Democracy Messaging Falls Flat With Working-Class Voters, Survey Finds

A July 29, 2026, NPR report surveyed over 5,000 Americans. "Resisting authoritarianism" ranked 19th of 20 priorities for working-class voters but 2nd for liberal college graduates — the widest gap of any issue tested. Authors Joan C. Williams and Jared Abbott said Democrats should shift from democracy-focused messaging toward economic populism to win back working-class support.