Partisans Split Over Voter Access and Security

A nationwide Pew survey finds broad overall confidence that the 2026 midterms will be run competently, but Democrats and Republicans differ sharply on what they worry about: Democrats are far more confident that ineligible (noncitizen) votes would be stopped, while Republicans are more confident that all eligible voters can cast ballots. The share of voters planning to vote by mail has fallen from recent years — notably among Democrats — suggesting behavioral as well as perceptual shifts. — These diverging perceptions can undermine a shared acceptance of results and will shape policy fights over mail voting, ID rules, and election administration ahead of future contests.