Special Report

Biden's Approval Rating Fell the Most in These States

Samuel Stebbins

Published: January 9, 2024 10:31 am

In April 2023, President Joe Biden announced plans to run for a second term. There is currently one other potential candidate, Rep. Dean Philips (D-Minn.) who filed for paperwork in late 2023, but Biden has been the presumptive Democratic candidate in the 2024 race for the White House. His success on Election Day will largely hinge on Americans’ assessment of his job performance during his first four years in office. At the moment, public opinion has not been moving in Biden’s favor and polls are showing that it may appear rather grim. 

Biden had the approval of a majority of American voters throughout the first eight months of his presidency, according to survey and data services company Morning Consult. However, in the last two years, Biden’s approval rating has been underwater, with a larger share of Americans disapproving of his presidency. 

Immediately following the August 2021 withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, the shift in public opinion toward the Biden administration began. Although the United States’ decision to end its military presence in Afghanistan was a popular one, the administration’s execution was widely criticized, as it ultimately resulted in a refugee crisis and the re-ascension of the Taliban. This chaotic military withdrawal has done nothing to help Biden’s job performance, and it has yet to recover.  

Since taking office, Biden’s approval rating has fallen in each of the 50 states. 24/7 Wall St. identified the states where Biden’s approval rating has fallen the most so far in his presidency by using state-level survey data from Morning Consult. States are ranked by the change in the share of registered voters who approve of Biden’s handling of the job from when he took office in the first quarter of 2021 through the first quarter of 2023, the most recent available data.

The president’s approval rating has fallen anywhere from 3 percentage points to as many as 16 depending on the state. Many of the states where Biden’s approval rating has fallen the most during his first two years in office are states he won in the last presidential election. In Massachusetts and Vermont, for example, Biden won 65.6% and 66.1% of the popular vote, respectively – his two best performances at the state level. In each of these states, his popularity has plummeted by 15 points. (Here is a look at which Americans have the highest and lowest Biden approval ratings.)

Voter sentiment is not set in stone and with more than a year until the presidential election, much can change. Republican voters have yet to nominate a candidate but this choice could also play a decisive role in the outcome of the 2024 election. (Here is a look at the most important political issues to American voters.)

Biden’s approval rating fell the most in these states.

See below for our detailed methodology.

50. Wyoming

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -3 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 30% approve; 67% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 27% approve; 71% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (26.6% Biden, 69.9% Trump)

49. Alaska

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -4 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 47% approve; 41% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 43% approve; 52% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (42.8% Biden, 52.8% Trump)

48. Montana

Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -4 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 42% approve; 52% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 38% approve; 59% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (40.5% Biden, 56.9% Trump)

47. South Dakota

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -6 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 39% approve; 57% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 33% approve; 65% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (35.6% Biden, 61.8% Trump)

46. Idaho

Source: Seibel Photography LLC / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -6 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 39% approve; 56% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 33% approve; 65% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (33.1% Biden, 63.9% Trump)

45. Oklahoma

The eclectically rotund Skirvi... (CC BY 2.0) by Matthew Rutledge

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -6 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 36% approve; 56% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 30% approve; 67% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (32.3% Biden, 65.4% Trump)

44. Hawaii

Source: okimo / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -7 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 60% approve; 25% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 53% approve; 44% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (63.7% Biden, 34.3% Trump)

43. West Virginia

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -8 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 33% approve; 59% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 25% approve; 73% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (29.7% Biden, 68.6% Trump)

42. Tennessee

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -8 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 42% approve; 52% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 34% approve; 63% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (37.5% Biden, 60.7% Trump)

41. Illinois

University of Illinois (CC BY 2.0) by Kevin Dooley

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -9 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 58% approve; 36% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 49% approve; 48% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (57.5% Biden, 40.6% Trump)

40. Nebraska

Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -9 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 40% approve; 54% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 31% approve; 67% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (39.4% Biden, 58.5% Trump)

39. Alabama

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -9 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 40% approve; 52% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 31% approve; 66% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (36.6% Biden, 62% Trump)

38. South Carolina

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -9 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 46% approve; 47% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 37% approve; 60% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (43.4% Biden, 55.1% Trump)

37. Kentucky

Source: alexeys / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -9 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 40% approve; 52% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 31% approve; 66% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (36.2% Biden, 62.1% Trump)

36. Wisconsin

Source: JenniferPhotographyImaging / E+ via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -9 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 51% approve; 44% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 42% approve; 55% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (49.4% Biden, 48.8% Trump)

35. Indiana

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -9 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 43% approve; 50% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 34% approve; 63% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (41% Biden, 57% Trump)

34. Rhode Island

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -10 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 58% approve; 37% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 48% approve; 48% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (59.4% Biden, 38.6% Trump)

33. New Hampshire

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -10 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 52% approve; 43% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 42% approve; 57% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (52.7% Biden, 45.4% Trump)

