2025 was a tumultuous year for higher education. It began with DOGE and its funding cuts, including cuts to health care programs and research. Shortly after, many well-known institutions found themselves in the news as the administration announced it would halt or significantly curtail their federal funds. In the latter half of the year, some schools agreed deals with the administration, some of which included paying multimillion dollar fines. Then in October, the administration released its Compact for Excellence in Higher Education.
A major part of the administration’s actions last year is their contention that institutions are not doing enough to combat antisemitism on their campuses. This week, we take a look at voters’ views of the problem of antisemitism using data from the November survey for Winning the Issues (November 15-17).
Overall, voters call antisemitism a serious problem 68-21 (serious-not serious). However, more voters call it a “somewhat serious” problem (41%) than a very serious problem (27%). By party, independents are less likely to call antisemitism a serious problem (58-27) than Republicans (69-22) or Democrats (78-13). But among independents, it is still a majority view (58%). Independents also have a higher share of voters who are undecided on this question (15%) compared to Democrats or Republicans (both at 9%).
Across age, party and level of education, there is a remarkable level of consistency, with about two-thirds of men (68%), women (69%), voters 18-44 (69%), 45+ (68%), those with a four-year degree (68%), and those with at most an associate’s degree (68%) sharing this view.
Overall, there is a significant consensus among voters that antisemitism is a serious problem. This is something policy makers and college and university leaders should bear in mind as we move into 2026.
