What Is an Approval Rating? A Guide to Political Public Trust

Approval ratings have become one of the most familiar barometers of public opinion in politics. From presidential performance to local mayoral leadership, these numbers reflect how elected officials are perceived and often, how they lead.

In this guide, we’ll break down what an approval rating is, how it’s calculated, why it matters, and what it reveals about the relationship between officials and the people they serve. Whether you’re an elected official, a campaign strategist, or a civically engaged citizen, understanding approval ratings helps make sense of how public trust is earned and how it can be lost.

What Is an Approval Rating?

An approval rating is a measure of how satisfied the public is with a political leader’s performance in office.

Usually expressed as a percentage, it reflects the share of people who say they “approve” of the way an elected official is handling their job. The higher the percentage, the stronger the public’s confidence in that leader.

Approval ratings are most often associated with U.S. presidents, but they’re also used to evaluate governors, mayors, and other public officials. In short, approval ratings offer a snapshot of political trust, or how people feel about their leaders at a specific moment in time.

How Are Approval Ratings Calculated?

Approval ratings come from public opinion polls conducted by research organizations, universities, or media outlets.

The process typically works like this:

• Polling a Representative Sample: Researchers survey a diverse group of people that reflects the demographics of the broader population.

• Asking a Standardized Question: A question is consistently asked across the representative sample, like, “Do you approve or disapprove of the way [official’s name] is handling their job?”

• Calculating the Percentage: The share of respondents who answer “approve” becomes the approval rating.

Because polls rely on samples rather than the entire population, there’s always a margin of error, usually 2% to 5%. That means an approval rating of 48% with a ±3% margin could realistically range between 45% and 51%.

Modern polling methods also adjust for factors like partisan lean, geographic diversity, and voter turnout likelihood, which can influence the results. Online polling and mobile surveys are increasingly replacing traditional phone-based methods, broadening participation but also introducing new challenges in data reliability.

Why Approval Ratings Matter

Approval ratings aren’t just numbers. They signal how well an elected official is connecting with their constituents, shaping both public perception and strategic decisions. High approval ratings can give leaders momentum, while low ratings often invite criticism or competition.

Some of the key reasons approval ratings matter include:

• Public Accountability: Approval ratings help voters evaluate whether leaders are meeting their expectations. They serve as an informal report card between elections.

• Political Leverage: Lawmakers with high approval ratings often find it easier to pass legislation, attract endorsements, and maintain influence within their party or community.

• Reelection Prospects: Declining approval ratings can signal trouble ahead. Many campaign strategists track these numbers closely to gauge whether a candidate’s message is resonating.

• Media and Public Narrative: Journalists and political commentators use approval ratings to frame stories about leadership effectiveness, crises, and turning points in a term.

As Cara Schulz, an elected city council member in Burnsville, Minnesota, pointed out, approval isn’t the only measure of effectiveness:

“I do one major policy initiative per term and then a bunch of little minor ones if I can get them. If I can get that major one through and some of my other minor ones, and I don’t have people with pitchforks, that’s what I’m looking at as effectiveness,” she said. “The other thing you look at for effectiveness is when you run for reelection. You’re asking to be hired again. You have to reapply for your job, and then your bosses tell you if that’s a yes or a no.”

In other words, approval ratings may capture sentiment, but the true test of leadership is whether people trust you enough to keep you in the job.

LEARN MORE: Explore how constituent engagement can help you build a better connection with the people you serve. 

Examples of Approval Ratings in Action

Approval ratings tell stories both about political popularity and how leaders respond to challenges, earn trust, and navigate public perception. Across every level of government, these numbers can shape momentum, reveal public sentiment, and even predict electoral outcomes.

To see how approval ratings reflect leadership and public trust in practice, let’s look at a few examples from across different levels of government:

• Franklin D. Roosevelt maintained some of the highest approval ratings in modern history, averaging around 72% throughout his presidency. His strong numbers reflected public confidence during both the Great Depression and World War II, showing how steady leadership and decisive action in times of crisis can inspire lasting trust.

• George W. Bush experienced one of the most dramatic approval swings on record. His rating soared to nearly 90% after the September 11, 2001 attacks as Americans rallied around national unity. By the end of his second term, it had plummeted to the mid-20s amid controversy over the Iraq War and economic decline. This swing is a reminder that public trust can be as fleeting as it is powerful.

• Joe Biden saw his approval fluctuate between 36% and 50% over the course of his presidency, depending on the economy, foreign policy developments, and partisan polarization. His midterm approval stability, despite widespread political division, underscored how modern ratings often mirror broader trends in public confidence rather than personal performance alone.

• Phil Scott, Vermont’s Republican governor, has consistently ranked among the most popular state leaders in the nation, with approval ratings around 80%. His bipartisan approach and focus on pragmatic problem-solving have earned him broad support in a predominantly Democratic state. His steady ratings suggest that crossing party lines can strengthen trust.

• Dan McKee, the Democratic governor of Rhode Island, sits on the opposite end of the spectrum. His approval rating, sitting around 40%, is among the lowest in the country, reflecting voter frustration over policy direction and economic concerns. For McKee, the numbers serve as both a warning sign and an opportunity to reconnect with constituents before the next election cycle.

• Eric Adams, mayor of New York City, earned a record-low approval rating of about 20%, the weakest for a city mayor in nearly three decades. Rising crime concerns, housing pressures, and ethics investigations all contributed to public discontent, highlighting how rapidly urban leadership challenges can erode once-solid support.

• Brandon Johnson, Chicago’s mayor, has faced similar turbulence, with approval ratings hovering around 26%. Although Johnson has made progress on youth investment and community safety, slow implementation and fiscal tension have dampened early optimism. His case illustrates how local approval ratings often hinge on visible results rather than long-term goals.

• John Whitmire, the newly elected mayor of Houston, offers a counterexample of early success. With an approval rating around 59%, Whitmire’s first months in office have been marked by positive reviews of his focus on public safety and collaboration with Harris County leaders. His strong start demonstrates how clear priorities and transparent communication can quickly build credibility with voters.

• Jacksonville City Council presents a useful reminder that approval ratings don’t just apply to individual leaders. A 2025 University of North Florida poll found the council’s approval at 42%, with a majority of residents expressing disapproval. The results highlight how governing bodies face many of the same accountability pressures as mayors or governors, especially when decisions about public safety, spending, or growth divide communities.

These examples reveal that approval ratings are more than statistics. They’re reflections of leadership in motion. High numbers can grant political capital, low numbers can signal the need for course correction, and both serve as snapshots of the ever-changing relationship between elected officials and the people they serve.

LEARN MORE: Check out community engagement strategies to get into your community and earn your people’s trust. 

Approval Ratings and the Future of Public Trust

Approval ratings can shape headlines, campaigns, and even careers. But the deeper question they raise is one of trust. When citizens believe their leaders listen, act transparently, and communicate clearly, approval tends to rise naturally.

For elected officials, these numbers aren’t just about staying popular; they’re about staying accountable. The best leaders don’t chase approval. They earn it, one decision and one conversation at a time.

With civic tech tools like GoodParty.org Serve, local elected officials can build stronger relationships with their communities by collecting real feedback directly from constituents. By turning insights into action, GoodParty.org Serve empowers leaders to make decisions that reflect real community priorities.

Photo by William Fortunato