When people discuss politics, they often refer to politicians as being liberal or Democrat. While these terms are generally synonymous, there are a few key differences. First, a person can be considered a Liberal without being a Democrat and vice versa. Liberal is a political ideology that emphasizes equality and freedom. A Democrat is a member of the Democratic Party which is one of the two major political parties in the United States.

A Democrat is in favor of social welfare programs and government intervention to address inequality. They may support environmental protection programs, gun control laws, less strict immigration policies, and worker rights. Typically, a Democrat is in favor of a progressive tax system that moves money away from the wealthy and into the middle class.

While self-identified Democrat voters are now more consistent in their liberalism than Republican voters are in their conservatism, it’s important to remember that not all Democrats are Liberals and not all Liberals are Democrats. For example, many voters choose a candidate based on their policy stances, rather than demographic traits or party affiliation.

When asked about their ideal presidential candidate, our most liberal voters prioritized candidates that support impeaching Trump, women’s rights, and the right to abortion. In contrast, our somewhat liberal and moderate groups placed greater importance on issues like jobs, the environment, and addressing racism. Regardless of their ideological alignment, all our Democratic groups said that a candidate must be compassionate and show that they care about others.