Most Rural Nebraskans Believe Lack of Civil Discourse is a Problem

Lincoln, Nebraska, Oct. 1, 2024 — Most rural Nebraskans (69%) see the lack of civil discourse in the political system as at least a somewhat serious problem, according to the 2024 Nebraska Rural Poll.

Twenty-nine percent of the poll’s respondents rate the lack of respectful discourse as a very serious problem, 40% say it is a somewhat serious problem and only 6% say it is not a serious problem. The responses are similar to those reported last year.

This view of a lack of civil discourse may result from a perceived division in politics. To that end, 67% of rural Nebraskans surveyed believe people are much more divided and 27% say people are more divided. There was a slight increase from the 2023 responses in those who think Americans are more divided and a slight decline in those saying much more divided.

“These results match national trends, so they may not be surprising, but they may still be concerning,” said L.J. McElravy, associate professor of leadership at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. “The public relies on our political leaders to collaborate on critical issues facing Americans, and the political divisiveness would seem to make this an increasingly difficult challenge.”  

According to the poll, more than eight in 10 rural Nebraskans believe the presidential campaigns and corresponding media coverage will make political divisions in the country worse. In addition:

> Fifty-three percent believe media coverage of the campaigns will make political divisions much worse;

> Thirty-seven percent think the campaigns themselves will make divisions much worse;

> A slight majority think campaigns for statewide office and related media coverage will make political divisions worse, but the percentage is significantly lower than those who fear worsening divisions from federal elections.

“There is little hope among rural Nebraskans that the election campaigns and the media coverage is going to bring the temperature down on heated political discourse” McElravy said. “Given what happened on Jan. 6, 2021, after the last presidential election, I worry about what the post-election reactions will be. I hope that our long tradition of a peaceful transition of power will be steadfast.”

Despite these perceptions of division, eighty-six percent of those surveyed say they have friends with political views very different from their own. However, some are no longer able to talk to either family or friends because of their views on politics and current events. Twenty-seven percent of respondents have family members — and 28% have friends — with whom they are no longer on speaking terms because of their views.

This was especially true for specific groups.

> Young Nebraskans are more likely than older respondents to say they have family members with whom they no longer speak because of their views;

> Thirty-eight percent of respondents ages 19 to 29 say this compared to about a quarter of those 30 and older.

> Respondents living in or near the largest communities are more likely than those in or near smaller communities to say they have friends with whom they no longer speak due to their views.

“Rural communities are known for being tight-knit, and the results suggest that for the most part, politics don’t get in the way of relationships,” said Heather Akin, assistant professor of agricultural and environmental sciences communication. “However, we still see that there are tangible consequences of political divisions, where respondents are no longer able to talk with friends or family members because of politics.” 

Policymakers, community leaders and members of the public are invited to learn more about rural Nebraskans’ perceptions of civil discourse during a free webinar at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 2. More details and registration are available at https://ruralpoll.unl.edu.

The Rural Poll is the largest annual poll gauging rural Nebraskans’ perceptions about policy and quality of life. Questionnaires were mailed to more than 5,800 households in Nebraska in late spring and summer, with 1,010 households — representing 86 of the state’s 93 counties — responding. The margin of error for the poll is plus-or-minus 3%. Rural Prosperity Nebraska conducts the poll with funding from Nebraska Extension.

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