Home · Politics · Sep 19 archive
Americans' Confidence in Midterm Elections Wanes
Confirmed
In Short: A new nationwide poll reveals that fewer than half of Americans believe the upcoming midterm elections will be 'free and fair,' amid a broader decline in confidence in vote counts.
A new nationwide poll reveals that fewer than half of Americans believe the upcoming midterm elections will be 'free and fair,' amid a broader decline in confidence in vote counts.
According to the poll, 49% of respondents said they expected the elections to be free and fair, while 23% did not expect them to be, and 28% were unsure.
Thad Kousser, co-director of the Center for Transparent and Trusted Elections at UC San Diego, linked the findings to a broader era of distrust in civic institutions in the U.S., noting that different political leaders send conflicting signals about the trustworthiness of U.S. elections.
The poll also found that 32% of Democrats, 42% of independents, and 48% of Republicans expressed concern over potential foreign interference in the elections.
More than three-quarters of Americans, including 79% of Democrats, 76% of Republicans, and 75% of independents, are concerned that misleading audio or video 'deepfakes' created using AI will impact the midterms.
Democratic state parties are launching an operation to recruit 10,000 volunteers to guard polling places in case armed federal officers show up, reflecting heightened concerns about election security.
Speaker Mike Johnson announced that House members will return home early for a seven-week campaigning recess before the midterms, delaying a vote on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The House of Representatives will reconvene after the November elections, as lawmakers face growing political pressure on contentious issues like artificial intelligence and tariffs.
President Trump's promise of a $5,000 'dividend' to voters if Republicans retain control of Congress has drawn mixed reactions, with some Republicans welcoming it as a boost for the midterms.
US Catholics, like other Americans, are preparing to vote in the midterms, with guidance from 'Outlines for Clergy Formation on Faithful Citizenship' to help them apply Catholic principles to their voting decisions.
What this adds
The poll highlights a growing divide in trust based on political affiliation, with Democrats and Republicans expressing different levels of concern over election security and foreign interference.
While the poll provides valuable insights, it does not address the specific measures being taken by election officials to ensure the integrity of the voting process.
Background
President Trump has intensified his campaign rhetoric, warning of potential threats from Iran and promising $5,000 to Americans if Republicans retain control of Congress.
What's confirmed
- A new nationwide poll reveals that fewer than half of Americans believe the upcoming midterm elections will be 'free and fair,' amid a broader decline in confidence in vote counts.
- According to the poll, 49% of respondents said they expected the elections to be free and fair, while 23% did not expect them to be, and 28% were unsure.
- Thad Kousser, co-director of the Center for Transparent and Trusted Elections at UC San Diego, linked the findings to a broader era of distrust in civic institutions in the U.S., noting that different political leaders send conflicting signals about the trustworthiness of U.S. elections.
- The poll also found that 32% of Democrats, 42% of independents, and 48% of Republicans expressed concern over potential foreign interference in the elections.
- More than three-quarters of Americans, including 79% of Democrats, 76% of Republicans, and 75% of independents, are concerned that misleading audio or video 'deepfakes' created using AI will impact the midterms.
- Democratic state parties are launching an operation to recruit 10,000 volunteers to guard polling places in case armed federal officers show up, reflecting heightened concerns about election security.
- Speaker Mike Johnson announced that House members will return home early for a seven-week campaigning recess before the midterms, delaying a vote on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
- The House of Representatives will reconvene after the November elections, as lawmakers face growing political pressure on contentious issues like artificial intelligence and tariffs.
- President Trump's promise of a $5,000 'dividend' to voters if Republicans retain control of Congress has drawn mixed reactions, with some Republicans welcoming it as a boost for the midterms.
- US Catholics, like other Americans, are preparing to vote in the midterms, with guidance from 'Outlines for Clergy Formation on Faithful Citizenship' to help them apply Catholic principles to their voting decisions.
What's still developing
- Americans are more confident that ballots, once cast, will be counted accurately, though their trust in that varies depending on their political affiliation — with 63% of Democrats, 58% of Republicans and 49% of independent voters saying they are either “somewhat” or “very” confident in an accurate count, the Center for Transparent and Trusted Elections at UC San Diego poll found.
- Here are the three biggest mistakes Trump is making right now — and how to correct them ASAP.
- This op-ed is a call-to-action that’s executable today — so the Republicans can win the 2026 midterm elections.
- Talarico and Paxton are facing off in a toss-up race that many pundits expect to be one of the closest races of the midterm elections.
- Ted Cruz (R-TX) won their most recent general elections by 8 points, and President Donald Trump won Texas in 2024 for the third time by nearly 14 points.