Most likely voters in six key battleground states show some level of confidence in their state’s election process, according to recent CNN polling by SSRS. However, a smaller percentage of voters have high confidence, with mistrust primarily driven by supporters of former President Donald Trump. The states surveyed include Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, where two-thirds to three-quarters of likely voters expressed at least some confidence in the accuracy of their state’s voting processes.
Despite overall confidence, there remains a significant political divide on faith in the electoral system, influenced by Trump’s continuous efforts to undermine confidence. Trump has refused to acknowledge his election loss in 2020, making baseless attacks on mail-in voting and threatening election officials. While 71% of Harris supporters are very confident in the accuracy of their state’s voting process, only about 15% of Trump supporters share the same level of confidence. Significant portions of Trump voters lack even modest confidence in the electoral system.
There is a wide variation in confidence levels among Trump supporters across different states, with Georgia and Wisconsin showing slightly higher confidence compared to Nevada, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Michigan. In Georgia, where the state election board has implemented new rules that critics argue could challenge election results, the gap in confidence between Harris and Trump supporters is smaller compared to other states. This reflects the ongoing political polarization around election integrity issues.
The findings are similar to those from two years ago when midterm voters in five of the same states had varying levels of confidence in election accuracy. Recent polls also highlight the divided views on the country’s election system, with Harris supporters more prepared to accept election outcomes compared to Trump supporters. The data suggests growing concerns about whether Trump would concede in case of a loss, with the majority of registered voters believing that the loser of the presidential election has an obligation to accept the results.
Harris supporters consider the upcoming election as a crucial moment for protecting democracy, with a significant percentage viewing it as a referendum on the democratic process itself. In all six states surveyed, Harris supporters prioritize protecting democracy as the most important issue in this year’s election, unlike Trump supporters who prioritize other issues. The polling data reflects the deep political divisions and differing priorities among voters in these battleground states as the election approaches.
Overall, the CNN polling conducted by SSRS provides insight into the confidence levels of likely voters in key battleground states regarding the accuracy of their state’s election processes. The results highlight the impact of political rhetoric on voter beliefs, with Trump supporters exhibiting lower levels of confidence compared to Harris supporters. As the election nears, these divisions will likely continue to shape the outcomes and perceptions of the electoral process in these crucial states.
