In an effort to better understand Americans’ knowledge of and perceptions about the United States Senate, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate partnered with leading Republican and Democratic polling firms Public Opinion Strategies and Hart Research Associates to conduct a bipartisan national survey assessing how voters think elected leaders can make Congress work better, the issues voters want Senators to prioritize, and voters’ levels of civic engagement.
The survey results demonstrate a disconnect between voters and the U.S. senators who represent them. Voters express dissatisfaction with the performance of Congress and want senators who are responsive to the people they represent. At the same time, the data points to an American electorate that lacks basic knowledge about our political system. CONT.
Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate