In a New York Times/Siena College poll of battleground states, national parties were seen as too far to the right or the left, while nominees were viewed as more moderate.

The poll surveyed voters across 12 swing states, measuring perceptions of party ideology versus candidate moderation. Results indicate a growing perception that the national parties are polarized, while individual candidates appear more centrist.

Voters expressed that the extremes of party platforms may alienate moderate voters, yet the nominees’ moderate stance could mitigate that effect. This split perception could shape campaign messaging and voter turnout in upcoming primaries.

The findings are relevant for campaign strategists and analysts as they navigate a political landscape where party identity and candidate appeal diverge, underscoring the importance of centrist positioning in competitive districts.