Politics, War and Voter Attitudes with Percentages

Voters across the United States express deep concern about political violence and threats to democracy while remaining sharply divided on war, the economy and partisan leadership, according to a series of national polls conducted from 2022 through 2026.

• 73% of voters worry about post-election political violence; 81% see democracy as threatened [2][4].
• Concern about false election claims holds steady at 72%; support for election-denying candidates dropped to 13% [3].
• Americans are evenly divided on Iran: 48% want a peace deal even if unfavorable, 46% want a tougher stance even if it means military action [6].
• Economic disapproval surged: 61% say the country is on the wrong track, up 18 points since January 2025 [6].
• Belief that a U.S. civil war is likely fell from 36.7% to 28.8% between 2022 and 2024 [5].

A Civil Rights Monitor Poll found 73 percent of voters worried about an outbreak of political violence after the November election and 81 percent concerned about threats to democracy, with 93 percent saying they are highly motivated to vote [2]. Liberals reported the highest anxiety at 92 percent, while 68 percent of moderates and 63 percent of conservatives also said they were worried [2]. Seventy-four percent believed political violence is likely because some will not accept election results [2].

Tracking data from the States United Democracy Center showed 72 percent of Americans very or somewhat concerned about false or misleading election claims in June 2024, with only 7 percent not at all concerned [3]. Forty-seven percent felt completely or fairly confident that elections are free, fair and secure, while 36 percent felt slightly or not at all confident [3]. The share of voters who would be more likely to support a candidate who denies election results fell from 19 percent in December 2023 to 13 percent in June 2024 [3].

A Georgetown University Institute of Politics poll conducted by bipartisan firms found 81 percent of respondents believe democracy is currently threatened, with 72 percent agreeing strongly [4]. Fifty-one percent of voters want elected officials to fight for their values rather than compromise, compared with 39 percent who prefer leaders find the best solution [4]. Among Republicans, 48 percent want leaders to fight and 41 percent want compromise; independents split 45 percent fight versus 48 percent compromise [4].

Longitudinal survey data from 2022 to 2024 showed a decline in the share of Americans who somewhat agree that a civil war will occur in the next few years, from 36.7 percent to 28.8 percent, while those who do not agree rose from 47.6 percent to 62.2 percent [5]. The percentage saying violence to stop voter intimidation is never justified increased from 61.2 percent to 68.9 percent over the same period [5]. Those saying violence to stop voter fraud is never justified held steady near 77 percent [5].

On foreign policy, a Reuters/Ipsos poll in April 2026 found Americans split on Iran: 48 percent favored a peace deal even if it results in a worse deal for the United States, while 46 percent preferred pushing for a better deal even if it means resuming military action [6]. Fifty-nine percent said they are not confident that negotiations to end the U.S.-Iran war will bring gas prices down [6]. A POLITICO Poll showed the share of MAGA voters who think the Iran war is worth the economic cost fell to roughly one-third, down from 50 percent in May [7]. Sixty-five percent of Trump voters said the United States should take military action in at least one country [7].

Economic pessimism dominated domestic concerns. The share of Americans saying the national economy is on the wrong track rose to 61 percent in April 2026 from 43 percent in January 2025 [6]. Twenty percent named the economy as the most important problem facing the country, up from 16 percent in March [6]. War and foreign conflicts as a top concern dropped from 14 percent to 8 percent [6]. Three in five Americans believe gas prices in their area have risen more than they actually have, according to a POLITICO analysis [7].

Early voting data in September 2026 showed emerging signs of a Democratic advantage in the midterms [8]. Presidential approval ratings across major polls ranged from 31 percent to 39 percent approve and 61 percent to 69 percent disapprove [8]. A CNN poll found a majority of Americans express fear and concern about artificial intelligence and say government should regulate it more [8]. Thirty-seven percent of Americans say Democrats best represent the working class, while 30 percent say Republicans [7].