The questions Gallup has asked the same way for years, some since the 1930s, so today’s answer can be read against the past. A single poll is a snapshot; the trend is the story.
“Do you think abortions should be legal under any circumstances, legal only under certain circumstances, or illegal in all circumstances?”
Legal in some cases: 54% in 1975, 48% in 2026. Highest 59% (1998), lowest 48% (1992).
“Thinking now about immigrants, that is, people who come from other countries to live here in the United States, in your view, should immigration be kept at its present level, increased or decreased?”
Decrease: 33% in 1965, 29% in 2026. Highest 65% (1993), lowest 28% (2020).
“In general, do you feel that the laws covering the sale of firearms should be made more strict, less strict or kept as they are now?”
More strict: 78% in 1990, 60% in 2025. Highest 78% (1990), lowest 43% (2011).
“In general, how much trust and confidence do you have in the mass media, such as newspapers, TV and radio, when it comes to reporting the news fully, accurately and fairly: a great deal, a fair amount, not very much or none at all?”
A great deal or a fair amount: 68% in 1972, 28% in 2025. Highest 72% (1976), lowest 28% (2025).
“In general, are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the way things are going in the United States at this time?”
Satisfied: 19% in 1979, 23% in 2026. Highest 70% (2001), lowest 10% (2008).
“Are you in favor of the death penalty for a person convicted of murder?”
In favor: 60% in 1937, 52% in 2025. Highest 80% (1994), lowest 42% (1966).
“Do you approve or disapprove of labor unions?”
Approve: 72% in 1936, 71% in 2026. Highest 75% (1953), lowest 48% (2009).
“Do you think it is the responsibility of the federal government to make sure all Americans have healthcare coverage, or is that not the responsibility of the federal government?”
Government’s responsibility: 64% in 2000, 64% in 2025. Highest 69% (2006), lowest 42% (2013).
“Do you think the use of marijuana should be made legal, or not?”
Should be legal: 12% in 1969, 64% in 2025. Highest 70% (2023), lowest 12% (1969).
“Do you think marriages between same-sex couples should or should not be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages?”
Should be valid: 27% in 1996, 65% in 2026. Highest 71% (2022), lowest 27% (1996).
“With which one of these statements about the environment and the economy do you most agree: protection of the environment should be given priority, even at the risk of curbing economic growth, or economic growth should be given priority, even if the environment suffers to some extent?”
Environment first: 61% in 1984, 58% in 2026. Highest 71% (1990), lowest 36% (2011).
“Do you consider the amount of federal income tax you have to pay as too high, about right or too low?”
Too high: 55% in 1956, 59% in 2026. Highest 69% (1969), lowest 45% (2018).
We use questions that a transparent, established pollster has asked in the same words for many years, so change over time is real and not an artifact of wording. Today all come from Gallup, whose national surveys of about 1,000 adults typically carry a margin of error of about ±4 percentage points; differences smaller than that are treated as no change. We never use opt-in website polls, campaign or advocacy polls, or any poll that does not publish its question and methods. Results and dates are read from Gallup’s own published tables and were last checked November 4, 2026.