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Aug 05, 2026

CNN: Growing Number of Democrat Voters Now Identify As Socialists

The Democrat Party is undergoing a fundamental transformation that could have a profound effect on the future of America.

An alarming number of the party’s voters are moving to the exteme left, and it’s not yet clear that current Democrat leaders know how to respond.

Roughly one-third of Democrats and Democratic-leaning adults identify as democratic socialists, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS.

The survey found that while these voters remain among the Democratic Party’s most loyal supporters, many also favor significant changes within the party as democratic socialist candidates continue to gain traction in elections.

Following New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s victory over former Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo last year, several candidates identifying as democratic socialists have won party nominations in U.S. House races, including successful primary challenges against incumbent Reps. Adriano Espaillat of New York and Diana DeGette of Colorado.

Upcoming primary electio

ns will test whether the momentum behind democratic socialist candidates can extend beyond traditionally Democratic strongholds.

In Wisconsin, for example, recent polling in the Democratic gubernatorial primary found democratic socialist Francesca Hong leading the field in the closely watched battleground state, offering an early measure of the movement’s broader electoral appeal.

So, who makes up the socialist-leaning Democrat voters? CNN’s survey

  • Tend to be younger (59% are younger than 45, compared to 46% of non-democratic socialists aligned with the Democratic Party) and are more likely to be White (57% to 49%)

  • Are less likely to have a college degree (66% to 54%) and more likely to earn less than $100,000 a year (76% to 65%)

  • Are more likely to say they are extremely motivated to vote this year (66% of those who are registered voters say so, compared to 57% for non-democratic socialists), though both groups overwhelmingly support Democratic congressional candidates (99% of democratic socialists and 94% of non-democratic socialists)

  • Are more positive toward the Democratic Party. They are more likely to hold favorable views of the Democratic Party (68% to 60%) and its congressional leaders, and more likely to have negative views of the Republican Party and its congressional leaders

Democratic socialists are about as likely as other Democratic-leaning Americans to believe the Democratic Party needs either major reforms or a complete overhaul.

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