Views of Government: Key Data Points
Public confidence of government has fallen in recent years, and many Americans favor a smaller government providing fewer services, according to Pew Research Center surveys.
Unauthorized Immigrants: How Pew Research Counts Them and What We Know About Them
Jeffrey Passell, a senior demographer for the Pew Research Center, describes how the number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. was calculated and what impact new immigration proposals may have on this group.
Widening Gap in Views of Federal, State and Local Governments
Favorability ratings for different levels of government have diverged over the past decade as public views of the federal government have fallen to new lows.
How Americans Feel About Doing Taxes
As April 15 approaches, a majority of Americans have a negative reaction to doing their income taxes, but about a third say they either like or love doing their taxes.
Public Divided over North Korea’s Intentions, Capability
While the public is divided over whether North Korea is willing and capable of following through on its threats against the United States, most Americans say the U.S. should take the threats very seriously.
More States Restrict Religious Laws
Bills aimed at banning the use of Islamic (sharia) law – or at restricting the application of religious or foreign law – have been introduced in more than 30 state legislatures since 2010.
Gun Debate Tops Public Interest
The public is paying far closer attention to news about the gun control debate than news about threats from North Korea or the debate over immigration policy.
N.Y., Washington State Consider Bucking Trend on Abortion
The two states consider measures that run counter to a recent, nationwide trend toward imposing more restrictions on abortion.
Majority Now Supports Legalizing Marijuana
For the first time in more than four decades of polling on the issue, a majority of Americans favors legalizing the use of marijuana.
Forty Years of Cell Phone Calls
Our recent surveys show that 87% of American adults have a cell phone, along with 78% of American teenagers ages 12 to 17.
