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Poll Reveals Deep Partisan Divide in Election Trust as Midterms Approach
President Donald Trump’s multi-year campaign questioning the integrity of U.S. elections has gained significant traction with American voters, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, potentially setting the stage for election misinformation ahead of November’s critical midterm contests.
The six-day survey, completed Monday, reveals stark partisan divisions over election trust, with Republicans overwhelmingly embracing unsubstantiated claims about widespread voter fraud while Democrats remain confident in electoral systems.
The poll found that 46% of Americans believe large numbers of fraudulent ballots are cast by non-citizens in U.S. elections – a claim that has persisted despite extensive research finding such fraud to be extremely rare. This belief shows a dramatic partisan split, with 82% of Republicans agreeing compared to just 18% of Democrats and 38% of independents.
Mail-in voting, which expanded significantly during the 2020 presidential election amid the COVID-19 pandemic, remains a particular concern for Republicans. About 53% of all respondents expressed worry about fraudulent mail-in or absentee ballots, including 83% of Republicans versus 33% of Democrats.
“People are responding to them, particularly Republicans, because they’re listening to the leaders that they trust, and it’s creating this vulnerability in people to believe lies about the election,” said Kelly Rader, research director at States United Democracy Center, a nonpartisan group that works to safeguard election integrity.
The findings suggest many Americans may be primed to accept claims of electoral wrongdoing in November, when Democrats are favored to reclaim control of the House of Representatives while control of the Senate remains in play. The election comes amid voter concerns over the ongoing war with Iran and persistent inflation pressures.
Perhaps most concerning for democratic institutions, 63% of Republicans continue to believe Trump’s false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from him – a figure that has remained largely unchanged despite multiple court rulings, audits, and investigations finding no evidence of significant fraud. By contrast, only 9% of Democrats and 21% of independents believe the 2020 election was decided by wrongdoing.
The survey did reveal some areas of bipartisan agreement. A substantial 77% of Americans support requiring voters to show official identification, including 63% of Democrats and 95% of Republicans. However, the poll did not specifically address stricter Republican-proposed measures currently being debated in Congress.
One such measure, the SAVE Act, would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register or update voter registration for federal elections. While the bill has passed the House, it faces significant opposition in the Senate where Democrats have warned it could lead to voter disenfranchisement. Already, 23 mostly Republican-led states have adopted provisions similar to those in the bill.
Despite deep partisan divides over election integrity in general, a silver lining emerged in the poll: Americans across party lines expressed confidence that their own ballots would be counted correctly. Approximately 79% of Democrats and 71% of Republicans said they are generally confident their votes will be tallied as intended.
“These conspiracy theories about elections have not caused people to lose faith that their own vote will be counted as they intended,” noted Rader, adding that this personal confidence correlates strongly with voter turnout.
The poll also explored attitudes toward security presence at polling locations, revealing limited support for Trump’s suggestion of deploying troops to polling places. Only 28% of Americans backed such a measure, with Republicans split (45% in favor, 54% opposed). However, 62% of Republicans supported having federal law enforcement present at polling locations, compared with 23% of Democrats and 36% of independents.
The Reuters/Ipsos online poll surveyed 4,557 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of 2 percentage points.
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17 Comments
This poll highlights the urgent need to strengthen public trust in the electoral process. While some skepticism is understandable, unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud are deeply concerning. Fact-based efforts to secure elections and promote civic engagement should be a top priority.
This poll reinforces the need for continued education and open dialogue around election integrity. Voters deserve accurate, nonpartisan information to make informed decisions. Robust civic engagement and a shared commitment to democratic norms are essential going forward.
This poll highlights the urgent need for a renewed commitment to democratic norms and institutions. Restoring bipartisan consensus on election integrity should be a top priority for leaders across the political spectrum. Fact-based, transparent efforts to secure the electoral process are essential.
The findings on the partisan divide over election integrity are deeply concerning. Maintaining public trust in the democratic process should be a nonpartisan imperative. I hope to see leaders from both parties work together to address legitimate issues while combating harmful misinformation.
The findings on mail-in voting concerns are also troubling. While some skepticism is understandable, it’s important that voters have confidence in the security and reliability of all voting methods. Fair and transparent elections are the foundation of a functioning democracy.
I agree. Maintaining public trust in elections is critical, regardless of political affiliation. It’s incumbent on leaders and election officials to address legitimate concerns while combating misinformation.
The findings on voter distrust ahead of the midterms are troubling. Maintaining confidence in the integrity of elections is essential for the health of American democracy. I hope to see leaders from both parties work to address legitimate concerns while combating harmful misinformation.
This poll highlights the urgent need to strengthen public trust in the electoral process. While some skepticism is understandable, unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud are deeply concerning. Fact-based efforts to secure elections and promote civic engagement should be a top priority.
The findings on voter distrust ahead of the midterms are troubling. Maintaining confidence in the integrity of elections is essential for the health of American democracy. I hope to see leaders from across the political spectrum work to address legitimate concerns while combating misinformation.
It’s concerning to see such a stark partisan divide over something as fundamental as trust in elections. Restoring faith in the democratic process should be a priority for leaders across the political spectrum. Fact-based, transparent efforts to secure elections are crucial.
I agree. Addressing misinformation and rebuilding bipartisan consensus on election integrity is vital. Voters deserve confidence that their voices are heard, regardless of political affiliation.
This poll highlights the stark partisan divide over election integrity in the US. It’s concerning to see such a high percentage of Republicans embracing unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud. Restoring trust in the electoral process is crucial for the health of American democracy.
The findings on mail-in voting concerns are particularly concerning. While some degree of skepticism is understandable, unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud undermine the integrity of the electoral process. Addressing legitimate issues while combating misinformation should be a top priority.
I agree. Maintaining confidence in the security and reliability of all voting methods, including mail-in ballots, is crucial for a functioning democracy. Fact-based, nonpartisan efforts to address concerns and promote civic engagement are essential.
This poll reflects the troubling erosion of faith in American elections. Restoring trust in the democratic process should be a nonpartisan imperative. Fact-based, transparent efforts to secure elections and combat misinformation are essential for the health of our republic.
The partisan divide over election integrity is worrying. Maintaining public confidence in the democratic process is crucial, regardless of one’s political affiliation. I hope to see leaders from across the spectrum work together to address legitimate concerns and combat misinformation.
This poll reflects the troubling erosion of faith in American elections. Restoring trust in the democratic process should be a priority for all citizens, regardless of political affiliation. Fact-based, transparent efforts to secure elections and promote civic engagement are crucial.