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Is Democracy In The U.S. Working? It's A Toss-Up, But Voters Don't See It Ending In Their Lifetimes, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; 51% Support House Bill That Could Lead To TikTok Ban, 2024 Race: Biden vs. Trump Too-Close-To-Call

Voters are divided on whether they think the system of democracy in the United States is working, as 46 percent say it is working and 49 percent say it is not working, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University national poll of registered voters released today.

There are big differences along party lines.

Democrats 66 - 31 percent think the system of democracy in the U.S. is working, while Republicans 62 - 33 percent think it is not working. Independents are split, with 45 percent thinking it is working and 49 percent thinking it is not working.

When voters were asked whether they think democracy in the United States will end in their lifetimes, voters 68 - 21 percent think that it will not end in their lifetimes.

"Yes, the underpinnings of democracy appear shaky and threatened, but will they give way? Voters across the board say: 'not in my lifetime,'" said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.

When asked who they think is better suited to preserve democracy in the United States, 48 percent of voters think President Joe Biden and 44 percent think former President Donald Trump.

2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

In a head-to-head presidential election matchup, 48 percent of voters support President Joe Biden and 45 percent support former President Donald Trump. This is virtually unchanged from Quinnipiac University's February 21 poll.

When the matchup is expanded to include independent and Green Party candidates, Trump receives 39 percent support, Biden receives 38 percent support, independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. receives 13 percent support, Green Party candidate Jill Stein receives 4 percent support, and independent candidate Cornel West receives 3 percent support.

There is no clear leader in either of these matchups because the leads are within the margin of error.

"Way too close to call on the head-to-head and even closer when third party candidates are counted. The backstretch is months away and this is about as close as it can get," added Malloy.

TRUMP CRIMINAL TRIAL

Voters were asked how it would impact their vote if Donald Trump were convicted in the criminal trial in New York City where he stands accused of falsifying business records, including a hush money payment to an adult film actress. If Trump were convicted, 29 percent say they would be less likely to vote for him, 55 percent say it would not make a difference, and 12 percent say they would be more likely to vote for him.

Ten percent of Trump voters say if he were convicted they would be less likely to vote for him, 62 percent say it would not make a difference to their vote, and 26 percent say they would be more likely to vote for him.

BIDEN JOB APPROVAL

Voters give President Biden a negative 37 - 59 percent job approval rating, compared to a negative 40 - 57 percent job approval rating in Quinnipiac University's February 21 poll.

MOST URGENT ISSUE

Given a list of 10 issues and asked which is the most urgent one facing the country today, immigration (26 percent) ranks first among voters followed by the economy (20 percent) and preserving democracy in the United States (18 percent). No other issue reached double digits. This marks the first time that immigration has ranked as the top issue in this election cycle.

Among Republicans, the top issue is immigration (52 percent) followed by the economy (27 percent), with no other issue reaching double digits.

Among Democrats, the top issue is preserving democracy in the United States (32 percent) followed by climate change (11 percent) and gun violence (11 percent).

Among independents, the top issues are the economy (23 percent), immigration (23 percent) and preserving democracy in the United States (19 percent).

HAITIAN REFUGEES

Voters were asked about Haiti, which is in the midst of a violent takeover by gangs. A majority (55 percent) say if Haitians flee to seek safety and attempt to reach U.S. shores, the United States should provide safe haven for these refugees, while 36 percent say the United States should not.

"While the border crisis pushes immigration past the economy and preserving democracy to the top of the greatest concern list, there is still considerable empathy for those who may represent the next wave of refugees, the Haitians," added Malloy.

SUPREME COURT

Voters give the United States Supreme Court a negative 34 - 58 percent job approval rating, compared to a negative 36 - 56 percent job approval rating the High Court received in Quinnipiac University's July 2023 poll.

Seven out of 10 voters (70 percent) say it should be possible to charge a former president with a federal crime for alleged crimes committed while in office, while 24 percent say it should not be possible.

Democrats (94 - 4 percent) and independents (74 - 21 percent) say it should be possible to charge a former president with a federal crime for alleged crimes committed while in office. Republicans are divided, with 44 percent saying it should be possible and 47 percent saying it should not be possible.

Among Trump voters, 42 percent say it should be possible to charge a former president with a federal crime for alleged crimes committed while in office and 48 percent say it should not be possible.

TIKTOK

A plurality of voters (47 percent) oppose a national ban of TikTok, while 41 percent support it.

Voters 18 to 34 years old, who are more inclined to use the social media app, (71 - 26 percent) oppose a national ban of TikTok.

However, a slight majority of voters (51 percent) support legislation recently approved by the U.S. House of Representatives meant to ban TikTok if the Chinese technology company that owns it does not sell it to a buyer from the United States or another U.S. ally, while 40 percent oppose this legislation.

Voters 18 to 34 years old (60 - 35 percent) oppose this legislation.

"The kids may be TikTok's most rabid clients, but the security minded adults in the room say with the wrong government in control of content, it's definitely not all fun and games," added Malloy.

Roughly three-quarters of voters (74 percent) are either very concerned (45 percent) or somewhat concerned (29 percent) that there is potential for a foreign government to have easy access to users' information on TikTok, while 23 percent are either not so concerned (12 percent) or not concerned at all (11 percent).

Among voters 18 to 34 years old, a majority (53 percent) are either very concerned (20 percent) or somewhat concerned (33 percent) that there is potential for a foreign government to have easy access to users' information on TikTok, while 48 percent are either not so concerned (30 percent) or not concerned at all (18 percent).

UKRAINE

Voters 52 - 43 percent support the United States sending more military aid to Ukraine for their efforts in the war with Russia.

Thirty-seven percent of voters think the United States is doing too much to help Ukraine, 29 percent think the U.S. is doing too little, and 28 percent think the U.S. is doing about the right amount to help Ukraine.

ISRAEL & GAZA

Voters 52 - 39 percent oppose the United States sending more military aid to Israel for their efforts in the war with Hamas.

When it comes to the relationship between the United States and Israel, 33 percent of voters think the U.S. is too supportive of Israel, while 21 percent think the U.S. is not supportive enough of Israel, and 37 percent think the U.S. support of Israel is about right.

Forty-three percent of voters think the United States is doing too little to provide humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, while 14 percent think the U.S. is doing too much, and 30 percent think the U.S. is doing about the right amount.

VLADIMIR PUTIN

Roughly three-quarters of voters (76 percent) think that it is a bad thing for the world that Vladimir Putin will serve another term as Russia's president and will be in office for another six years, while 11 percent think it is a good thing for the world, and 13 percent did not offer an opinion.

Democrats (93 - 2 percent), independents (77 - 9 percent), and Republicans (63 - 22 percent) think it is a bad thing for the world.

1,407 self-identified registered voters nationwide were surveyed from March 21st - 25th with a margin of error of +/- 2.6 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Doug Schwartz, Ph.D. since 1994, conducts independent, non-partisan national and state polls on politics and issues. Surveys adhere to industry best practices and are based on random samples of adults using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones.

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