Only 14 percent of Americans polled by Gallup believe the public has “a lot” of influence over lawmakers, according to a survey released Wednesday.
Although it is the job of lawmakers to vote on behalf of their constituents, 64 percent of voters say members of Congress are beholden to the wishes of major donors and 55 percent think lobbyists tell lawmakers how to cast votes, the poll found.
The survey gives a bleak look into how voters believe legislative business takes place in a democracy.
Republicans, Democrats and independents who almost always are divided on policy issues, overwhelmingly agreed that the public was the least important factor when lawmakers vote on legislation. A net 67 percent of GOP voters, 63 percent of independents and 62 percent of Democrats said major donors have the most influence.
In each group, 14 percent said people in the representative’s district are the least likely to have an effect on a lawmaker’s decision.
The survey also found that more informed Americans were significantly more likely to believe that wealthy supporters influence politicians than people who were not knowledgeable about the ins and outs of Congress.
Almost 80 percent of in-touch Americans, 78 percent, said major donors have the most say, while 49 percent of those who are out of touch said the same.
The poll of adults was conducted by telephone between June 1-5 and has a margin of error of 4 percent.
