Ready to Vote. Waiting to be heard.

A new national survey of 1,463 U.S. adults aged 18 and over conducted by Centerline Research and Strategy for Better Choices for Democracy from September 26 to October 1, 2026 shows widespread concern about the state of political representation in the United States.

Only 53% of respondents say they are somewhat (32%) or very confident (21%) that the 2026 election will be conducted fairly and accurately. Over one in three voters (35%) are not confident that the election will be fair and accurate. Confidence rises when asked about voting access with 63% saying they are somewhat (33%) or very (30%) confident that all citizens who want to vote will be able to. Respondents are most confident in the accuracy of the vote count, which is conducted by local public servants who administer elections; 65% say they are very (31%) or somewhat (34%) confident that their vote will be counted as intended.

Democrats and Republicans express the same levels of confidence that their own votes will be counted as intended at 74%, and express similar levels of confidence that the election will be conducted fairly and accurately at 67% and 63%, respectively. There is a larger partisan divide in confidence in voting access, with 83% of Republicans expressing confidence that all citizens who want to vote will be able to, compared with 61% of Democrats. Respondents who identify as Independents report the lowest levels of confidence on the three measures: only 38% say they are confident in the fairness, 51% in voter access and 54% in vote counting.

Likely voters show strong intention to vote. Among registered respondents, 74% say they are certain to vote and 12% probably will, for a combined 86%. Age shows the largest gap in intention to vote, with 96% of respondents 65 and older saying they are certain or probably will vote compared to 71% among respondents ages 18-29. Democrats report 92%, Republicans 89%, and the independent/other/unsure group 79%. 

Concern About Elections

Respondents show widespread concern for a range of election system features in the United States. Seven in 10 adults say each of the following is a problem in U.S. elections today: candidates pay too much attention to special interests, voters lack meaningful choice of candidates on the ballot; they feel forced to choose a candidate who is likely to win rather than a candidate that fully represents their views; and the general election feels decided before ballots are even cast.

People Do Not Think Elected Leaders or the Parties Care

In a political system where elected representatives ought to be responsive to the needs of voters, it is concerning that a majority of respondents don’t think their elected leaders, whether local, state or national, care about people like them.

In addition, respondents also don’t think the political parties care about people like them. Party affiliation strongly structures these judgments. Among Republicans, 54% say their party cares a great deal or a lot; among Democrats, 50% say that about theirs. Positive ratings of the opposing party are much lower: 8% of Democrats give that rating to the Republican Party, and 9% of Republicans give it to the Democratic Party. Among respondents who identify as Independents just 14% say the Republican Party cares a great deal or a lot and 16% say the Democratic Party does.

A Better Way? 

Six in ten adults agree that voters deserve a better way to elect their representatives, including 33% of who strongly agree. Only 14% disagree with the idea. 

Take a deeper dive in the data dashboard. 

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