Poll Hub

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Each week, Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what survey really show, and what the numbers actually mean. Poll Hub is produced by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, home of America’s leading independent university public opinion poll, the Marist Poll. Lee Miringoff (Director of MIPO), Barbara Carvalho (Director of the Marist Poll), Jay DeDapper (Director of Strategy + Innovation), Mary Griffith (Associate Director), and frequent expert guests, dig deep to give you a look at the inner workings of polls and what they tell us about our world, our country, and ourselves.

  1. Pure Politics Redistricting

    6 DAYS AGO

    Pure Politics Redistricting

    Americans overwhelmingly oppose partisan gerrymandering in principle, with large bipartisan majorities saying congressional maps should not be drawn to favor one party and strongly supporting independent commissions over politicians controlling the process. However, attitudes become more partisan in practice, as many Democrats and Republicans support gerrymandering when it benefits their own side, revealing a tension between support for fairness and political self-interest, even as majorities say partisan redistricting is bad for democracy. Then, Americans spent a record $104.7 billion on lottery tickets in 2024, nearly double what they spent in 2008, and the growth has been nearly uninterrupted for over a decade. The most common form of play is the scratch-off ticket, purchased by more than a third of American adults in the past year, followed closely by jackpot games like Powerball and Mega Millions. The median gambler wagers just $120 a year, but a small share of heavy players pulls the average to over $1,000, suggesting that for most Americans, lottery play is a modest, recurring habit rather than a serious financial strategy. States collect the difference between what players spend and what they win, directing those proceeds, now $34.5 billion annually, toward education, infrastructure, and public services. The lottery, in other words, is simultaneously one of the country's most popular forms of entertainment and one of its least examined public finance mechanisms. Most players lose. Most states depend on them doing so. Finally, a fun fact for the unofficial start of summer this long holiday weekend. A question about vacations that leaves us a little confused about the answers offered.

    24 min
  2. The Bi-Partisan Billionaire Backlash

    14 MAY

    The Bi-Partisan Billionaire Backlash

    This week, we’re taking a closer look at one of the few issues that appears to unite Americans across the political spectrum: concern about money in politics. From campaign spending and lobbying to billionaire influence and “dark money,” recent polling suggests large majorities of Americans believe wealth and special interests now hold too much power in shaping elections and political decision-making. Many also say the current system weakens democracy and creates the appearance of corruption, concerns that cut across party lines. At the same time, campaign finance reform has historically struggled to become a top public priority, even as election spending continues to reach record highs. In this segment, we break down what Americans think about the role of money in politics, why these concerns have become so widespread, and what they reveal about trust in the political system today. We’re also examining how pets are increasingly becoming central to American family life. Pet ownership has reached record levels in the United States, and nearly all pet owners now describe their animals as part of the family. For many younger Americans especially, pets are not just companions but emotional anchors, sources of stability, and in some cases even substitutes for traditional milestones like marriage or parenthood. At the same time, the share of households with children continues to decline, while spending on pets continues to rise. In this segment, we explore what these changing attitudes toward pets reveal about shifting ideas surrounding family, adulthood, caregiving, and modern American life. And finally, for our fun fact we are breaking down our dreams. Do you remember the details, the vibes, or nothing at all?

    30 min
  3. What Are We Thinking?

    8 MAY

    What Are We Thinking?

    This week, we're breaking down our new national poll conducted with NPR and PBS News. President Donald Trump's job approval rating remains in the high 30s, with Americans' concerns cutting across multiple issues. Domestically, affordability remains a worry, and many say the economy is not working well for them personally. At the same time, views on foreign policy are also shaping public opinion, with a majority believing the United States’ position on the world stage has weakened. More than six in ten also say recent military action in Iran has done more harm than good. In this segment, we break down how these concerns connect, what they reveal about the current public mood, and their implications for the midterm elections. We also zoom out to examine how Americans’ perceptions of the economy have evolved over the past year. What started in 2025 as growing worry about the cost of living has gradually turned into a broader sense of economic frustration. Over time, more Americans have come to feel that the economy is falling short in meeting their needs. By early 2026, concern about inflation had expanded across party lines. The data suggest that people are judging the economy less by traditional indicators and more by their day-to-day financial reality, whether they can keep up with rising prices and cover their monthly expenses. On both fronts, sentiment has clearly declined. And, lastly, is age just a number? We are discussing the youthful age of 75.

    31 min
  4. Political Violence on the Rise

    1 MAY

    Political Violence on the Rise

    On this week’s Poll Hub: After the recent shooting tied to the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, we take a step back to look at how Americans are responding to the broader issue of political violence. New polling shows widespread concern that this type of violence is on the rise, but also a growing willingness among some to see it as justified in certain situations. We unpack what’s behind this shift, including generational divides, rising polarization, and how today’s political rhetoric may be shaping the way people think about conflict and accountability. We also explore how public opinion around energy is becoming more complicated. While many Americans say they support expanding cleaner energy sources, those views are far from uniform and often shift depending on how the issue is framed. When questions turn to tradeoffs and affordability, support can become more uncertain. Additionally, political polarization seems to play an even larger role in this issue now. We break down how these mixed attitudes highlight a broader tension between long-term environmental goals and short-term practical concerns. Finally, our fun fact has us debating whether range anxiety is enough to keep people from buying an EV, or whether hybrids are a safer compromise.

