Tracking confidence in democracy this election season

September 16, 2024
·
5
min read

Surveys reveal bipartisan growing concern over misinformation, political violence

The States United Democracy Center, recipients of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy's Brown Democracy Medal, recently surveyed nearly 8,000 Americans to gauge their attitudes about elections, voting and political violence.

Of the total participants, 41% identify as voters who lean toward the Democratic party, 39% toward the Republican party and 17% as independent voters. The five surveys, conducted from June 2023 to June 2024, found Americans to hold pro-democracy views though there are still concerns about disinformation and the overall quality of American democracy. Here are some of the key findings:

  • Forty-seven percent of participants reported feeling completely or fairly confident that American elections are free, fair and secure. Only 36% said they felt slightly or not at all confident. 
  • Seventy-three percent of respondents either strongly agree or somewhat agree with the statement “It is more important to make sure every legal vote is counted than it is for my preferred candidate for president to win the election in 2024.” 
  • Forty-four percent of participants strongly disagree with the claim that the 2020 election was rigged against Donald Trump while 19% said they strongly agree. Democrats are more likely to disagree that the election was rigged than independents and Republicans.
  • On American views of election fraud, 36% said there is little or no election fraud in the U.S., 31% said there might be fraud, 26% said fraud is a significant problem and 7% said they’re unsure.
  • The majority of Republicans, Democrats and independents (about 72%) report feeling somewhat or very concerned that false or misleading information might affect the outcome of the 2024 election. 
  • Sixty-six percent of respondents said they think political violence has increased over the past few years, with 45% said they recognize political violence as a major problem while 46% said it’s a minor problem or not much of a problem.

Click here to read the full report on "Tracking Attitudes About Elections and Political Violence Over Time."

Let's Find Common Ground: Polarization and political violence: Rachel Kleinfeld

Rachel Kleinfeld, a fellow in the Democracy, Conflict and Governance Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said talking with people across differences isn't enough to end polarization. She suggests institutional change as political violence continues to be on the rise. Listen on to see how fear is being used as a tool by both parties to win votes.

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From The Democracy Group, here are some of our favorite podcasts this week, check them out!

Future Hindsight: Break Up the Two-Party System: Lee Drutman

A The Democracy Group crossover? We love to see it!
Politics In Question's Lee Drutman joined host Mila Atmos to talk about fusion voting and how it better represents the diversity of views in America than the current system. Give it a listen!

Autocracy in America: Start With A Lie

Anne Applebaum (who recently talked with our McCourtney Institute for Democracy) just released her podcast with journalist and author Peter Pomerantsev called "Autocracy in America." This inaugural episode discusses psychological disruption, starting with how a conspiracy theory functions in an autocratic political system.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other: SPECIAL: "They're eating the DAWGS! - Debate Analysis Cross-Over with Faithful Politics Host Will Wright

Who won the presidential debate? Will it matter to voters?
This episode explores both candidates' performance, missed opportunities, the potential of reaching undecided voters and the implications for the 2024 presidential election.

FEATURED EXPERTS

Democracy Fix: Steve Simon on High Turnout, Low Drama

Steve Simon is Minnesota's Secretary of State who also oversees a wide range of services for Minnesota businesses and administers the "Safe at Home" address confidentiality program for people whose personal safety is at risk. Previously, Simon served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for ten years and as Assistant Attorney General of Minnesota. 

The Great Battlefield: Hahrie Han on The Quest for Racial Solidarity in An American Church

Hahrie Han is a political scientist at Johns Hopkins University, Inaugural Director of the SNF Agora Institute and faculty director of the P3 Research Lab. Han is also an award-winning author of four books and her fifth and latest book, Unidived: The Quest for Racial Solidarity in An American Church, will be published next week. She has written for outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post among others.

DON'T MISS OUT ON THE BEST DEMOCRACY PODCAST FOCUSED NEWSLETTER!

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