Half of U.S. voters say they would consider voting for a democratic socialist, new poll finds

Half of registered U.S. voters say they would consider voting for a candidate who identifies as a democratic socialist, according to a new Economist/YouGov poll, showing substantial openness to a political label that has long faced resistance in American politics.

The survey found 50% of respondents willing to consider supporting a democratic socialist candidate, while 41% said they would not and 9% were unsure.

The poll surveyed 1,440 registered voters between Oct. 23 and Oct. 26 and has a margin of error of about three percentage points.

The findings come after a series of electoral gains by candidates associated with democratic socialism and the broader progressive left, bringing renewed attention to the movement’s influence inside Democratic politics.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who identifies as a democratic socialist, has become one of the movement’s most prominent national figures, while candidates aligned with similar politics have gained ground in congressional and local races.

The survey also found Sen. Bernie Sanders, who describes himself as a democratic socialist, viewed favorably by 49% of registered voters.

The results point to a significant constituency willing to consider democratic socialist candidates even as the label remains divisive among American voters.