    37 min
  5. MAHA's Moment

    24 APR

    MAHA's Moment

    On this week’s Poll Hub: We open with a deep dive into the Make America Healthy Again”(MAHA) initiative and how it’s landing with the public. At a surface level, many Americans are on board with the idea of improving overall health across the country. But that broad agreement doesn’t always translate into strong alignment with the movement itself. In fact, when people hear more detailed explanations of the policies tied to MAHA, their reactions often become more mixed. In this segment, we look at what this disconnect tells us about how Americans process health-related proposals, the role politics plays in shaping opinion, and how messaging can influence support. From there, we shift to concerns surrounding drinking water and how Americans navigate choices between tap and bottled options. With water contamination topping the list of environmental worries nationwide, many individuals turn to bottled water as a perceived safer option. At the same time, there is widespread awareness of, and concern about, the environmental consequences of plastic waste. This creates a clear tension between what people value environmentally and the choices they make in their daily lives. We break down what the numbers say about public confidence in water systems, consumption patterns, and the broader environmental implications. To wrap things up, we end on a lighter note with a fun fact focused on how frequently Americans are grabbing fast food, and what that trend might reveal about everyday routines and habits. Particularly how definitions of fast food have changed since the 70s. maristpoll.com/podcast

    37 min
  6. Shifting Beliefs, Shifting Democracy

    17 APR

    Shifting Beliefs, Shifting Democracy

    This week on Poll Hub, we explore how beliefs, values, and identity are shaped and reshaped across generations in American life. Drawing on new data from the Pew Research Center, the conversation looks at how many Americans were raised with strong religious identities and consistent practices, yet far fewer maintain those same levels of engagement in adulthood. We examine what drives this shift —from changes in family structure and upbringing to broader cultural influences —and consider how early experiences—whether religious or secular—continue to shape people’s sense of meaning, belonging, and identity over time. Marist Lecturer in Religious Studies Dr. Brian Loh joins us to help unpack these trends and what they reveal about generational change. We then turn to the evolving role of social media in American democracy, where new research highlights a striking tension. While heavy social media users are more likely to feel politically empowered and believe their participation can make a difference, they are also less likely to say democracy is the best form of government. Using findings from Gallup, the Kettering Foundation, and Pew Research, we explore how increased connectivity may be boosting engagement while simultaneously contributing to declining trust in institutions. Together, these conversations point to a broader story about change in how Americans engage with both personal belief systems and public institutions. As traditional structures evolve and new forms of connection take their place, the ways people understand their identities and their role in democracy are shifting in complex and sometimes contradictory ways. Listen here: maristpoll.com/podcast

    33 min
  7. Mamdani's Moment

    10 APR

    Mamdani's Moment

    This week on Poll Hub, we take a closer look at where Mayor Zohran Mamdani stands after his first 100 days in office, based on the latest Marist Poll data. The numbers point to a noticeable shift in public mood: a plurality of New York City residents approve of the job he’s doing, and for the first time in months, more than half of residents say the city is moving in the right direction. That marks a meaningful change from earlier polling trends. Beyond the topline numbers, voters are also forming clear impressions of his leadership style. Many describe Mamdani as hard working and perceive him to be caring and trying to unify the city. Still, the discussion goes deeper than personal traits. We also explore how his early performance compares with previous mayors at similar points in their administrations, offering a broader sense of historical context. In addition, this week features a spotlight on new work coming out of Marist’s Center for Sports Communication. Their newest podcast, Point Taken, is another Marist student featured podcast, and we speak with Center Director Andrew Elrick about its launch, goals, and early reception. Listen here: maristpoll.com/podcast

    32 min
  8. Financial Trust and Foreign Tensions

    3 APR

    Financial Trust and Foreign Tensions

    On this week’s Poll Hub, We start by unpacking a new Gallup survey that points to a notable global rebound in trust in banks and other financial institutions. While the United States is moving in the same upward direction, it still trails many other countries when it comes to public confidence. We take a closer look at why trust remains more fragile at home, exploring the lingering effects of past financial crises, differences in regulation, and what this gap could mean for the broader economy moving forward. Then, we turn to a deeper dive into American public opinion on Iran. From the days of the Shah and the Iranian Revolution, through decades of diplomatic strain and periodic conflict, to today’s complex geopolitical landscape, we look at how perceptions have shifted over time. Using historical polling data, we examine how moments of tension, diplomacy, and uncertainty have shaped the way Americans view Iran and what that tells us about public opinion during times of international conflict. Finally, we wrap things up on a lighter note with a fun fact that sparks a debate over just how violent different sports really are. This discussion might challenge some of your assumptions! Listen now at Marist Poll: maristpoll.com/podcast

    31 min
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About

Each week, Poll Hub goes behind the science to explain how polling works, what survey really show, and what the numbers actually mean. Poll Hub is produced by the Marist Institute for Public Opinion, home of America’s leading independent university public opinion poll, the Marist Poll. Lee Miringoff (Director of MIPO), Barbara Carvalho (Director of the Marist Poll), Jay DeDapper (Director of Strategy + Innovation), Mary Griffith (Associate Director), and frequent expert guests, dig deep to give you a look at the inner workings of polls and what they tell us about our world, our country, and ourselves.

Information

  • Creator
    Marist Poll
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    447
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2017-2026, Marist Poll
  • Show Website
    Poll Hub

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