What is Approval Rating?

An approval rating measures the percentage of people who approve of a political leader’s performance in office. It’s one of the most common tools used by pollsters and media outlets to gauge public opinion about elected officials, policies, and government institutions.

Approval ratings are usually determined through opinion polls that ask a representative sample of people whether they “approve” or “disapprove” of how a leader is handling their job. High approval ratings can signal broad public support, while low ratings may indicate dissatisfaction or controversy.

In U.S. politics, presidential approval ratings, like those tracked by Gallup, Pew Research, or FiveThirtyEight, often reflect public sentiment on key issues like the economy, foreign policy, or national unity. However, approval ratings are also tracked locally for governors, mayors, and local government officials to assess their standing among their constituencies.

While useful, approval ratings can fluctuate based on current events and don’t always predict long-term political success. Political polls offer a snapshot of public mood rather than a full picture of performance or impact.