Voters split on whether democracy, economy is bigger concern in 2024

Political voters are likely to be divided over whether having a strong economy or a functioning democracy is a greater concern in the coming years, according to a new report. CBS/YouGov poll.

Fifty percent of voters surveyed said their greater concern was that the economy was doing well, and half said their greater concern was that their democracy was functioning.

By party, 64% of Democratic voters said a functioning democracy was a bigger concern, and 36% said a strong economy was a bigger concern. Among Republican voters, 35% said a functioning democracy was a greater concern, and 65% said a strong economy was a greater concern.

Independents are split near the center, with 52% saying a functioning democracy is a bigger concern and 48% saying a strong economy.

Of the age groups surveyed, those under 64 were slightly more likely to be primarily concerned about the economic upturn, with 56% of respondents under 30 and 56% of respondents between 30 and 64. 54% chose the economy. However, only 39% of people over 65 say a strong economy is their bigger concern, and 61% say a functioning democracy is a bigger concern. I answered yes.

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A Quinnipiac poll released last June found that registered voters' top concerns when deciding who to support in the 2024 presidential election were the economy and preserving democracy.

The new CBS/YouGov poll was conducted just before the Republican primary officially begins with the Iowa caucuses on Monday. There, primary candidates are vying to secure support in the first states of the election cycle.

The poll was conducted among 2,870 U.S. adults from January 10 to 12, 2024, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.