Most Americans frustrated with US presidential election: Poll

A new US poll has found that Americans have little confidence in their political system, the government in general or in the two dominant political parties, with most expressing frustration and anger at the 2016 presidential election.

The survey conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research also reflected lack of much confidence by Americans in any branches of the US government, particularly the legislative, with only 4 percent saying they have great deal of confidence in Congress, the AP reported on Saturday.

According to the poll, while 48 percent of those polled said they have only some confidence in congressional lawmakers, 46 percent said they have hardly any.

The survey also found that few Americans felt positive about the current presidential election process, with seven in 10 of those polled describing themselves as “frustrated” with the 2016 race for the White House, and more than half -- including majorities in both of the rival political parties -- expressing anger about it.

It showed that overall 55 percent, including majorities from both parties said they feel helpless about the election. Nearly half of those over 45 years old but two-thirds of those under 30 said they feel helpless.

Meanwhile, a mere 10 percent of the poll participants said they have a great deal of confidence in the overall US political system, with 51 percent saying they have “only some confidence” and 38 percent expressing “hardly any” confidence.

Moreover, nearly 25 percent also said they have hardly any confidence that their votes will be counted accurately, while close to 4 in 10 said they only have some confidence in the process.

The survey further reflected distrust of American voters in the country’s two-party political system with only 13 percent saying it works fairly well, while 38 percent stating that it's seriously broken.

An additional 49 percent also said the US political system “has real problems,” but it can still work with some improvements, the study noted. 

Lack of confidence in either political party was also evident in the poll, which found that a mere 8 percent expressed “great deal confidence” in the Republican Party and just 15 percent saying the same about the Democratic Party.   

The poll was conducted among 1,060 American adults from May 12-15 with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percent.

Observers believe the overwhelming distrust in the American political system, especially the US Congress stems from the growing influence of special interest and lobby groups in the government bodies, leading lawmakers to serve political lobbyists rather than people who vote them into office. 

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