By Stephen Clermont, Head of Polling
A Change Research Compass Poll of 2,244 registered voters nationwide, conducted May 5 to 10, 2026, finds that among voters who have not firmly committed to either party, 78% rated Democrats unfavorably at the time of the survey and 73% rated Republicans unfavorably. This analysis focuses on what we call Movable voters — roughly half of the electorate who have not firmly committed to supporting one party or the other.
A Change Research Compass Poll of 2,244 registered voters nationwide, conducted May 5 to 10, 2026, finds deep frustrations with both political parties among “movable” voters who either 1) are undecided in the race for US House, 2) only somewhat disapprove of the job President Trump is doing or are unsure, or 3) hold unfavorable views of both parties. These voters make up nearly a third (31%) of the electorate. Their frustrations are wide-ranging and don’t fall into one simple narrative where, if the parties focused on just that, all problems would be solved.
Democratic Party Frustrations
Spine and Fight
The most frequently cited frustration about the Democratic Party is a perceived lack of fight. Voters across demographic groups describe the party as passive and timid, operating by norms they say the Republican Party abandoned long ago.
“Do-nothing democrats! They can’t take a stand against republicans and are complacent. I want a Democratic Party who will fight for me.” – Hispanic/Latina Woman, 18 to 34, Democrat
“Democrats are weak and still operate as if it’s 20 years ago. They need to be tougher, louder, and push back way more.” White Man, 35 to 49, Democrat
“Democrats are too timid to make a stand and only do so after being yelled at and primaried by constituents.” Black/African American Man, 18 to 34, Democrat
“The majority of the Democrats have no backbone and don’t stand up for the injustices we suffer. They talk a good game but they’re just as bad as many of their colleagues.” – Black/African American Woman, 65+, Democrat
Ideological Direction
A competing frustration runs in the opposite direction. Some voters say the Democratic party has drifted too far left and lost touch with the mainstream, focusing on fringe positions while working- and middle-class economic concerns go unaddressed. Both camps exist within this same group of persuadable voters.
“Cares more about identity politics than actually improving the lives of Americans.” – White Man, 18 to 34, Independent
“They focus on identity politics and don’t listen to low income citizens and have this obnoxious savior complex.” – Hispanic/Latina Woman, 35 to 49, Democrat
“Forgetting about the middle class and how unaffordable life is, focusing on too many social issues, becoming self serving.” – Hispanic/Latina Woman, 18 to 34, Democrat
Promises and Follow-Through
A third recurring theme is a credibility gap between what Democrats promise on the campaign trail and what they deliver in office. These respondents do not describe a lack of ideas; they describe a pattern of rhetoric that fails to produce results.
“They promise everything to the common man and when they win, they just maintain the status quo.” – White Man, 18 to 34, Independent
“They talk a good game but never deliver. They play by rules the other party doesn’t play by anymore. They let decorum get in the way of helping people.” – Hispanic/Latino Man, 35 to 49, Democrat
Candidates and Leadership
A related set of responses focuses on candidate quality and party leadership. Some voters describe a party that protects incumbents, sidelines stronger alternatives, and does not reflect the people it claims to represent.
“Gerontocracy, beholden to elite financial interests, entrenched corrupt leadership that disrespects progressives and younger candidates.” – Black/African American Man, 65+, Democrat
“They torpedo their own best candidates because they are scared of actually giving people what they need.” – Hispanic/Latina Woman, 35 to 49, Democrat
“Absolute incompetence and inability to bring forth a candidate that won’t throw an election in the garbage.” – Hispanic/Latino Man, 18 to 34, Republican
Republican Party Frustrations
Trump and Party Identity
The most frequently cited frustration about the Republican Party among persuadable voters is the party’s relationship with President Trump. Respondents from across the political spectrum describe a party that has traded independent judgment for personal loyalty to one figure.
“How they always seem to bow down to Trump on every single issue.” – White Man, 18 to 34, Independent
“Congress, even with its Republican majority, is completely feckless and impotent, surrendering all of its power to Trump’s whim. Few Republicans in Congress have ever expressed a thought independent of Trump.” – American Indian/Alaska Native Woman, 35 to 49, Independent
Economic Priorities
A populist economic strain runs through frustrations with the Republican Party, and it crosses party lines. Voters describe a party that governs primarily for the wealthy and for corporations, while cutting programs that ordinary Americans rely on.
“A complete lack of care for the common man. The Republican party only serves billionaires.” – White Woman, 50 to 64, Democrat
“A vast majority of them take too much lobby money to vote in favor of corporate interests instead of their constituents.” – White Woman, 35 to 49, Republican
Hypocrisy and Broken Promises
Several voters point to a gap between the Republican Party’s identity as the party of fiscal conservatism and its governing record. This theme surfaces among both Republican-leaning and Democratic-leaning respondents.
“Hypocrisy. They claim to be the party of fiscal conservatism and yet outspend the democrats every chance they get. They get majorities and then do nothing with them but increase the deficit.” – White Man, 35 to 49, Republican
“Trump hasn’t kept any of his campaign promises and he’s getting our military killed for NOTHING.” – White Woman, 65+, Republican
Rights and Foreign Policy
Among a portion of voters, frustrations center on civil and reproductive rights and on the party’s approach to foreign policy, including the war with Iran.
“The Christian Nationalism. There should be a separation of church and state, as intended when this country was founded.” – White Woman, 35 to 49, Democrat
“Israel-First policies, Iran War, and not following through on domestic promises.” – White Woman, 35 to 49, Republican
Intraparty Unity
Not all frustrations with Republicans come from the left. Some right-leaning voters in this group express frustration in the opposite direction: not that the party is too loyal to Trump, but that moderate Republicans have blocked his agenda from moving forward.
“Every time they are voted in as the majority party they act scared and refuse to do what they promised to do.” – White Man, 50 to 64, Republican
“They have to many RINOs that block votes and the leadership won’t take the steps to move legislation forward.” – American Indian/Alaska Native Man, 50 to 64, Republican
A Divided Persuadable Electorate
The responses above reflect an electorate that has not made up its mind, and holds contradictory demands of both parties. On the Democratic side, some voters are frustrated the party does not fight hard enough. Others, in the same group of persuadable voters, say the party has gone too far left. At some point, party leaders and activists will have to choose definitively either to focus on lack of fight without worrying about ideological perceptions or the other way around. Doing nothing will only exacerbate both frustrations with voters who are up for grabs.
On the Republican side, some say the party is too beholden to Trump. Others, also persuadable, are frustrated that elected Republicans have not done more to advance his agenda. This highlights how central 80 year-old Donald Trump is to the identity of the party in the present and future at a time when he is deeply unpopular outside of his base and will never be on the ballot again.
The May 2026 Compass Poll surveyed 2,244 registered voters from May 5 to 10, 2026, with a modeled margin of error of ±2.4%. Open-ended responses cited here are drawn from Movable voters, defined as registered voters outside the strongly committed Brick Wall segment of the electorate. Findings from open-ended data are directional and illustrate recurring themes within this segment.
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