America’s political divide may dominate headlines, but new research from Pew Research Center suggests most voters don’t fit neatly into the country’s familiar red-versus-blue narrative.
In a sweeping analysis released Wednesday, Pew identified nine distinct political groups based on values, beliefs and attitudes rather than party affiliation, finding that a majority of Americans occupy a politically mixed middle ground even as partisan polarization remains intense.
The study found that just 38% of Americans belong to four highly ideological groups that anchor the political left and right. On the right, “No Apologies Right” and “Faith First Conservatives” account for 21% of the public and are strongly supportive of President Donald Trump. On the left, “Leftward Progressives” and “Loyal Liberals” make up 17% of Americans and are overwhelmingly critical of Trump while aligning closely with Democratic priorities.
The remaining 62% of Americans fall into five less ideological groups. Those include “Order and Opportunity Left,” the largest single category at 18% of the public, as well as “Unconventional Right,” “Pragmatic and Polite Right,” “Left-Out Left,” and the politically disengaged “Tuned-Out Middle.”
Researchers found that many of the sharpest divisions are not simply between Democrats and Republicans, but within each coalition. On the right, differences over religion, abortion, immigration and political style separate conservative groups. On the left, disagreements over crime, gender identity, economic policy and attitudes toward the Democratic Party create significant divisions among voters who generally support Democratic candidates.
The report also found that political engagement is concentrated among the most ideological groups. “No Apologies Right” and “Loyal Liberals” are the most politically active, while members of the “Tuned-Out Middle” report little interest in politics and are far less likely to participate in elections or political discussions.
Demographic differences also shape the typology. Younger Americans are more likely to fall into left-leaning groups, particularly “Leftward Progressives” and “Left-Out Left,” while older adults are more concentrated in right-leaning categories. White Americans are more likely to belong to right-oriented groups overall, while Black and Hispanic Americans are more commonly found in left-oriented groups.
Pew researchers said the findings highlight the challenge facing both major parties as they try to build coalitions from voters whose beliefs often cut across traditional partisan lines. The report is based on a survey of more than 10,000 U.S. adults conducted in late 2025, along with follow-up surveys through spring 2026.
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