OpenCampaign

Democracy

National democracy and polarization concerns

Surveys and democracy reports highlight high public worry about the state of U.S. democracy, government corruption, and polarization. These national dynamics shape Hawaii voters’ midterm choices and confidence in institutions even when local races are the ballot focus.

What should be Hawaii’s priority regarding democracy and polarization concerns?

How important is this to you?

Sources

Yale Program on Climate Change Communication — https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/top-public-worries-in-the-u-s
Liberal Democrats report the highest levels of overall concern, with 81% very worried about the state of democracy in the U.S. and 77% about government corruption.
Freedom House — https://freedomhouse.org/country/united-states/freedom-world/2026
Violence and intimidation have become more common tools of political influence in recent years.
Freedom House — https://freedomhouse.org/country/united-states/freedom-world/2026
Political polarization and related dysfunction in Congress has had a negative impact on the transparency of the legislative process in recent years.
Positions on this issue  ·  liberal → conservative
  1. Expand voting rights, curb money in politics, and prosecute political violence aggressively
  2. Strengthen ethics rules, protect election workers, and invest in civic education
  3. Support bipartisan norms and incremental transparency without major structural change
  4. Prioritize strict election security and punishment of disorder over new access expansions
  5. Back sweeping challenges to institutions seen as captured and maximize executive power