Public sentiment toward the Democratic Party has deteriorated sharply, according to two national polls published in mid-July. A Harvard CAPS/Harris survey of 2,044 registered voters conducted July 6-8 found that 40 percent approve of the party’s overall performance, down two points from a month earlier. The same poll put the Republican Party’s approval at 48 percent. A newer Quinnipiac University poll taken July 10-14 among 1,290 registered voters paints an even starker picture for Democrats in Congress: only 19 percent approve of the way they are handling their jobs, while 72 percent disapprove. Disapproval stretches across the electorate, reaching 87 percent among Republicans, 78 percent among independents and 52 percent among Democratic voters themselves. The back-to-back readings underscore the party’s challenge in rebuilding support after last November’s electoral setbacks and as attention turns toward the 2026 midterms.