With less than two weeks remaining before the midterm elections, a majority of American voters express confidence that the election results will be accurate, according to a recent poll. However, significant concerns persist about efforts to undermine the outcome, especially by Republican actors.
The poll, conducted ahead of the November vote, found that nearly 75% of likely voters across party lines—Democrats, Republicans, and independents—trust that the forthcoming election will be conducted fairly and that results will be accurately counted. This marks a degree of stability in overall public faith in the electoral process even amid heightened political tensions.
Despite this broad confidence, 23% of respondents now doubt the accuracy of the election outcome, an increase from 17% who expressed similar skepticism regarding the 2024 presidential election. The rise in mistrust aligns with ongoing claims of widespread election fraud promoted by former President Donald Trump and members of his administration, although these assertions have consistently lacked substantiating evidence.
Half of those surveyed voiced worry that Republicans might attempt to illegally overturn the election results—a significantly higher figure than the 31% concerned about potential actions by Democrats. Among Democrats, 86% are apprehensive about Republican efforts to subvert the results, as do just over half of independents. Republicans, in contrast, largely worry about illegal voting—85% said they feared some individuals might cast votes unlawfully, whereas 86% of Democrats were more concerned that eligible voters could be disenfranchised.
In the lead-up to the midterms, the Trump administration has emphasized efforts to remove noncitizens from voter rolls despite expert assessments indicating that illegal voting by noncitizens is extremely rare. This shift in focus appears to have influenced voter concerns; more now worry about eligible voters being prevented from participating than about voter fraud, reversing trends seen during the 2024 presidential election cycle.
The poll also underscores broad, bipartisan apprehension about the state of American democracy. More than 75% of respondents believe democracy itself is under threat, a view that has remained fairly consistent since 2022. Despite deep political divisions, large majorities in both parties—78% of Republicans and 75% of Democrats—continue to see members of the opposing party as fellow Americans with differing political views rather than as enemies. Nonetheless, the share of those perceiving political opponents as “the enemy” has increased modestly since 2024, reaching around 20% in both parties.
Nearly 60% of voters feel the nation is too divided to effectively address its challenges, a notable shift from earlier years when a majority maintained optimism about the country’s ability to overcome partisan divides. Many Americans report strained personal relationships across the political spectrum, reflecting the growing polarization.
These findings highlight the complex mix of confidence and anxiety surrounding the midterm elections, with voters expressing both trust in the electoral system’s integrity and concern about the potential for political interference.