As the 2024 presidential election approaches, a significant majority of Americans express readiness to accept the election results, though divisions persist, particularly regarding former President Donald Trump.
Poll findings
According to the poll conducted by ABC News/Ipsos from August 23-27, 81% of Americans say they are prepared to accept the election results regardless of the outcome.In comparison, 68% believe Kamala Harris will accept the results, while only 29% feel the same about Trump.
Support for accepting the election results varies significantly by political affiliation. Nearly all of Harris’ supporters (92%) are ready to accept the outcome, contrasted with 76% of Trump’s supporters. Additionally, 21% of Trump’s backers—translating to about 8% of all adults — are unwilling to accept the election results.
Confidence in election integrity
Confidence in the accuracy of the election count is also split. One-third of Americans (34%) express doubts about whether votes will be counted accurately, a figure unchanged since 2022. About 65% are confident in the vote count, with only 32% being very confident.
This skepticism extends to beliefs about the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election. Thirty-four percent of Americans think Joe Biden did not win legitimately, a figure consistent since his inauguration. Views on election integrity and acceptance of the 2024 results are closely linked. Among those confident in vote accuracy, 92% are prepared to accept this year’s results, compared to 61% of those who lack confidence in the count.
Partisan and ideological divides
Partisan differences are evident in the survey. While 90% of Democrats express confidence in the vote count and 96% believe Biden was legitimately elected, only 48% of Republicans share this confidence, with just 30% acknowledging Biden’s legitimacy. Independents are somewhat in the middle, with 64% confident in the vote count and 66% believing Biden’s win was legitimate.
Ideology also plays a role. Eighty percent or more of liberals, moderates, and somewhat conservatives are prepared to accept the election results. However, only 64% of very conservatives feel the same. Confidence in vote accuracy is lowest among very conservatives (38%) and highest among liberals (89%).
Methodology
The poll, conducted online, surveyed 2,496 adults. The sample reflects partisan divisions of 29% Democrats, 29% Republicans, and 30% independents, with a margin of error of 2 percentage points.
This survey underscores the polarized nature of American politics as the 2024 election approaches, highlighting varying levels of acceptance and confidence across the political spectrum.
Poll findings
According to the poll conducted by ABC News/Ipsos from August 23-27, 81% of Americans say they are prepared to accept the election results regardless of the outcome.In comparison, 68% believe Kamala Harris will accept the results, while only 29% feel the same about Trump.
Support for accepting the election results varies significantly by political affiliation. Nearly all of Harris’ supporters (92%) are ready to accept the outcome, contrasted with 76% of Trump’s supporters. Additionally, 21% of Trump’s backers—translating to about 8% of all adults — are unwilling to accept the election results.
Confidence in election integrity
Confidence in the accuracy of the election count is also split. One-third of Americans (34%) express doubts about whether votes will be counted accurately, a figure unchanged since 2022. About 65% are confident in the vote count, with only 32% being very confident.
This skepticism extends to beliefs about the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election. Thirty-four percent of Americans think Joe Biden did not win legitimately, a figure consistent since his inauguration. Views on election integrity and acceptance of the 2024 results are closely linked. Among those confident in vote accuracy, 92% are prepared to accept this year’s results, compared to 61% of those who lack confidence in the count.
Partisan and ideological divides
Partisan differences are evident in the survey. While 90% of Democrats express confidence in the vote count and 96% believe Biden was legitimately elected, only 48% of Republicans share this confidence, with just 30% acknowledging Biden’s legitimacy. Independents are somewhat in the middle, with 64% confident in the vote count and 66% believing Biden’s win was legitimate.
Ideology also plays a role. Eighty percent or more of liberals, moderates, and somewhat conservatives are prepared to accept the election results. However, only 64% of very conservatives feel the same. Confidence in vote accuracy is lowest among very conservatives (38%) and highest among liberals (89%).
Methodology
The poll, conducted online, surveyed 2,496 adults. The sample reflects partisan divisions of 29% Democrats, 29% Republicans, and 30% independents, with a margin of error of 2 percentage points.
This survey underscores the polarized nature of American politics as the 2024 election approaches, highlighting varying levels of acceptance and confidence across the political spectrum.
