Snapshot 3
Partisan Perceptions
Partisan Perceptions
How political polarization shapes views on election safety and violence
Voters overwhelmingly reject election violence, but partisan divisions shape who they believe is responsible for threats at the ballot box.
While election officials, election workers, and law enforcement work to uphold nonpartisan election security, trust in these institutions is often filtered through a lens of distrust and animosity between political parties, creating gaps in perception that impact voter confidence.
Voters overwhelmingly reject election violence, but partisan divisions shape who they believe is responsible for threats at the ballot box.
While election officials, election workers, and law enforcement work to uphold nonpartisan election security, trust in these institutions is often filtered through a lens of distrust and animosity between political parties, creating gaps in perception that impact voter confidence.
Perceived Threats
Voters Oppose Election Violence–And Blame the Other Side
Americans across the political spectrum stand against election-related violence, with many voters believing that members of the opposing political party are committing acts of violence and harassment at the ballot box.
These perceptions have real effects on voting experiences. The more people believe that members of other political parties support and perpetrate violence, the less safe they feel while voting.
Americans across the political spectrum stand against election-related violence, with many voters believing that members of the opposing political party are committing acts of violence and harassment at the ballot box. These perceptions have real effects on voting experiences. The more people believe that members of other political parties support and perpetrate violence, the less safe they feel while voting.
91%
of voters say they oppose election violence.
of voters say they oppose election violence.
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Americans’ stances toward election-related violence, post-election
Oppose
Neutral
Support
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Republican
91%
7%
2%
Independent/Other
86%
11%
3%
Democrat
91%
7%
2%
Explore attitudes toward election violence in the
Many voters believe that members of the opposing party are the biggest threats to election security.
Many voters believe that members of the opposing party are the biggest threats to election security.
Americans’ awareness of whether each group committed election-related violence, post-election
Yes
Don't know/Not sure
No
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Extremists from other parties
40%
36%
24%
Leaders and supporters of other parties
40%
32%
28%
Other Groups
16%
55%
30%
Voters in general
10%
36%
55%
Election Workers
8%
31%
60%
Leaders and citizens who are independent
8%
42%
50%
Explore perceptions of violence perpetrators in the
The less safe people feel while voting, the more they report being aware of members of the opposing party committing violence.
The less safe people feel while voting, the more they report being aware of members of the opposing party committing violence.
Share of Americans aware of opposing party members committing election-related violence based on personal safety perceptions, post-election
0%
15%
30%
45%
60%
Those who felt unsafe while voting
57%
Those who felt neutral
41%
Those who felt safe while voting
40%
Explore attitudes toward election violence in the
Recommendation 2
Communicate to voters that people across all political parties overwhelmingly reject violence and harassment in voting.
Trust in Officials
Most Voters Believe Election Officials and Law Enforcement are Nonpartisan
Election officials, election workers, and law enforcement indicated on our surveys that they operate with nonpartisan integrity when carrying out election-related responsibilities, considering the needs of all voters, regardless of political affiliation. The data shows that election officials, law enforcement, and election workers place high value on nonpartisan training—a key tool for reinforcing fair election practices.
Voters perceived law enforcement and election administrators as less partisan than state legislators–understandably, given that legislators are elected by their parties. Yet, voters still rated law enforcement and election administrators as much more partisan than those groups of officials rated themselves. While the majority of voters trust election officials to do their jobs fairly, perceptions of bias still persist.
Election officials, election workers, and law enforcement indicated on our surveys that they operate with nonpartisan integrity when carrying out election-related responsibilities, considering the needs of all voters, regardless of political affiliation. The data shows that election officials, law enforcement, and election workers place high value on nonpartisan training—a key tool for reinforcing fair election practices.
Voters perceived law enforcement and election administrators as less partisan than state legislators–understandably, given that legislators are elected by their parties. Yet, voters still rated law enforcement and election administrators as much more partisan than those groups of officials rated themselves. While the majority of voters trust election officials to do their jobs fairly, perceptions of bias still persist.
Most voters trust election officials to act in a nonpartisan manner, but perceptions vary.
Most voters trust election officials to act in a nonpartisan manner, but perceptions vary.
Americans’ perceptions of nonpartisanship of each group of public officials, pre-election
View chart by
Women
Men
Gender-nonconforming
Completely partisan
1
2
3
4
Completely nonpartisan
5
Election officials
3.2
3.2
3.2
Election workers
3.3
3.4
3.6
Law enforcement
3.3
3.4
3.0
State lawmakers
2.9
2.8
2.8
Explore perceptions of nonpartisanship in the
Of the groups of public officials we surveyed, all were in favor of nonpartisanship training, especially election workers and election officials.
Of the groups of public officials we surveyed, all were in favor of nonpartisanship training, especially election workers and election officials.
Public officials’ importance of training about nonpartisanship in election work, pre-election
Not at all important
1
2
3
4
Very important
5
Law enforcement staff
4.0
Law enforcement executives
3.9
Election officials
4.7
Election workers
4.7
Explore the importance of nonpartisanship in the
All groups of public officials reported after the election that they carried out their responsibilities in a nonpartisan manner.
All groups of public officials reported after the election that they carried out their responsibilities in a nonpartisan manner.
Public officials’ perceptions of acting nonpartisan in their election-related work, post-election
Completely partisan
1
2
3
4
Completely nonpartisan
5
Law enforcement staff
4.2
Law enforcement executives
4.4
Election officials
4.3
Election workers
4.5
Explore the importance of nonpartisanship in the
Recommendation 3
Help voters understand that the work of election administrators and law enforcement is nonpartisan, with the needs of all voters in mind.
Data Playground
Explore Partisan Perceptions of Election Violence and Security
View mode
Very unlikely
1
2
3
4
Very likely
5
Members of other party
3.2
Members of own party
1.9
Extremists from other party
3.4
Extremists from own party
2.4
Election workers
1.9
Family members
1.5
Neighbors
1.7
See what safety measures actually work in