Americans’ Confidence in Election Integrity Wanes Ahead of 2026 Midterms
A recent poll indicates that while a significant majority of Americans still believe their state and local governments will oversee the 2026 midterm elections fairly and accurately, this confidence is beginning to erode. According to the NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll released on Wednesday, two-thirds of Americans report feeling either confident or very confident in the electoral process, yet the number of those expressing skepticism has grown. Currently, 34 percent of respondents indicate they have little or no confidence in election administration—a noticeable increase from 24 percent just a year ago.
This decline in trust emerges amid a backdrop of revived conspiracy theories surrounding alleged voter fraud from the Trump administration, which has been working to tighten federal control over election processes traditionally managed at the state level. For instance, in January, the FBI seized voting records from an election office in Georgia and has recently issued subpoenas for documents related to an election audit in Arizona’s largest county. Additionally, the Justice Department has taken legal action against numerous states, demanding access to unredacted voter rolls.
Amidst these developments, President Donald Trump has made repeated threats to “nationalize” elections, despite the Constitution explicitly granting states the authority to manage their own electoral affairs. This has raised alarms among Democrats, who fear potential federal interference in the upcoming elections, particularly following calls from Trump allies for military and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to be deployed at polling stations. The Marist poll reveals that nearly 75 percent of Republicans support the presence of the National Guard at voting sites, in stark contrast to a similar proportion of Democrats who oppose such measures.
Despite the concerns, a Department of Homeland Security official recently reassured state election officials that federal immigration agents would not be present at polling locations this fall. However, Trump has remained ambiguous regarding the potential deployment of military personnel. In response to rising anxieties, the Democratic National Committee filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, seeking clarification on whether plans exist to send immigration agents or troops to the polls.
While confidence in election integrity remains relatively high among both Democrats and Republicans, the nature of concerns differs sharply across party lines. Democrats predominantly fear that voter suppression poses the greatest threat to fair elections, whereas a majority of Republicans cite voter fraud as their primary concern. This partisan divide reflects deeper ideological rifts in how each group perceives electoral integrity.
The NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll, conducted by telephone from March 2 to 4, surveyed 1,591 adults, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points, larger for specific subgroups. As we approach the midterm elections, the growing distrust among voters underscores the need for transparent electoral processes and effective communication to restore faith in democracy.
