Voice of the People (VOP) is a nonpartisan organization “working to improve democracy by giving the people a greater voice in policymaking.”
One way the org does that is by partnering with the Program for Public Consultation in the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland. The alliance allows the org to do formal “public consultation surveys” where they ask Americans what they care about.
And VOP doesn’t play it safe. Their research has explored public opinion on regulating artificial intelligence, U.S. participation in multilateral institutions, and the 2025 federal budget. They’ve delved into clean-energy tax credits, Medicaid and SNAP benefits, and presidential authority. Other national surveys examined foreign aid, housing affordability, immigration policy, and energy and the environment—each revealing surprising areas of bipartisan common ground.
The results of the surveys are compiled and published in reports to show which issues a majority of Americans agree on
Don’t believe you’re one of those people, much less that the statement “a majority of Americans agree on” could be true?
Take the test!
COMMON GROUND TEST
1) How many policy positions has VOP (in partnership with PPC) identified as being supported by majorities of both Republicans and Democrats?
A. ~ 50
B. ~ 100
C. ~ 150
D. ~ 200+
2) In their “Swing Six” surveys in battleground states and nationwide, how many of the 66 federal issues asked about were ones where Republicans and Democrats agreed?
A. 10
B. 33
C. 55
D. 66
3) What is the method PPC uses in these surveys to help people form opinions before answering?
A. Respondents fill out their prior beliefs from memory
B. Respondents are given briefings, pro-/con arguments, then asked their views
C. Respondents are shown media headlines and decide which side they like
D. Respondents merely rank issues by importance
4) Which of the following issue areas is not listed by VOP as one where common ground has been found?
A. Criminal justice reform
B. Social Security and Medicare
C. Net neutrality
D. Passing more constitutional amendments
5) According to VOP’s description, which of these best describes how “common ground” positions are selected?
A. Ideas that 100% of voters across parties support
B. Ideas that a large minority supports but the other side is neutral
C. Ideas that elicit majority support from both Republicans and Democrats
D. Ideas that party leaders endorse and public opinion follows
6) True or False: The VOP / PPC project claims to have surveyed nearly 100,000 Americans via policymaking simulation
Answer Key & Explanations
1) D (~ 200+). VOP states it has identified “more than 200 policy positions … supported by majorities of both Republicans and Democrats.”
2) C (55). Their battleground-state survey asked about 66 issues and found bipartisan agreement on 55 of them.
3) B. The surveys use deliberative methods: respondents receive balanced briefings with pros and cons, then make recommendations.
4) D. Passing more constitutional amendments is not listed among the issue areas cited by VOP’s “common ground” summary.
5) C. The forum emphasizes ideas that get majority support from both Republicans and Democrats.
6) True. VOP describes nearly 100,000 citizens having gone through these simulations.
Starling conclusions
The reports are a treasure trove of information and startling conclusions. Here’s a sampling:
- AI oversight: majorities of both Republicans and Democrats support federal regulation of artificial intelligence—including mandatory bias audits and transparency rules—despite deep divisions on most tech issues.
- Foreign aid: Two-thirds of Americans favor maintaining or increasing US foreign aid, contradicting the common belief that most voters want steep cuts.
- Presidential power: Bipartisan majorities want Congress to reclaim authority to limit presidential military actions—an unexpected consensus on checking executive power.
- Social programs: Over 70% of respondents from both parties favor raising benefits for Medicaid and SNAP, even among many who identify as fiscally conservative.
- Energy and climate: In swing states, large bipartisan majorities back clean-energy tax credits and limits on offshore drilling, showing strong agreement on climate action often assumed to be partisan.
With so much evidence of widespread bipartisan support for so many issues, the VOP and advisory board and team offer the following conclusion on their website:
“Research indicates that polarization and government dysfunction primarily arise from the increasing role of competing special interests seeking to influence government through partisan channels, buoyed by the increasing role of money in the political process and the exponential growth of lobbyists in government.”
My three questions for you
Before taking the test, were you someone who believed Americans on the other political side of the spectrum shared little or no support of most issues?
Now that you have at least some feedback that’s not the case, what conclusions do you draw about the messages Americans are receiving about who’s responsible for polarization?
Are you more motivated to push politicians to solve these issues that share widespread bipartisan support?
Join the Common Ground Movement!
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Definition of Common Ground Movement: placing your loyalty with other Americans, rather than any political party, and embracing the fact we have more in common than not.
Vigilant Positivity 