In brief
The AP-NORC poll shows that while nearly 40% of U.S. adults are concerned about political violence, younger individuals exhibit much lower levels of anxiety compared to their elders. The data highlights marked partisan divides, with each side more concerned about violence against their own political figures. Additionally, concerns about threats to free speech vary widely across age groups. The findings underscore ongoing tensions reflective of the current political climate.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A recent AP-NORC poll shows that amid a tumultuous political climate, younger Americans express significantly lower concerns about political violence compared to older generations. This trend coincides with recent high-profile acts of violence against political figures, including conservative activist Charlie Kirk and Minnesota Democratic legislators.
Approximately four in ten adults in the U.S. report being concerned about political violence, yet younger adults, particularly those under 30, show a markedly lower level of anxiety about such issues. The poll reveals that about 44% of adults are extremely or very concerned about violence towards conservatives and 41% for liberals, but this concern is greatly diminished in younger demographics.
Older adults, particularly those aged 60 and above, are far more worried, with half expressing high concern for violence aimed at either political side. In contrast, only about three in ten of those under 30 demonstrate the same level of concern.
When asked about fundamental rights, the poll indicates that U.S. adults overwhelmingly perceive freedom of speech and press as majorly threatened. Notably, younger Americans recognize these threats but may not personally feel them as acutely as older adults do.
Partisan concerns are also stark; nearly 60% of Republicans are very concerned about violence against conservatives, while 60% of Democrats feel the same about violence against liberals. Independents appear less affected, with only a quarter expressing heightened concerns about political violence overall.
The poll's findings prompt reflection on the growing divide across age and political lines, suggesting a complex landscape where younger individuals may not feel the urgency of these issues as profoundly as their elders.
This survey involved 1,289 adults and was conducted from October 9-13, 2023. The margin of sampling error is ±3.8 percentage points.
