Republicans remain far less likely than Democrats to view COVID-19 as a major threat to public health

Republicans and Democrats remain far apart in their views of the public health threat posed by the coronavirus outbreak. More than eight-in-ten Democrats (85%) say the outbreak is a major threat to the health of the U.S. population, compared with 46% of Republicans. Americans overall are less intensely concerned about potential personal-level impacts from COVID-19 than they are about its national effects.

• A look at the Americans who believe there is some truth to the conspiracy theory that COVID-19 was planned
• See all of our coronavirus research

As COVID-19 cases increase, most Americans support ‘no excuse’ absentee voting

About two-thirds of Americans say the option to vote early or absentee should be available to any voter without requiring a documented reason, while a third say early and absentee voting should only be allowed with a reason. Democrats overwhelmingly back “no excuse” early or absentee voting: 83% support it. By comparison, 55% of Republicans say a documented reason should be necessary to vote early or absentee.

• As states move to expand the practice, relatively few Americans have voted by mail

Are you in the American middle class? Find out with our updated income calculator

About half of U.S. adults lived in middle-income households in 2018, according to our new analysis of government data. Roughly three-in-ten were in lower-income households and 19% were in upper-income households. Our calculator, updated with 2018 data, lets you find out which group you are in.

How removing unauthorized immigrants from census statistics could affect House reapportionment

The White House is seeking to remove unauthorized immigrants in the United States from the apportionment count of the 2020 census. If these immigrants were removed, three states each could lose a U.S. House seat, while three others each could gain one, according to our analysis based on government data.

Is belief in God necessary for good values?

Across 34 countries we surveyed in 2019, a median of 45% of adults say it is necessary to believe in God to be moral and have good values. A median of 53% say prayer plays an important role in their lives, while around six-in-ten say the same about religion and God. Attitudes on these questions vary widely by country and region.

• More education connected with belief that God is not necessary to have good values

Most Americans say social media companies have too much power, influence in politics

Before COVID-19, many Latinos worried about their place in America and had experienced discrimination

From our research