We spoke to voters in 2014, and again in 2017, probing their reactions to our political system, where white men – who are 30% of the population – hold way more power than the 70% of Americans who are women and people of color. Each time, a majority saw our elected officials as an old boys’ club or the 1 percent, and called for a change in who holds power.
- In 2014, voters understood that structural issues like access to donors and party recruitment practices were blocking women and people of color from elected office.
- White voters were nearly as likely as voters of color to see structural barriers as an important issue impacting candidates of color.
- Both Democrats and Republicans supported policies aimed at electing more women and people of color by significant majorities.
- Voters tend to underestimate just how much power white men hold compared to their share of population.
- From 2014 to 2017, a larger portion of voters described our elected officials as an old boys club, and wanted them to reflect the face of America instead.
