The Democracy for All Project, a multiyear collaboration between Gallup and the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, continues its effort to understand how Americans experience democracy and how those experiences differ across communities, generations, and political identities. Its September 2026 report, Frustration Rises, Commitment Endures, draws on a survey of 23,683 U.S. adults conducted between April 24 and June 10, 2026, with a maximum margin of sampling error of ±1 percentage point at the 95% confidence level. It is the most extensive annual study of how Americans participate in and perceive the democratic system.
A Public Still Committed to Democracy—But Increasingly Disillusioned
The report finds that Americans remain committed to democracy as an ideal even as their confidence in its performance continues to erode. Two‑thirds (66%) still say democracy is the best form of government, essentially unchanged from last year. Yet assessments of how democracy is functioning have worsened: 56% now say democracy is performing poorly, up from 51% in 2025, while the share who say it is performing well has fallen to 19%. Much of this shift comes from Republicans and Republican‑leaning independents, whose views have moved closer to the more critical assessments long held by Democrats and other independents.
“The survey captures the hopes Americans have for the ideal of democracy,” says John Dedrick, executive vice president and chief operating officer at the Kettering Foundation, “but too many are frustrated with their actual experience of democracy.”
Americans See a Weaker Democracy—Past and Future
Most Americans believe democracy has weakened over time. Sixty percent say U.S. democracy was stronger 50 years ago—at the nation’s bicentennial—than it is today, while only 21% say it was weaker. Looking ahead to the tricentennial, more expect democracy to decline (45%) than strengthen (31%).
Optimism, however, is not evenly distributed. Americans who are more politically engaged, more active in their communities, and more satisfied with how democracy works locally are far more hopeful. Among those who trust local leaders, 38% expect democracy to strengthen over the next half‑century.
“As the country marks 250 years, Americans’ perceptions of their democracy are sobering,” says Justin Lall, Gallup principal. “A majority say democracy was stronger 50 years ago, and more expect it to weaken than strengthen over the next 50 years. Yet optimism hasn’t disappeared—it’s common among people who are engaged in their communities and who see democracy working where they live.”
Concerns About the Rule of Law and Executive Power
Americans express deep concern about the rule of law. A majority (56%) say it is weaker than it was a decade ago—four times as many say it is stronger. While 78% believe government officials must always follow the law, only 28% trust that political leaders will actually be held accountable, down from 32% last year. Again, most of this decline is driven by Republicans.
Concerns about concentrated power center on the presidency: 59% say the executive branch has too much power, compared with 38% for the judicial branch and 34% for the legislative branch. Ratings of poor performance have also risen for institutions meant to uphold the rule of law, including equal treatment under the law (60%, up from 55%), the separation of powers (51%, up from 47%), and the criminal justice system (57%, up from 55%). Americans living comfortably on their income are more likely to say the balance of power is working well (26%) than those struggling to get by (10%).
A Tale of Two Democracies: Local Confidence, National Doubt
Americans view democracy far more positively close to home. About one‑third (34%) say democracy is performing well in their own city or town—nearly double the share who say the same about democracy nationally (19%). Only 21% rate their local democracy as doing poorly, compared with 56% who say the same about national democracy.
Local optimism appears rooted in lived experience rather than a belief that local decisions matter more. Only 24% say local decisions affect their daily lives more than national ones. Instead, positive views of local democracy correlate strongly with satisfaction with local services, trust in neighbors, and trust in information from local leaders. Notably, those who view their local democracy positively are also more likely to view national democracy positively—suggesting that strong local institutions may help sustain broader democratic commitment.
How Americans Would Strengthen Democracy
When asked in an open‑ended question what one change would most improve U.S. democracy, Americans most often cite:
- Changing who holds office (17%)
- Election reform to ensure fairness (13%)
- Giving the public more voice (9%)
- Increasing accountability and reducing corruption (9%)
- Strengthening checks and balances to limit executive power (9%)
Americans say they are most likely to get involved when they believe a right or freedom is threatened (27%) or when they believe their participation can make a real difference (26%).
A Democracy Americans Still Believe In—But Want to Repair
Taken together, the findings describe a public that remains committed to democracy in principle but increasingly convinced it is falling short in practice. Americans see more promise in their local communities than in the nation as a whole, and that local confidence may be one of democracy’s most important remaining strengths.
You can download the full report here: Democracy for All Project
This article was adapted from a press release and analysis published by The Charles F. Kettering Foundation
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