Poll Hub

Columbus Day has been part of American tradition for decades, but many people are beginning to see it differently. We explore how the growing recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day is changing the way Americans think about history and identity. This conversation goes beyond holidays and raises deeper questions about how a nation chooses to tell its story. Next, we turn to immigration, one of the m...

On this week’s Poll Hub:  Class in America isn’t only about money or jobs; it shapes everyday life in powerful ways. New research shows that education and income influence who people consider close friends, how often they visit public spaces like parks and libraries, and even whether they can rely on neighbors or friends in a crisis. These hidden gaps in social connection reveal how class quietly...

Free speech has long been seen as a core American value but recent events are testing just how deeply people believe in it. Following the killing of Charlie Kirk, scores of people were fired for speaking their minds -- including ABC late night comedian Jimmy Kimmel. Kimmel came back this week but big questions remain about whether the First Amendment still means protecting all kinds of speech. We’...

New York City’s mayoral race is heating up. Zohran Mamdani leads the field, but his advantage somewhat narrows in a head-to-head match-up with Andrew Cuomo. This hotly contested race highlights how voters are weighing their choices for the city’s future. Beyond the numbers, this Marist Poll of New York City also captures what New Yorkers think about the quality of life in the city and how leadersh...

The American penny is headed into the history book. The Trump Administration announced pennies will stop being minted early next year. So, we're wondering if this is the start of a much bigger transition to a coinless or even cashless society. We explore what the polling says about how often people actually use cash and whether Americans are truly ready for a digital dollar future.   A lot of Amer...

Nearly three years after ChatGPT’s debut, many students now use AI tools for schoolwork in some way, yet public opinion continues to be filled with uncertainty and skepticism. We have a student and professor to talk through AI's status in education as the school year starts. Meanwhile, the fall is also a time for sports. Youth sports are grappling with rising costs, increasingly packed schedules,...

We take a look at the bleak outlook renters have about homeownership, and which demographics feel especially unlikely to own a home. On the flip side, we also look at the association of homeownership with the American Dream. Is it still attainable? There's A LOT of doubt among young Americans.   Then, on this topic of affordability, we talk about side hustles, and how younger generations seem to b...

We track how Americans' opinions on Ukraine have shifted from Obama through Trump, then Biden, and now into Trump’s second term, where the country is deeply divided along party lines. From Crimea to sanctions to peace talks, we look at the key moments that shaped public attitudes and ask what role opinion will play in the next stage of the conflict. Then, we turn to the rise of "time poverty" with...

For centuries, America has been the land of opportunity for immigrants from every corner of the globe. But with our recent nativist turn on newcomers and America First agenda, recent polling from global surveys shows that America's beacon may be dimming in the eyes of others. We talk shifting opinions on America, and how China is benefitting. Then, we're bringing it back to local, with a discussio...

Across the world, religious shifts are happening. From people switching to new religions to those abandoning religion altogether, we have Dr. Phil Zuckerman from Pitzer College on to discuss the rise of "religious switching," and what it might mean for the future of faith. Then, in our fun fact this week, we hit the roads (and discuss who probably shouldn't be hitting the roads)!

Is your snack choice a political statement? Is your playlist partisan? We're diving into how the partisan culture war might run deeper within your everyday life than you may expect. Partisanship isn't just for politics any more! Then, we discuss real-life superheroes: parents! Do kids prefer stay-at-home parents? What about parents? We're exploring a lot of interesting data uncovering how we've mo...

As video games have become mainstream, the stigma surrounding them has faded, especially among parents. A majority now say gaming is a positive part of their kids' lives, and many are playing with their kids regularly. But that doesn't mean they aren't also setting time and content limits. Next, we explore the declining role of the "third place." Those communal spots outside work and home, like li...

