Democratic Party reaches lowest approval rating in 25 years

Party officials may worry about how this will translate into votes in upcoming elections

A volunteer for the Independent political party stands outside a polling station waiting to speak to voters in Arlington, Virginia on 7 November 2017. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images)

A new poll suggests that the Democratic Party has hit its lowest approval rating in 25 years.

Conducted by the Social Science Research Solutions (SSRS) for CNN, the poll showed that only 37 per cent of Americans saw the party as favourable while more than half of those surveyed - 54 per cent - did not.

Back in March, the party to the left of American politics had a 44 per cent favourability rating.

The lowest ratings came from "non-whites" at 48 per cent and people under age 35 at 33 per cent.

However, the poll may signify an overall dissatisfaction with American politics.

The Republican party only had a 30 per cent approval rating, its lowest since 1992 as well.

A majority, just over 60 per cent, were not enthusiastic about the GOP.

The poll results come during a crucial election day in state governor races in New Jersey and Virginia with Republican candidates backed by US President Donald Trump and Democratic candidates fighting apathy and political fatigue.

The poll points to high disapproval from within the parties' bases as well: 33 per cent of "liberals" and 41 per cent of "conservatives".

Of those who identified as "Independents," 42 per cent had a negative view of both parties.

When asked if it was "good for the nation" for Republicans to control the White House and both houses of Congress, only 38 per cent said yes and slightly more than half said no.

Looking ahead to the 2018 mid-term election cycle, CNN reported that: "Republicans and Democrats remain almost unanimously united behind their own candidates in 2018, but Democrats hold a crucial 10-point lead among independents."

These numbers come just after Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile wrote a book in which she said the party was 'rigged' the to support the candidacy of Hillary Clinton over primary opponent Senator Bernie Sanders.

But this may not translate at the polls directly as almost a third of those surveyed said they disapprove of the party of the candidate they plan on supporting.

The poll was conducted via telephone from 2 November to 5 November from a random sample of 1,021 American adults.