A recent poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that American voters are deeply concerned about the potential for political violence, attempts to overturn election results, and the broader implications for democracy in the upcoming presidential election. Nearly 4 in 10 registered voters expressed extreme or very high levels of concern about violent attempts to overturn the election results, legal efforts to do so, and interference by local or state election officials.
Former President Donald Trump, who continues to falsely claim that fraud cost him reelection in 2020, has sown doubts about the integrity of the upcoming election. His supporters and the Republican National Committee have filed lawsuits across the country, possibly laying the groundwork for post-election legal challenges should he lose. Many voters, like Aostara Kaye of Downey, California, are troubled by Trump’s refusal to accept election results and fear that he may not concede if he loses to Vice President Kamala Harris.
There is a stark divide between Democrats and Republicans regarding their expectations for Trump and Harris in terms of conceding the election. While a majority of voters believe the loser of the presidential election is obligated to concede once the votes are counted and legal challenges are resolved, only about one-third of voters expect Trump to accept the results if he loses. On the other hand, voters express more confidence in Harris’s willingness to concede if she loses, with nearly 8 in 10 voters believing she would do so.
The upcoming election has raised concerns among both Democrats and Republicans about the future of American democracy. Approximately half of voters believe that Trump would weaken democracy in the U.S. to some extent if he wins, while a similar percentage express the same concern about Harris. The ideological divide is pronounced, with Republicans viewing Trump’s reelection as a potential strengthening of democracy, while Democrats express fears about the implications of another Trump administration.
The events of January 6th, when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol, have become a focal point in discussions about democracy and the election. Voters are divided along party lines about who is to blame for the attack, with Democrats and independents more likely to hold Trump responsible. The attack, along with ongoing concerns about misinformation and the economy, has influenced voters’ perceptions of the candidates and their potential impact on democracy.
The use of the Electoral College in presidential elections is another divisive issue for voters. About half of voters see the possibility of a candidate winning the Electoral College while losing the popular vote as a major problem in U.S. elections. This issue, like many others, reflects a partisan split, with Democrats more likely to view the Electoral College system as problematic. Overall, the poll highlights the deep divisions among American voters and the anxieties surrounding the upcoming presidential election and its implications for democracy.
