Most agree we are moving away from the principles contained within the Declaration of Independence.
By a margin of 67%-13%, Americans believe the United States is moving further away from the principles contained in the Declaration of Independence.
- Most Americans also agree those principles are still relevant.
WHY IT MATTERS – This strong sense that we are drifting from our core principles gives context to the high numbers of Americans who believe the country is on the wrong track (73%).
HOW TO USE THIS DATA – Candidates and activists can establish that they understand voters’ deeper concerns about the country, in addition to issues such as the economy and immigration.
READ THE REPORT – Click on the image below to view the slideshow or continue to read highlights of the results in the body of the article.
The June 22-25, 2023, poll by America’s New Majority Project, conducted by McLaughlin and Associates, revealed:
Narrow majority say Independence Day is one of our nation’s most important holidays.
- 51% say Independence Day is one of our most important holidays.
- Just 5% say least important, and 42% say somewhere in between.
- Republicans (65%) are more likely than Democrats (40%) and Independents (46%) to say most important.
- The least likely to say most important are Gen Z (32%), Blacks (39%), and Democrats (40%).
- Voters in America’s New Majority are more likely to say most important compared to all voters (56% to 51%).
- WORTH NOTING – Key target groups within America’s New Majority (those currently undecided or leaning Democrat on the congressional ballot) are more like the Left Minority on this question.
Large majority agree the principles of the Declaration of Independence are still relevant.
- 78% say the principles of the Declaration of Independence – such as equality, self-governance, and being endowed by your Creator with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – are still relevant today.
- Just 18% disagree.
- The most significant divide among those who agree is by age.
- 86% of Baby Boomers agree compared to just 67% of Gen Z, 73% of Millennials, and 74% of Gen X.
- There is significant difference in those strongly agreeing by party and race.
- Republicans (61%) are more likely than Independents (46%) and Democrats (40%) to say they strongly agree.
- Whites (55%) are more likely to than Asians (34%), Blacks (33%), and Hispanics (39%) to say they strongly agree.
- Voters in America’s New Majority have similar responses to voters overall.
Most believe the U.S. is moving away from the principles contained in the Declaration of Independence.
- 67% say the U.S. is moving away from the principles of the Declaration of Independence – such as equality, self-governance, and being endowed by our Creator with the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
- 13% say the U.S. is moving closer to those principles.
- A majority of every group agrees we are moving away from those principles, except for Gen Z (46%), which is a plurality.
- 72% of voters in America’s New Majority say we are moving away from those principles, which is 5 points higher than voters overall.
- Voters who say the country is on the wrong track are much more likely to say we are drifting away from those principles than those who say we are on the right track (76% to 43%, respectively).
- Voters who say the principles of the Declaration are no longer relevant are more likely to say we are drifting away from those principles than those who say they are relevant (77% to 67%, respectively).