Worries over political extremism and threats to democracy have surged to the forefront as the primary concern for U.S. voters, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown in the upcoming November election.

The three-day Reuters Ipsos poll, which concluded on Sunday, found that 21% of respondents identified “political extremism or threats to democracy” as the nation’s most pressing issue, narrowly edging out concerns about the economy and immigration.

President Joe Biden appears to hold a slight advantage over his predecessor, Donald Trump, in addressing this issue, with 34% of respondents believing Biden has a better approach compared to 31% for Trump.

The findings underscore the deeply polarized political landscape in America, with Democrats prioritizing extremism as the top issue, while Republicans overwhelmingly focus on immigration.

Independent voters

The poll also highlights the pivotal role of independent voters, with nearly a third citing extremism as their primary concern, followed closely by immigration and the economy.

This suggests that the handling of extremism could significantly influence voter behavior in the upcoming election.

The rise of extremism as a top concern comes amid ongoing political turmoil, with Trump continuing to challenge the legitimacy of U.S. institutions and perpetuate false claims of election fraud.

His rhetoric has not only fueled division but also incited violence, as seen in the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol.