It’s not exactly a vote of confidence in the powers that be: A sizable number of Americans think the undead would do a better job than the brain dead in Washington, D.C.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of American Adults believe the federal government would do a better job than zombies running the country today. But the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that most Americans don’t share that view, with just as many (37%) who feel zombies would do a better job running the country and another 26% who can’t decide between the two. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

These findings are no surprise, given that 64% of Likely U.S. Voters now view the federal government unfavorably, with 34% who have a Very Unfavorable opinion of it.

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Fifty-six percent (56%) of Democrats still pledge allegiance to the federal government, but pluralities of Republicans (45%) and those not affiliated with either major political party (44%) have more confidence in zombies when it comes to running the nation’s affairs.

Only six percent (6%) of all Americans anticipate a zombie apocalypse, so supporters of the federal government can rest easy. Eighty-two percent (82%) do not, but 12% are not sure.

Among those who expect an apocalypse, 74% say they are at least somewhat prepared, with 53% who are Very Prepared.

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 29-30, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Forty-one percent (41%) of Americans nationwide say they have watched a movie like “World War Z” or a TV show like “The Walking Dead” about a zombie apocalypse.

But only five percent (5%) think the recent boom in zombie-based books, films and TV shows is good for society. Thirty-five percent (35%) see this recent popularity as bad for society, while 51% say it has no impact.

Most adults 65 and older think the zombie craze is bad for society. Most younger adults say it has no impact.

Americans ages 18 to 64 express slightly more confidence in zombies to run things than in the federal government. Seniors have more faith in the government.

Men are more likely than women to think zombies would do a better job running the country. Blacks are more than twice as likely as whites and other minority Americans to believe the government would do a better job than zombies.

Americans who expect a zombie apocalypse express a lot less confidence in the federal government.

Just 25% of voters think the country is heading in the right direction, although that’s up from 13% during the recent federal government shutdown.

Fifty-four percent (54%) want a long-term budget deal that cuts federal spending, but 64% expect another shutdown soon because Congress can’t reach such a deal.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of voters consider the federal government a threat to individual rights rather than a protector of those rights.

Additional information from this survey and a full demographic breakdown are available to Platinum Members only.

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