auld lang signing off 👋

welcome to your DFP wrapped

We learned about so many new things together this year, like how often our boyfriends really think about the Roman empire, who finally takes the throne at the end of Succession, and the existence of Mike Johnson. You spent hours doomscrolling online, sharing dozens of Trump mugshot memes, or reading way too many celebrity memoirs. And through it all, you stayed (or became!) subscribed to the DFP newsletter.

Like many of you, we’re looking forward to sitting by the fire, drinking eggnog, and recharging before 2024 hits us all harder than a high-speed train. We’ll be back in January, but before we go — check out our list of the top polls you were reading (based on our site traffic) and the policies we achieved in 2023. And just like that… wishing you a great holiday season!

The polls you were reading in 2023:

Voters Agree the U.S. Should Call for a Ceasefire and De-Escalation of Violence in Gaza to Prevent Civilian Deaths

In our most viewed poll of the year, we found that 66% of likely voters agree that the U.S. should call for a cease-fire and de-escalation of violence in Gaza.

Beshear Up 2 Over Cameron in Close Kentucky Governor's Race

In the days before the Kentucky governor's race, Democratic Governor Andy Beshear led by 2 points over his Republican opponent, Daniel Cameron, the state attorney general — 50% to 48%, with 2% undecided. (Beshear ultimately won by 5 points.)

Accountable Allies: The Undue Influence of Fossil Fuel Money in Academia

We compiled a list of contributions from large oil and gas companies to major universities across the country (over $600,000,000!), shining a light on the dangerous link between academia and the fossil fuel industry.

LGBTQ+ Adults Do Not Feel Safe and Do Not Think the Democratic Party Is Doing Enough to Protect Their Rights

LGBTQ+ adults nationally are greatly impacted by the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and rhetoric, and many have considered moving out of their state or community as a result. Particularly, transgender adults feel unheard and unprotected by the Democratic Party.

Voters Want the U.S. to Call for a Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza and to Prioritize Diplomacy

Over 60% of voters support the U.S. calling for a permanent ceasefire and de-escalation of violence in Gaza. Support for a permanent ceasefire includes 76% of Democrats, 57% of Independents, and 49% of Republicans.

2024 Ohio Senate Poll Leans Toward a Sherrod Brown Reelection in a Currently Tight Race

As we approach the coming election year, we found that Sen. Sherrod Brown is tied with or leading all of his Republican challengers in the 2024 election for U.S. Senate in Ohio.

NYC Voters Overwhelmingly Want the City to Create More Affordable Housing and Prefer a Not-For-Profit, Public Approach

Sixty-six percent of NYC voters said it is “very important” to address the city’s housing crisis. Also, when asked about their neighborhood or community, a majority of voters supported a not-for-profit approach to creating more affordable housing.

A No Labels Candidate Would Be an Unserious Contender and a Threat to Democracy

In our June survey, a hypothetical moderate challenger trailed both Biden and Trump by almost 30 points. We determined a No Labels presidential candidate would not be a viable 2024 contender for the presidency, instead siphoning votes away from President Biden and enabling a Trump victory.

Voters Across Party Lines Support the Social Security Expansion Act

Our polling found overwhelming, bipartisan support for the Social Security Expansion Act. This legislation extends the solvency of Social Security for 75 years and increases benefits for all recipients by $2,400 per year.

New Poll: Rep. Andy Kim Has Wide Lead in N.J. Senate Democratic Primary, Sen. Menendez Below 10%

In a October survey, we found Representative Andy Kim leading a three-way race between Kim, Senator Bob Menendez, and Kyle Jasey in the 2024 Democratic primary election for U.S. Senator from New Jersey.

The policies you were winning in 2023:

i can tell you’ve got big clean energy

If there’s one thing we could count on in 2023, it was Big Gretch and the beautiful state of Michigan. No longer will residents of the Great Lake State power through their harsh winters with dirty, nonrenewable energy. Instead, the Michigan legislature used its new Democratic trifecta to pass a 100% clean energy standard, producing all its energy from clean sources by 2040.

Back in March, we asked Michigan voters how they felt about a 100% clean energy electricity grid, finding strong support for the plan. Now, it's becoming a reality thanks to Michigan Democrats delivering on their promises. It’s a model of what we can achieve on a national scale as we fight for decarbonization and a healthy climate.

Check out the full polling here.

three strikes and you’re… getting better working conditions

This year gave us hot labor summer, with over 300,000 workers causing work stoppages to fight for their rights in the workplace. Among those included members of UAW, as well as actors and writers as part of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. Because of their efforts, all three unions have negotiated deals for higher pay and job protections. In September, we found that voters across party lines supported the UAW strikes. And in August, we found that voters overwhelmingly agreed with the demands of SAG-AFTRA and WGA for better compensation and safeguards against AI.

Thanks to the power of workers, you can be sure that ChatGPT won’t be writing the scripts of your favorite movie anytime soon, and the workers making your Ford, Stellantis, or General Motors vehicle will be making a fair wage. We’re leaving a lot of things behind in 2023, but worker power isn’t one of them.

Read the full UAW polling here, and the full SAG-AFTRA and WGA polling here.

get in losers, we’re joining the american climate corps

There were plenty of moments in 2023 when the world made us want to escape into the forest and live our off-the-grid, woodland fantasy lifestyle. But now thanks to the American Climate Corps, we can turn that dream into a reality! Announced in September, the ACC will place young people in good-paying jobs protecting our natural lands, advancing environmental justice, and deploying clean energy across the country.

When we polled voters on a national service program to help fight climate change, we found it had support with a strong majority of voters — and even a majority of Republicans.

Now if you’ll excuse us, we’ll be joining the more than 42,000 people who have already signed up for the ACC since launch. As Smoky the Bear tells us, only we can prevent wildfires, so you bet we’re signing up to help protect our country’s forests and natural lands.

Read the full polling here.