Poll: Trump’s attempts to challenge midterm election integrity are failing

Despite the Trump administration and its Republican allies’ continued attempts to convince the American people that the results of the 2026 midterms cannot be trusted, a new poll suggests the country as a whole and Republicans specifically are not convinced.

The majority of voters, 56%, believe President Donald Trump wants to extend his influence over state election rules to “ensure Republicans win elections, regardless of whether they are free and fair.” The “If you can keep it” and YouGov poll findings also reveal voters overwhelmingly reject Trump’s election-meddling tactics.

Within the survey, voters were given a series of potential scenarios outlining how federal or state officials might respond to the 2026 election process. Overwhelming majorities disapproved of every tactic included.

For example, 75% of voters, including 62% of Republicans, oppose federal or state officials attempting to seize ballots, voting machines, or election records before official counting and vote certification is complete. 

When asked about other tactics, 70% of voters, including 56% of Republicans, oppose the federal government opening criminal investigations into state or local officials in an attempt to pressure them into changing election rules. 

This survey comes shortly after the Department of Justice (DOJ) sued California for refusing to disenfranchise 20,000 voters that the DOJ flagged as potential noncitizens and preemptively challenged Alaska’s election results if anyone other than incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan (R) wins. The survey was conducted Oct. 9-20 and polled 806 voters.

The DOJ has also threatened similar California-style lawsuits aimed at blocking states from counting ballots for the midterm election. 

However, other tactics were more favored by Republicans. Only 24% of Republicans said they oppose ICE agents or other armed federal officials being deployed near polling places compared to 56% of total voters. 

The poll also revealed that despite Trump and his allies peddling unfounded claims aiming to cast doubt on the midterm election’s integrity, most voters are not believing the lies.

Two-thirds of voters said they are confident the midterm elections will be counted correctly and this confidence is reflected across party lines. 62% of Republicans and 74% of Democrats reported they believe votes during this year’s midterms will be counted correctly.