Most Voters Think America’s Divisions Cannot Be Overcome, Poll Says

Most Voters Think America’s Divisions Cannot Be Overcome, Poll Says

A new Times/Siena survey shows rising despair about unity as faith in U.S. institutions weakens

Washington, D.C. October 2025 A new New York Times/Siena College poll reveals that a majority of American voters now believe the country’s political and cultural divisions are too deep to overcome, a sobering sign that pessimism about national unity has overtaken the economy, crime, and immigration as a top voter concern.

According to the survey, 58 percent of registered voters said they do not believe the United States will “ever come together again” as one nation. Only 29 percent said unity is still possible, while the rest were unsure. The findings mark a sharp reversal from a decade ago, when most Americans expressed optimism that political differences could be bridged.

Polarization Seen as the “Real Crisis”

The poll found that concern about political division now ranks as the most pressing national issue, surpassing inflation and foreign conflicts.

“We’re watching trust collapse, in government, in media, in each other,” said Don Levy, director of the Siena College Research Institute. “Voters may disagree on policy, but they share a deep unease about whether America can function as one country.”

Respondents cited online misinformation, cable news polarization, and political extremism as the biggest drivers of division. Nearly half said they have personally lost a friendship or family relationship over politics in recent years.

A Bipartisan Sense of Fatigue

While Republicans and Democrats differ sharply on what’s to blame, both groups appear equally weary of the constant conflict.

61 percent of Democrats said they are “exhausted” by national politics.

64 percent of Republicans used the same word.

Among independents, a striking 72 percent described U.S. politics as “toxic” or “broken beyond repair.”

“It’s not that people stopped caring,” said Jennifer Lawton, a moderate voter from suburban Pennsylvania quoted in the poll. “It’s that we’ve stopped believing anyone wants to fix it.”

Declining Confidence in Institutions

The Times/Siena poll also found declining confidence in nearly every major institution:

Congress: 16 percent approval

The Presidency: 34 percent

The Supreme Court: 29 percent

News Media: 12 percent

Even the military, traditionally the most trusted institution, dropped below 50 percent approval for the first time in more than two decades.

Political scientists warn that this erosion of trust threatens democratic stability itself.

“Democracy depends on losing gracefully,” said Dr. Elaine Markowitz, a political historian at Georgetown University. “If every election feels existential, compromise becomes impossible.”

Centrist View: The Challenge of Common Purpose

From a centrist perspective, the new poll highlights not just the severity of polarization, but the need for a pragmatic middle ground that focuses on governance over grievance.

Centrists argue that both parties have incentives to inflame division, through fundraising, media exposure, or base mobilization, but that a silent majority of voters still crave competence and moderation.

“The danger isn’t that Americans disagree,” said political analyst Ron Christie, a former GOP adviser. “It’s that we’ve built an entire economy and media culture around outrage. Reversing that requires leadership that rewards cooperation, not clicks.”

A Warning for 2026

The findings come as both parties prepare for the 2026 midterms, where control of Congress will again hinge on a handful of swing districts. Pollsters say growing cynicism could suppress turnout, or, conversely, fuel support for outsider and third-party candidates.

If there is a silver lining, analysts note, it’s that a majority of Americans across party lines still express support for democracy itself and agree that violence is not an acceptable form of political expression.

“People may be losing faith in each other,” Levy said, “but they haven’t given up on the idea that democracy can work. The question is whether our leaders can catch up to that hope.”