Many Democrats Still Dissatisfied with Party, Poll Finds

New AP-NORC survey shows Democratic voters' views of their own party have not improved despite recent election wins.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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A new AP-NORC poll has found that despite a series of recent special election wins for Democratic candidates, views of the Democratic Party among rank-and-file Democrats have not improved. The survey suggests many Democrats remain dissatisfied with their own party.

Why it matters

The poll results indicate the Democratic Party is still struggling to energize and unite its base, even as it has found electoral success in some key races. This could pose challenges for the party as it looks to maintain momentum heading into the 2024 election cycle.

The details

The AP-NORC poll found that just 37% of Democrats say they have a favorable view of their own party, while 62% have an unfavorable view. This represents only a slight improvement from a similar poll conducted in 2022, when 34% of Democrats viewed the party favorably.

  • The AP-NORC poll was conducted in February 2026.

The players

AP-NORC

The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, a nonpartisan research organization that conducts public opinion surveys.

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The takeaway

The continued dissatisfaction among Democrats with their own party, even after recent electoral wins, highlights the challenges the party faces in energizing its base and presenting a unified vision heading into the 2024 election cycle.