NewsKPBS Public MediaSeptember 16, 2026San Diego County
UCSD survey finds fewer than half of Americans trust US elections ahead of 2026 midterms
Photo: KPBS Public Media
A recent survey by UC San Diego researchers found that only 49% of Americans expect the upcoming 2026 midterm elections to be free and fair. Trust has declined across Republicans, Democrats, and Independents following peaks after the 2024 election. The decline is driven by partisan skepticism regarding mail ballots, noncitizen voting, redistricting battles, and the potential presence of immigration enforcement at polling places.
Read the full story at KPBS Public MediaWhy It Matters
The widespread distrust in election integrity directly influences voter motivation and perceptions of democratic institutions ahead of the 2026 .
Key Facts
Each fact below is taken from the article. Click one to see the exact passage.
Who's Mentioned
PersonBrenden Nyhan“Professor of Government at Dartmouth College”OrganizationImmigration and Customs Enforcement“Cited as a source of skepticism for Democratic voters regarding polling location”PersonTed Cruz“Mentioned regarding a 2016 primary campaign contest”OrganizationUniversity of California, San Diego“Institution housing the Center for Transparent and Trusted Elections”OrganizationCenter for Transparent and Trusted Elections“Conducted the survey on election trust”OrganizationDartmouth College“Affiliation of Brenden Nyhan”OrganizationSupreme Court“Blocked a redistricting plan in Missouri”PersonThad Kousser“Co-director of the Center”PersonPresident Trump“Cited regarding statements on election outcomes and mail ballots”