New Poll Shows Increasing National Division

A George Washington University poll conducted between June 4 and June 23 by YouGov of 1,753 registered voters across the country demonstrates the growing divide among Americans’ attitudes towards the government, including the finding that Republicans have much less confidence in election security than Democrats.

Republican voters in states that went for President Trump in 2020 have greater confidence in their state and local election procedures than those who live in states won by President Biden.

When asked if respondents supported the possible use of force to preserve the “traditional American way of life,” 55 percent of Republicans said they did. Only 15 percent of Democrats agreed that they did.

The poll asked if respondents thought a time would come when “patriotic Americans have to take the law into their own hands.” Among Republicans, 47 percent agreed with the statement. Only 9 percent of Democrats thought that time would come.

The poll also highlighted the differences in the issues that voters in each party consider most important.

“Asked if addressing the COVID-19 pandemic is very or somewhat important, 61 percent of Republicans agreed, 94 percent of Democrats agreed.”

“Asked if addressing race in this country is very or somewhat important, 43 percent of Republicans agreed, 92 percent of Democrats agreed.”

“Asked if changing the nation’s gun laws is very or somewhat important, 21 percent of Republicans agreed, 83 percent of Democrats agreed.”

“Asked if dealing with global climate change is very or somewhat important, 28 percent of Republicans agreed, 91 percent of Democrats agreed.”

“Asked if strengthening the nation’s economy is very or somewhat important, 98 percent of Republicans agreed, 89 percent of Democrats agreed.”

Only 44 percent of Republicans have either a “great deal” or a “fair amount” of trust in their state election administrators, while 76 percent of Democrats said they did. In states won by Biden in 2020, only 24 percent of Republicans have trust in election administrators. In those Biden states, 95 percent of Democrats said they trusted their elected officials.

Voters were asked about their overall confidence in the accuracy of the 2020 election results. Only 20 percent of Republicans said they were confident, compared with 90 percent of Democrats.

As for confidence in the integrity of the upcoming 2022 midterm elections, only 28 percent of Republicans said they were confident. That is down from a 46 percent confidence level for Republicans before the 2020 election.

When asked if they agree with the statement, “It is hard to trust the results of elections when so many people will vote for anyone who offers a handout,” 82 percent of Republicans said they did.