was conducted from June 23 to June 25, sampling 1,381 adults nationwide. Among them, 1,206 were registered voters. The margin of error for all adults is ±2.9%, and ±3.1% for registered voters.
The party breakdown of registered voters polled was 35% Democrat, 34% Republican, and 29% independent — offering a relatively balanced look at current voter sentiment.
With fewer than 18 months until the next major election, the Democratic Party’s messaging, leadership, and performance in Congress appear to be costing them trust at the most crucial moment.
Further polling in key battleground states is expected to be released in the coming weeks.