32. Louisiana

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -10 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 47% approve; 47% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 37% approve; 59% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (39.9% Biden, 58.5% Trump)

31. Georgia

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -10 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 53% approve; 41% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 43% approve; 54% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (49.5% Biden, 49.3% Trump)

30. California

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -10 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 64% approve; 29% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 54% approve; 42% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (63.5% Biden, 34.3% Trump)

29. Oregon

Source: jbentley09 / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -11 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 57% approve; 36% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 46% approve; 51% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (56.5% Biden, 40.4% Trump)

28. Kansas

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -11 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 46% approve; 47% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 35% approve; 62% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (41.6% Biden, 56.2% Trump)

27. Mississippi

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -11 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 46% approve; 46% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 35% approve; 61% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (41.1% Biden, 57.6% Trump)

26. Nevada

Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -11 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 52% approve; 42% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 41% approve; 55% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (50.1% Biden, 47.7% Trump)

25. Connecticut

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -11 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 60% approve; 34% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 49% approve; 48% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (59.3% Biden, 39.2% Trump)

24. Washington

Source: gmc3101 / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -11 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 60% approve; 35% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 49% approve; 48% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (58% Biden, 38.8% Trump)

23. Minnesota

Source: Davel5957 / E+ via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -11 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 54% approve; 40% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 43% approve; 54% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (52.4% Biden, 45.3% Trump)

22. Arizona

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -11 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 51% approve; 43% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 40% approve; 57% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (49.4% Biden, 49.1% Trump)

21. Missouri

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -11 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 45% approve; 48% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 34% approve; 62% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (41.4% Biden, 56.8% Trump)

20. North Carolina

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -11 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 50% approve; 43% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 39% approve; 58% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (48.6% Biden, 49.9% Trump)

19. Michigan

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -11 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 52% approve; 41% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 41% approve; 56% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (50.6% Biden, 47.8% Trump)

18. Ohio

Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -11 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 48% approve; 45% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 37% approve; 60% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (45.2% Biden, 53.3% Trump)

17. Pennsylvania

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -11 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 52% approve; 43% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 41% approve; 56% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (50% Biden, 48.8% Trump)

16. Texas

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -11 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 49% approve; 43% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 38% approve; 58% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (46.5% Biden, 52.1% Trump)

15. Arkansas

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -11 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 40% approve; 52% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 29% approve; 67% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (34.8% Biden, 62.4% Trump)

14. New York

Source: TomasSereda / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -12 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 62% approve; 31% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 50% approve; 47% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (60.9% Biden, 37.7% Trump)

13. Florida

Source: Art Wager / E+ via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -12 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 51% approve; 42% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 39% approve; 57% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (47.9% Biden, 51.2% Trump)

12. Virginia

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -12 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 56% approve; 38% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 44% approve; 53% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (54.1% Biden, 44% Trump)

11. Maine

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -13 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 53% approve; 41% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 40% approve; 57% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (53.1% Biden, 44% Trump)

10. Utah

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -13 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 45% approve; 47% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 32% approve; 65% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (37.6% Biden, 58.1% Trump)

9. New Mexico

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -14 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 58% approve; 37% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 44% approve; 52% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (54.3% Biden, 43.5% Trump)

8. Colorado

Source: milehightraveler / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -14 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 57% approve; 38% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 43% approve; 54% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (55.4% Biden, 41.9% Trump)

7. Maryland

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -14 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 66% approve; 28% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 52% approve; 44% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (65.4% Biden, 32.2% Trump)

6. New Jersey

Source: Ultima_Gaina / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -14 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 59% approve; 35% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 45% approve; 51% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (57.3% Biden, 41.4% Trump)

5. North Dakota

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -15 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 40% approve; 52% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 25% approve; 71% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (31.8% Biden, 65.1% Trump)

4. Vermont

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -15 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 66% approve; 26% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 51% approve; 44% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (66.1% Biden, 30.7% Trump)

3. Iowa

Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -15 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 48% approve; 46% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 33% approve; 64% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Trump (44.9% Biden, 53.1% Trump)

2. Massachusetts

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -15 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 65% approve; 29% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 50% approve; 46% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (65.6% Biden, 32.1% Trump)

1. Delaware

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

• Change in Biden approval rating to date: -16 pp.
• Biden popularity at the beginning of presidency: 62% approve; 32% disapprove
• Biden popularity in 2023: 46% approve; 50% disapprove
• 2020 presidential election winner: Biden (58.7% Biden, 39.8% Trump)

Methodology

To determine the states where President Joe Biden’s popularity has fallen the most, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed presidential approval ratings at the state level from Morning Consult, a public opinion data research company. States were ranked by percentage the point change in the share of registered voters who approve of Biden’s job as president from the beginning of his term in the first quarter of 2021 to the first quarter of 2023, the most recent available data. 

Data on the 2020 presidential election results by state is from The Cook Political Report, an independent, nonpartisan, political analysis newsletter.