Americans report more political activism, but most fear unity is 'impossible': poll

More than a quarter of Americans say they are more politically active now than they were two years ago, yet a majority say they are concerned that unity is impossible in the United States, according to a poll released Wednesday by Summit Ministries and McLaughlin & Associates.

While 16% of respondents said they are "less involved" in civic engagement than two years ago, 27% said they are "more involved."

Most voters (81%) said they are involved in civic engagement because they think it makes a difference.

The survey showed that Democrats are slightly more likely to say they are politically engaged than Republicans, but they are less likely to say that they vote. While 85% of GOP voters said they are engaged, 87% of Democratic voters said they are. However, 71% of Republicans said they vote in political elections, and 29% said they vote in school board elections. Two-thirds (66%) of Democratic respondents said they vote in political elections and 27% said they vote in school board elections.

As reported political involvement is increasing, most respondents (82%) said they are concerned that unity is impossible in the United States.

"This stunning data reveals that — while almost all Americans say that unity in our nation is beyond repair — there is still a huge surge in civic involvement despite that pessimism," Dr. Jeff Myers, President of Summit.org said in a press release. "People believe their involvement is making a real difference. Americans are still fighting for the country and hoping they can realize a better future.

"In the crosstabs, we find that conservatives are more civically active in voting, both in elections generally and in local issues such as school boards, while progressives are far ahead in actual activism. Progressives are more likely to attend rallies and events, get active in campaigns, and support organizations they believe in."