In the U.S., political ideology differences between races have narrowed, while those by education level have widened

A new analysis of U.S. election survey data finds that race has become a weaker divider of political ideology.

Black and Hispanic respondents shifted more conservative on average, while college-educated Americans moved more liberal relative to those with less education.

The education gap in ideology has widened from 2008 to 2024, overtaking race as a stronger source of political sorting.

The findings suggest a broader realignment in U.S. politics that helps explain changing voting patterns and polarization.