AP-NORC Poll: GOP Trust in Election Accuracy Rebounds After Trump Win/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A new AP-NORC poll reveals a sharp rise in Republicans’ trust in the accuracy of U.S. elections following Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential win. About 6 in 10 Republicans now express confidence in the vote count, a significant increase from just 2 in 10 before the election.
Election Confidence Trends: Quick Looks
- Republican Confidence Soars: 60% of Republicans trust the 2024 election results, up from 20% pre-election.
- National Trust Improves: 6 in 10 Americans express confidence in election accuracy, up from half in October.
- Local Election Officials Trusted: 70% of Americans, including Republicans, have faith in local vote counts.
- Democratic Dip: Confidence among Democrats in the national vote count fell slightly to 60%.
- Historical Contrast: Skepticism after Trump’s 2020 loss led to Capitol riots and widespread doubt among GOP voters.
AP-NORC Poll: GOP Trust in Election Accuracy Rebounds After Trump Win
Deep Look
Republican confidence in U.S. elections has rebounded significantly following Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential victory, according to a new poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The survey highlights a sharp reversal in sentiment, with about 60% of Republicans now expressing high confidence that the votes were counted accurately nationwide. Before the election, only 20% of Republicans shared this belief.
This newfound trust extends to state and local levels, with two-thirds of Republicans confident in their state’s election processes, up from 40% in October. Trust in local election officials has also surged, with 70% of Republicans expressing confidence compared to 50% before the election.
Shift in National Sentiment
The poll reveals a broader improvement in Americans’ trust in election integrity. Roughly 60% of respondents now say they have a “great deal” or “quite a bit” of confidence in the accuracy of the 2024 election, up from about half in October.
This marks a stark contrast to the aftermath of Trump’s 2020 loss, when skepticism about election security among Republicans reached a fever pitch. Fueled by Trump’s baseless claims of voter fraud, many GOP voters doubted Joe Biden’s legitimacy, leading to the January 6 Capitol riots.
Democratic Concerns
While Republican trust in elections has risen, Democrats’ confidence in the national vote count has slightly declined, falling from 70% to 60%. This shift may reflect concerns about Trump’s return to power rather than doubts about the election process itself. Democratic confidence in state-level counts, however, remains steady.
Trump’s Influence
Trump’s narrative about election integrity has shifted dramatically following his victory. Pre-election, he cast doubt on the electoral process, suggesting potential fraud if he lost. However, his win appears to have eased these concerns among GOP voters.
Despite Trump’s persistent claims of a stolen 2020 election, there were no indications of irregularities in the 2024 vote. State audits, recounts, and reviews from both Republican and Democratic officials affirmed the integrity of the 2020 results, laying the groundwork for increased trust in 2024.
Impact on Local Election Officials
The heightened trust in 2024 comes as a relief to election administrators, many of whom faced threats and harassment after the 2020 election. Veteran officials resigned in droves, citing safety concerns and burnout. The recent poll suggests a potential easing of hostilities, with broader support for local election authorities.
Historical Context
The rise in GOP confidence highlights the influence of election outcomes on voter trust. Following Trump’s 2020 defeat, two-thirds of Republicans doubted Biden’s legitimacy, fostering widespread distrust in U.S. elections. In contrast, Vice President Kamala Harris quickly conceded her 2024 loss to Trump, avoiding the kind of partisan backlash that characterized the previous election cycle.
Looking Ahead
While Republican confidence has rebounded, the slight dip among Democrats underscores lingering political divisions. Ensuring continued trust in U.S. elections will require bipartisan efforts to maintain transparency and address voter concerns.
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