Gallup first asked this question in 1937 referring to women, Jews, and Catholic candidates. Since, Gallup has taken this poll every few years and consistently added new categories as presidential candidates have become more diverse.
Americans willing to vote for a Mormon president rests at 80 percent, a number which hasn’t changed much over the last 45 years.
However, other categories have grown in acceptance, according to Gallup. While in 1937, less than half of Americans would vote for a woman or Jewish president, now over 90 percent say the would. In 1958, less than half of Americans would vote for a black candidate, and today that trend too has over 90 percent acceptance.
“Over time, Americans’ acceptance of blacks and women as candidates has increased the most,” the poll reports.
Categories: Americas