Political Fatigue Is High, Yet People Report Being More Politically Engaged

In our latest Change Research national survey of 1,714 registered voters, conducted June 10-17, 2026, we asked about voters’ engagement with political news and civic life. The results paint a picture of an electorate that is frustrated with the current political climate and the options available to them, but still more engaged than they have been before.

Americans have negative attitudes towards the current political news climate, but still believe it’s important to stay engaged

Americans are exhausted by politics. They’re staying informed anyway. 77% of registered voters say that the statement, “I feel exhausted by how much is happening politically” describes them “a lot” or “somewhat.” An even larger share, 86%, indicate that the statement, “I feel like staying informed is important even when it is hard” describes them.

18-34 year olds differ notably on these metrics. They are more likely to feel exhausted by how much is happening politically (81% of 18-34 year olds say “a lot” or “somewhat,” compared to 77% overall). They are less likely to say they’ve found ways to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed (58% vs. 69% overall). However, they are still as likely as the general population to indicate that they feel like “staying informed is important even when it is hard.”

Many voters are intentionally cutting back on their political news consumption, particularly Independents

The feelings of exhaustion and being overwhelmed seem to be causing many voters to intentionally decide to consume less political news or social media. 28% of voters say they have deliberately cut back on how much political news or social media they consume in the last three months, while only 13% have deliberately increased it. Independents have been more likely to deliberately cut back on their political consumption, with 36% of them doing so. There is also a notable age and racial divide, with younger voters and voters of color more likely to report cutting back.

Americans don’t feel represented by politicians running for or holding office

Part of voters’ frustration with the current political climate may have to do with the fact that they generally don’t feel politicians actually represent them. 60% of voters say that politicians running for or holding office “Almost never” or “Rarely” actually represent their concerns. This thought is especially prevalent among Independents, with only 20% of them saying that politicians “Sometimes” or “Almost always” actually represent their concerns. Younger voters are also less likely to feel like their concerns are actually represented.

Voters report an increase in their own civic engagement

Voters report an increase in their own civic engagement. 32% of voters say they’re more engaged in civic life than they were two years ago, more than three times the 10% who say they’re less engaged. Democrats are more likely to say they are more engaged at 37%, versus just 7% saying they are less engaged than they were two years ago. In contrast, 28% of pure Independents are more engaged than they were two years ago, while 19% are less engaged. There is a notable gender gap: 36% of women say they are more civically engaged than two years ago, compared to 28% of men.