Leadership Conference Poll: 54 Percent Fear America Is on the Path to Another Civil War, 53 Percent Think Democracy May Be Done in Four to Five Years

Leadership Conference Resources 10.13.22

Maya Wiley: “This poll confirms that voters are worried the cracks in our democracy are taking us down a dark path”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dena Craig, [email protected]

WASHINGTON – A new national poll commissioned by The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and conducted by brilliant corners Research and Strategies has found that ahead of the 2022 midterm election, strong majorities of likely voters, across the political spectrum and across race and gender, believe our democracy is under threat and fear it may not exist in five years, fear that we could be on the pathway to civil war and are concerned about the prevalence of racial discrimination in society. The national poll of 1,003 likely voters is the first commissioned on this topic by The Leadership Conference and comes at a time when the pillars of our democratic society are under constant attack.

Topline Points

  • Seventy-eight percent of voters believe American democracy is under major threat now;
  • Fifty-three percent believe in the next four to five years America may no longer be a democracy;
  • Sixty-two percent believe racism against Black people is a big problem in today’s society;
  • Sixty-nine percent of those polled are dissatisfied with the direction in which the country is headed;
  • Fifty-four percent fear America is on the path to another civil war.

Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference said: “Voters across the country are very worried about the strength and resilience of our democracy — so much so that they are afraid we may be on the pathway to another civil war or that in five years we may no longer be a democracy. This poll confirms that voters are worried the cracks in our democracy are taking us down a dark path. While there is lots to be worried about in this poll, we also found some hope: people recognize we’re stronger together. We know that a country that protects and advances rights is a stronger democracy. To the politicians who oppose sensible policy solutions because of those who would stoke fear, our research shows an American public that is still pro-civil rights and favors sound policies. We save our democracy by saving our rights and freedoms across all our communities. If America is a great experiment, this is a time when we are being tested, but freedom will ultimately prevail.”

Overall Takeaways from the Civil Rights Monitor Survey

Voters are worried about the state of our country and our democracy.

  • Sixty-nine percent are dissatisfied with the direction in which the country is headed.
  • Seventy-eight percent believe American democracy is under threat now.
  • Fifty-three percent fear that in the next four to five years America may no longer be a democracy.
  • Fifty-four percent fear America is on the path to another civil war.

Voters want the government to take action to protect their civil and human rights.

  • Sixty-six percent believe the government should do more to lessen racial inequality in society.
  • Fifty-five percent believe the government should do more to lessen income inequality in society.
  • Seventy-three percent believe the government must do more to protect the civil and human rights of
    minorities.
  • Sixty-seven percent believe gay marriage should be a legally protected right in this country.
  • Sixty-two percent believe abortion access should be a legally protected right in this country.

Racial discrimination is a big issue for voters.

  • Sixty-two percent believe racism against Black people is a big problem in today’s society.
  • Sixty-two percent believe the government must do more to protect the civil and human rights of Black
    Americans.
  • Sixty-three percent believe immigrants contribute more to America than they take.
  • Fifty-one percent believe race relations in America are is getting worse.

This is a national survey of 1,003 likely voters. The survey was conducted by phone from September 1 to September 6, 2022. The margin of error overall is +/ 3.1 percent, with a 95 percent confidence interval.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 230 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.