Democrats are reeling after new data revealed steep losses in voter registration compared to Republicans across the United States. A New York Times analysis found that in all 30 states that track party registration, Democrats lost ground between the 2020 and 2024 elections, while Republicans added up to 4.5 million more voters.
“I think it should be an alarm for the party,” Democratic strategist Eddie Vale said. “I think it’s a real problem.”
Struggling After Trump’s Victory
The registration slump comes after Democrats lost the presidency to Donald Trump in 2024, as well as control of both the House and the Senate. Many within the party now fear that without a compelling message and stronger grassroots outreach, they risk being locked out of power for years.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has tried to energize Democrats by aggressively attacking Trump online, but strategists warn that the overall Democratic brand has collapsed.
“The voter registration lag is directly related to this because the Democratic brand is flat,” one strategist told the Times. “The most successful Democrats in this environment run against both parties.”
Perception Problems: “Weak,” “Woke,” and “Out of Touch”
A Unite the Country super PAC poll obtained by The Hill found voters increasingly describe Democrats as “out of touch,” “woke,” and “weak.” Similarly, a Wall Street Journal poll last month showed the party’s popularity at its lowest point in 35 years, with 63% of voters viewing Democrats unfavorably.
One major Democratic donor was blunt: “Our party sucks. Our leadership sucks. Our message sucks. Why would anyone want to be a Democrat?”
GOP Out-Hustling Democrats
Republican strategist Susan Del Percio, who does not back Trump, said the numbers prove Democrats have been outworked. “It shows how Democrats took things for granted and got outhustled by Republicans,” she said. “The numbers are there, and this is proof in the pudding.”
Searching for a Way Forward
Party leaders have begun a series of postmortems and focus groups to win back disaffected voters — particularly younger voters, Latinos, and African American men.
Steve Schale, a veteran Democratic strategist, argued Democrats must revive party-based voter registration drives linked to specific candidates. “Not only does party-based registration accomplish the rote goal of registering voters, it also requires the kind of outreach in key communities that we have long rightly been criticized for abandoning,” Schale said.
Vale cautioned Democrats not to just fight the “last war.” He noted polling that shows younger minorities souring on Trump — an opening to win back registration numbers.
Core Issue: Trust
Ultimately, Democratic strategist Anthony Coley said, the crisis boils down to a lack of trust. “Voters have run away from the party for a variety of reasons, but trust — or the lack of it — tops the list,” he said. “Too many voters just don’t trust the Democratic Party to deliver on issues they care about.”
