Poll: Number of Americans identifying as Democrat the highest since 2012
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Supporters holds flags as they listen to President Biden's inauguration speech on a smartphone on Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Nathan Howard/Getty Images
More American adults identify as Democrat than Republican, according to a Gallup poll published on Wednesday.
Why it matters: "The nine-percentage-point Democratic advantage is the largest Gallup has measured since the fourth quarter of 2012," when former President Obama was re-elected, per a Gallup statement.
By the numbers: 49% of the 3,960 people aged 18 and older surveyed from January-March identified with the Democratic Party or said they're independents who lean toward the Democratic Party.
- 40% identified as Republicans or Republican leaners.
- 11% said they're independents with no partisan leanings.
Context: Gallup noted in its statement that the latest figures were measured as COVID-19 deaths and infections declined from their January peak and as President Biden was inaugurated "despite rioters' attempts on Jan. 6 to disrupt the certification of his victory in the 2020 election."
For the record: Democrats have enjoyed double-digit advantages "throughout most of 2006 through early 2009" — a period encompassing the end of former President George W. Bush's administration and Obama's first election win.
- "The party also had double-digit advantages around the time of Bill Clinton's election as president in late 1992 and early 1993," Gallup noted.
- The latest poll's margin of error was plus or minus 2 percentage points.