With voter bases from both parties making it known that they want younger, more vibrant, and authentic elected officials, we're wondering if the reign of Boomers in American Politics is over? Well...probably not yet, but candidates like Zohran Mamdani and JD Vance might be a good place to start the conversation. Then, we examine and push back against the age-old adage that "money can't buy you hap...

In the wake of the NYC Democratic primary, where Zohran Mamdani blew out all expectations beating Andrew Cuomo largely on the strength of an historic youth turnout, we're discussing whether this race is a roadmap for Democrats or a dead end. And what about the 2024 Trump voters in NYC who chose Mamdani six months later? Are they crazy or pointing out a new political truth? Then... While the physic...

With President Trump's authorization of airstrikes on Iran last week, uncertainty is looming in the minds of many Americans. Did Trump make the right decision? Will there be retaliation stateside? We have the numbers outlining EVERYTHING that Americans think about our intervention in Iran. Then, we dive into what Americans think of Trump's immigration policies. While the President promised that he...

For our 400th episode special, we're putting our polling knowledge to the test. That's right, it's "trivia night" here at the Marist Poll! We go back in time, discussing how the Supreme Court has succeeded, and failed, to enact social change. Next, we revisit the decades-long path that marijuana has taken to social acceptance. Lastly, we quiz ourselves on the public favorability of foreign trade o...

We break down the final Marist NYC poll before the primary then dive into how Ranked Choice Voting works with expert Stephen Pettigrew from the University of Pennsylvania. He manages to make a complicated topic pretty simple! Then, Americans' trust in police has been rising for the last few years and that includes among Black Americans. The latest results are the highest in four years but, still,...

Even though inflation has slowed, many Americans still feel that the cost of living is too high. Also, views on the economy are deeply divided by political affiliation. But here's what's really perplexing: Americans have been consistently bummed about the economy since 2008 regardless of who's in charge. We're looking at the polling data to understand.   Then, J Michael Keyes is an experienced int...

Other than tariffs, Donald Trump's signature achievement of his second term has been mass deportations. Masked, badge-less agents have swept across cities and states detaining men, women, and children, shipping most off to detention centers here in the US but plenty of others have been put on planes and flown to countries near and far. There's been plenty of outcry and court action but are a major...

Religion has probably always been a part of politics, but, in modern America, it's often linked with how the Civil Rights movement was powered from the pulpit and pews and the conservative "Silent Majority" Evangelical Christian political movement that began in the 80s. There's an assumption that when preachers and other religious figures take public political positions these influence the flock....

We're diving into the final chapter of one of the most recognizable names in polling: FiveThirtyEight. @GElliottMorris joins us to break down what led to the site's closure and what it all means for people who rely on quality data. In the meantime, he's launched a Substack, Strength in Numbers , and has been writing about some notable trends, including how voters who are not very engaged with poli...

On this week's Poll Hub: Can AI really be your friend? Well, for starters, an AI friendbot will always listen and never argue with you! But there are plenty of worrisome downsides. Then, as book bans continue to spread throughout cities and states across America, we're talking to two @Marist University librarians about the notion that protecting kids from harmful material doesn't necessarily mean...

President Trump has wrapped up his second "first" 100 days, and our latest poll shows Americans are largely unimpressed. We even asked people to grade him like a student... a lot of red ink was involved. Then, rates of anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues among teens have risen dramatically, and many experts are calling it a national crisis. From social media use to post-pandemic adjustment,...

One of our favorite data minds, polling guru Harry Enten from CNN, joins us to break down what the polls really say about President Trump and his policies. Trump's approval ratings have been declining for most of his first 100 days back in office but recently it's gotten much worse. Why? And what, if anything, does it say about the next elections? Then, we've covered America's trust issues with in...

The Vietnam War ended 50 years ago with the fall of Saigon. For America, it was a bitter end to a conflict that ripped both Vietnam and America apart. So much has changed since, but long-held feelings remain. We're looking at what Americans -- most of whom were not alive or old enough to really remember -- think now. We're starting with a deep dive into our recent New York State survey in which we...