A recent poll reveals strong public support for transparency, accuracy, and verification in the election process, with the following key findings:
- Access to Information for Verification: 86% of respondents agree that election officials should have access to all necessary information to verify that the number of ballots cast matches the number of voters.
2. Verification Before Certification: 85% believe that election officials should verify the accuracy of the information they receive before signing off on certifying election results.
3. Role of Bipartisan Election Boards: A majority (79%) agree that bipartisan election boards should be fully informed and take steps to ensure results are accurate before certifying elections, as opposed to being merely ministerial (13%).
4. Trust in Election Officials: Only 37% of respondents trust election officials as the most accurate source of information about the election process. This indicates a need for increased transparency to build greater public confidence.
5.Reconciliation Requirement: 84% agree that reconciliation of the total number of voters and ballots should be required before certifying election results, and 78% prioritize reconciling these numbers even if it delays the final certification over focusing on certifying quickly (15%).
Additional findings from the poll include:
Confidence in Vote Counting: 75% of respondents are confident or somewhat confident that votes will be counted correctly across all states.
Timeliness and Transparency of Results: While 58% expect election results within 24 hours of the polls closing, 87% believe that if it takes longer, election officials should explain the reason for the delay.
Bipartisan Oversight: An overwhelming 94% say it is important that representatives of both political parties are present at every step of the vote counting and certification process.
Views on Voting Policies:
- 64% agree that early voting should be limited to one week before the election.
- 65% believe in-person voting should be required for most people, except for those who are elderly, disabled, hospitalized, or otherwise unable to vote in person.
- 74% support only sending mail-in ballots to those who request them.
- 75% agree that election officials should compare voter rolls with other state databases to remove individuals who have moved.
- 83% agree that proof of citizenship should be required when registering to vote.
The poll reflects a strong demand for transparency and accuracy in election processes. 84% agree that reconciliation of the total number of voters and ballots should be required before certifying election results. The overwhelming support for election officials to verify and reconcile all information before certifying results (86% and 85%, respectively) highlights the public's desire for thoroughness over speed. Additionally, 79% believe bipartisan boards should actively ensure accuracy, and only 37% currently trust election officials as the primary source of reliable information. These findings indicate that steps to improve transparency, enhance verification, and maintain bipartisan oversight are key to increasing public confidence in election integrity.
