WASHINGTON, D.C. — A 2026 national survey indicated that while a majority of U.S. adults consider it important to be informed about major civic issues, fewer report feeling well-informed. The survey, conducted from March 6 to 9, 2026, included 1,031 U.S. adults.
Healthcare and voting processes were among the topics deemed important by respondents. Eighty-two percent of respondents stated that it is extremely or very important to stay informed about the healthcare system, while 34% reported feeling extremely or very informed on the topic. Similarly, 82% found it important to be informed about voting and election processes, but only 50% felt highly informed.
Regarding presidential powers and limits, 80% said it is extremely or very important to stay informed, while 36% felt highly informed. For immigration and citizenship policies, 76% considered it important to be informed, with 39% feeling highly informed. Economic and tax policies were seen as important by 75% of respondents, with 24% highly informed, and 72% considered Social Security important, with 31% highly informed.
Regarding U.S. foreign policy, 71% found it important to be informed, while 23% felt highly informed. Gun regulation was deemed important by 69%, with 33% reporting being highly informed. An equal percentage, 69%, stated importance for childhood vaccine policies, and 31% indicated they were highly informed on this issue. Federal regulation of technology and media companies was important to 52% of respondents, but only 15% felt highly informed. Marijuana regulation was considered important by 31%, with 23% feeling highly informed.
The survey also showed demographic differences in perceived importance and informed status. Older adults were more likely than younger adults to say staying informed on news topics is important and to report feeling highly informed. Political affiliation showed variations, with 88% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents stating it is important to understand presidential powers and limits, compared to 74% of Republicans and GOP leaners. For childhood vaccine policies, 73% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents reported importance, versus 65% of Republicans and GOP leaners.
Republicans were more likely than Democrats to report being highly informed on certain subjects. Fifty-four percent of Republicans stated they were highly informed about voting and election processes, compared to 46% of Democrats. Forty-four percent of Republicans reported being highly informed about immigration policies, while 35% of Democrats did. On gun regulation, 39% of Republicans felt highly informed, compared to 26% of Democrats.
News media served as the primary information source for a plurality of respondents regarding U.S. foreign policy and immigration policies. Government sources were cited by many respondents as a primary information source for Social Security and voting processes. Young adults were more likely than older adults to identify social media as a main source for news topics. School or formal education was identified by 18% of respondents as their main source for information about presidential power limits.