Many Democrats Still Dissatisfied with Their Party, Poll Finds

Favorability of Democratic Party remains low despite recent wins, frustrating some voters

Feb. 21, 2026 at 8:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new AP-NORC poll finds that only about 7 in 10 Democrats have a positive view of the Democratic Party, down significantly from the party's favorability rating before the 2024 election. The lack of enthusiasm could be a longer-term problem for Democrats, even as they have notched a series of wins in recent special elections.

Why it matters

Democrats' diminished favorability among their own base could pose challenges for the party heading into the 2024 midterm elections, despite other factors that could benefit them such as negative views of Republicans. The poll suggests Democrats are deeply frustrated with their party, which could impact turnout and enthusiasm.

The details

The poll found that Democrats' favorability of their own party plummeted from 85% in September 2024 to 67% in October 2025, and those views have not recovered despite recent electoral victories. The lack of enthusiasm is consistent across different demographics of Democrats. Other polling has found that roughly two-thirds of Democrats say their own party makes them 'frustrated', with many feeling the party is not fighting hard enough against Republicans or lacking good leadership.

  • The AP-NORC poll was conducted from February 5-8, 2026.
  • Democrats' favorability of their party dropped from 85% in September 2024 to 67% in October 2025.

The players

Democratic Party

The political party that currently holds the presidency and a narrow majority in Congress.

Republican Party

The opposition political party that lost the presidency in 2024 but maintains control of the House of Representatives.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The poll suggests Democrats face an enthusiasm gap among their own supporters heading into a critical midterm election year, which could impact turnout and their ability to maintain control of Congress. The party will need to address the underlying frustrations within its base to energize voters and build momentum.