Research & Studies
The Center for Politics at the University of Virginia
Voiceof the Voter
Analysis & Findings
A new national study by the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia reveals a stunning number of Americans endorsing policies that could challenge the U.S. Constitution, even as a majority express a preference for democracy over other forms of governance. This study of 2,008 U.S. registered voters conducted from Aug. 25 to Sept. 11, 2023, is the initial phase of a series by the Center for Politics’ Project Home Fire to gauge sentiments as the 2024 presidential race looms. For more information on the study, including figures and charts spelling out the findings, see this companion presentation and check out the post over at Sabato’s Crystal Ball.
Project Home Fire
Research Results
Project Home Fire conducted research this last summer using a representative sample of 2,012 2020 U.S. presidential election voters, divided into 1,001 Donald Trump voters and 1,011 Joe Biden voters. As an outcome, we’ve identified over 40 million compromise receptive Biden and Trump voters – what we call a “bridging population” – who present as compromise receptive and are, in significant ways, less dissimilar from each other than they know. We’ve also uncovered a framework — or “compromise corridors” — for engaging these compromise receptive Biden and Trump voters and moving them towards more positive change and action. Explore our findings surrounding trust in government, January 6th, ethnic/racial politics, and more.