Publication date: September 13th, 2024
Written by: Travis N. Taylor PHD
While inflation, the economy, the border, and immigration remain top issues for voters heading into the 2024 presidential election, an overwhelming majority (86%) of voters are concerned with safeguarding American elections. Moreover, voters—on a broadly bipartisan basis—support specific reforms to bolster election security and improve government accountability through elections.
Voters say American elections should be open only to American citizens and support requiring voters to prove their identity. |
87%
…of likely voters support requiring an individual to be a U.S. citizen to vote in American elections. While elites in Washington want to make this a partisan issue, voters do not see it that way. Citizen-only voting is supported by 92% of Republicans and 83% of Democrats, with 86% of Independent voters in agreement.
84%
…of likely voters support requiring a valid, government-issued ID for in-person voting. Support for strict voter ID laws also cuts across party lines with about 8 in 10 voters expressing support, regardless of their party affiliation. |
Voters recognize that clean voter rolls are critical for ensuring election integrity.
82%
…of likely voters say state election agencies should be required to issue an annual report to the state legislature detailing voter roll maintenance. Requiring legislative reporting is not only instrumental to election security, but it also promotes transparency in government and holds unelected bureaucrats accountable to elected officials.
78%
…of likely voters support holding school board elections at the same time as other statewide or federal general elections. With minimal differences between partisan voters on this issue, on-cycle school board elections have broad appeal to voters. Given that school board election turnout is often abysmal, this would provide voters with a more meaningful opportunity to weigh in on important local issues. |
The Bottom Line
Election integrity is critical to American democracy. On a broadly bipartisan basis, voters recognize the importance of election integrity, express overwhelming concern for ensuring it, and support reforms to help bring it about. Policymakers, regardless of party affiliation, have the opportunity to respond to voters’ concerns by passing meaningful election integrity reforms.