This year’s presidential election comes at a time of growing political unrest in the United States, testing Americans’ faith in democracy and civic institutions. Public trust in the government is near historic lows, and Americans are more ideologically divided than at any point in recent decades.
New research from the Urban Institute and Citizen Data suggests financial security may play a role in how likely Americans are to be civically engaged. In a nationally representative survey of 1,000 voters fielded by Citizen Data, we find Americans who are financially secure are more likely to vote, volunteer for a campaign, or participate in other forms of civic engagement than those who are financially insecure. People who are financially secure are also more likely to be satisfied with democracy, trust election results, and be open to reducing social divisions than people who are struggling financially. Notably, many of these relationships hold true across party lines.
Though drawn from a small sample, these findings align with previous research showing that people with greater financial security have more political power in the US. Understanding how financial well-being intersects with Americans’ civic behaviors could help us restore the social fabric of our nation and advance a more equitable, inclusive democracy.
Americans who are financially secure are more likely to be civically engaged
In our research, we determine whether a respondent is financially secure using the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Financial Well-Being Scale, which measures whether a person’s financial situation provides them security and freedom of choice.
Compared with people who are financially insecure, we find that people who are financially secure are more likely to be civically engaged. They are slightly more likely to vote in the 2024 general election, vote in state primaries, and volunteer for a candidate or campaign. In addition, they are more than twice as likely to display political signage and more than three times as likely to make a political donation.
These trends may be explained by factors related to financial well-being. People with stable jobs may find it easier to take time off work to vote or volunteer, and people with higher incomes may be more likely to make political donations than those with less stable jobs and lower incomes. Though we could not analyze survey results by race and ethnicity, previous research has shown that racial discrimination has pushed a disproportionate share of workers of color, especially Black women, into jobs with low pay and less flexible schedules. As a result, people of color may be less able to take time off to vote or volunteer, making it difficult for them to participate in the democratic process.
Financial security is correlated with satisfaction and trust in democracy
We also find a strong link between financial security, satisfaction with democracy, and trust in election results. Almost three-quarters (74 percent) of people who are financially secure say they are satisfied with how American democracy is working for them, compared with more than a third of people (37 percent) who are financially insecure. Likewise, people who are financially secure are much more likely to say they will trust the results of the 2024 election (85 percent compared with 60 percent).
Moreover, financially secure voters are more likely to be satisfied with democracy whether they identify as Democrats or Republicans. Democrats who are financially secure are about 14 percentage points more likely to say they are satisfied with democracy than financially insecure Democrats. The difference is even greater among Republicans: Republicans who are financially secure are about 40 percentage points more likely to say they are satisfied with democracy than their financially insecure counterparts.
Similarly, financially secure Democrats and Republicans are more likely to trust the 2024 election results than their financially insecure counterparts. Across both parties, financially insecure Republicans were the least likely to say they will trust the 2024 election results.
These findings could also help explain why Americans who are financially secure are more likely to engage in the civic activities described above. People with greater faith in democracy and trust in the electoral process could be more likely to protect civic institutions by voting, volunteering, or donating to political groups than people who do not hold these beliefs.
Financially secure Americans are more open to reducing social divisions
The survey also asks respondents: “Would you play a part in reducing social division in America, for example, by attending an event to talk about social issues with those who have different opinions than you?”
We find that 66 percent of Americans who are financially secure responded “yes” to this question, compared with 59 percent of those who are financially insecure.
This trend is similar across party lines. Compared with people in their respective party who are financially insecure, Democrats who are financially secure are 12 percentage points more likely to say they would be open to reducing social divisions, and Republicans who are financially secure are 5 percentage points more likely to report this.
Overall, Democrats are more likely to be open to reducing social divisions than Republicans, regardless of their financial security. These sentiments are likely influenced by a variety of factors beyond financial well-being, such as personal values, cultural background, and media consumption habits.
How improving financial well-being can strengthen our democracy
These findings suggest financial well-being influences who has the time and resources to fully engage in civic life, ultimately reinforcing existing inequities in political power and representation in America.
Though these findings may be concerning, they also highlight an opportunity. By investing in people’s financial well-being, policymakers and civic leaders could strengthen the democratic fabric of our nation. Programs and policies designed to address the racial wealth gap, increase housing affordability, enhance job quality, and protect consumers could not only improve financial well-being but also reduce social divisions and promote a more equitable and inclusive democracy.
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