Americans who voted for Donald Trump after previously voting for Barack Obama in 2012 show more regret about their 2016 votes than any other group.
The report was carried out by the Voter Study Group and surveyed 5,000 American adults over the internet in July.
About 16 percent of so-called “Obama-Trump voters” expressed regrets about their 2016 vote when asked in July 2017, a jump from around 7 percent in December 2016.
Among both Trump voters and Clinton voters in general, the number of people who regret their vote is about the same as of July.
There are a number of possible explanations for this jump. States that went for Obama in 2012 but for Trump in 2016 include Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Commentators and analysts have attributed Trump’s popularity in formerly Democratic areas to his focus on issues that white working class voters care about, like trade and immigration.
Sixteen percent of individuals regretting their vote is still a relatively small number, but it could be read as Trump voters beginning to lose patience with the president over his lack of action on issues they care about.
The study also profiles President Trump’s approval and disapproval numbers. Eighty-eight percent of people who voted for Trump in the general election still approve of his performance. Ninety-six percent of Clinton voters disapprove of Trump.
Among Obama-Trump voters disapproval is more common than among Trump voters in general. However, the majority of Obama-Trump voters still approve.