On behalf of E Pluribus Unum, Embold Research conducted a poll among 2,918 registered voters across 13 states in order to deepen understanding of the multifaceted economic, political, and social realities of Southern voters. This research builds on a previous poll conducted in November, 2023 with a similar aim of capturing the landscape of social, economic, and political conditions in the same southern states.

This particular survey found that Southerners’ relationships with their communities remain nuanced: majorities report feeling accepted and welcomed in their community, but this feeling is countered by the strong notion that if respondents were to have differing views from their communities, they would be ostracized. Moreover, despite the large racial and ethnic diversity of the South, significant proportions of respondents report a lack of diversity in their social circles, neighborhoods, and workplaces, and few voters often discuss race and politics with those who share different opinions.

This research also surfaces a theme of normalized economic hardship. For the majority of Southerners, the high cost of housing and rent is both a central issue in their communities and an obstacle in the way of economic opportunity in their personal lives. Moreover, in a qualitative question asking about comparative economic standing, most respondents, regardless of how they perceive their financial situation, mention personal hardship or dismal local or statewide economic conditions.

Lastly, in a departure from previous polling, this research also focused on perceptions of the health of democracy and regional political environments in the face of Trump’s reelection. This research found that while deep polarization divides Southerners in their feelings toward the presidential election outcome and the future of their communities, there is little doubt across the board that a Trump presidency will fundamentally change Southerners’ lives economically and politically. Additionally, few voters, regardless of their political leaning, believe that Trump’s second term will mend the divisions faced by many communities.