Poll: Democratic voters shift toward socialism

A new CBS News YouGov poll reveals a significant ideological shift within the Democratic Party, finding that 58% of its voters now hold a favorable view of socialism, while half view capitalism negatively. These findings emerge as candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America secure primary victories ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections. The survey, conducted between August 12 and 14 with a sample of 2,287 U.S. adults and a margin of error of 2.6 percentage points, highlights a stark contrast between Democratic voters and the broader American electorate.

Among Democrats, 60% expressed a favorable opinion of socialism, with only 18% viewing it unfavorably. In contrast, just 32% of Democrats rated capitalism positively, while 50% gave it a negative rating. The divide is even more pronounced among Democrats with a college degree, where 71% favor socialism and only 16% view it unfavorably.

The general public, however, maintains a more favorable stance toward capitalism, with 46% viewing it positively compared to 35% who view it negatively. Socialism receives a negative net rating overall, with 35% favorable and 42% unfavorable among all respondents. Notably,...