Public concerned about election integrity and post-election protests
Just 36% of Americans believe the 2024 elections will be both honest and open to rightful voters, while 44% have serious doubts about honesty or openness or both. Four out of 10 Americans (41%) believe there will be violent protests no matter who wins, and nearly half (49%) expect violence if Trump loses.
Americans most worried about disinformation from candidates
More than two-thirds of Americans (68%) believe disinformation will affect the outcome of the elections compared with 63% last year. Republican candidates are considered the most likely source of disinformation at 40%, up from 32% in 2023. The news media is in second place at 36%, followed by Democratic candidates at 32%.
Democrats are winning political information wars
Americans were asked to rate different sources of political news and information. As in past years, the highest-rated source is friends and family, with a trust level of 67%. The second most trustworthy source of political news is the Democratic Party with a 42% trust level, surpassing the news media at 40%.
Methodology
This poll was conducted between September 1-September 3, 2024 among a sample of 2,205 Adults. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of Adults based on age, gender, race, educational attainment, region, gender by age, and race by educational attainment. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.
Past Pulse Surveys
Slides and infographics highlighting survey results are available for members to use for company briefings. Our senior staff are also frequently called on to make presentations on topics covered in the Public Affairs Pulse.