New polling data reveals that 42% of Donald Trump supporters are convinced the upcoming U.S. presidential election won’t be run fairly, as Trump amplifies his claims of election fraud, urging his base to “Swamp the Vote.” With Election Day around the corner, this sentiment starkly contrasts with that of Kamala Harris supporters, 90% of whom express confidence in a well-run election.
As the Republican National Committee sponsors Trump’s “Swamp the Vote” campaign, the former president’s video message urges supporters to “swamp them with votes” to prevent alleged rigging by Democrats. Trump’s rhetoric claims the only way Democrats win is through cheating, a refrain he first used in 2016 and has since repeated. At recent rallies, Trump has insisted, “We have to have a landslide because they cheat so damn much.”
The Pew Research Center poll conducted from September 30 to October 6 surveyed 4,025 voters, showing deep divides in trust across party lines. While 85% of Harris supporters believe absentee ballots will be counted accurately, only 38% of Trump supporters agree. Trump supporters also express doubts that a clear winner will emerge after votes are tallied, with just 58% confident compared to 85% of Harris backers.
Notably, Trump supporters have more faith in the Supreme Court’s impartiality should it handle election disputes—34% express confidence in neutrality compared to only 6% of Harris supporters. The court’s conservative lean, with six justices appointed by Republican presidents, likely shapes this view.
This latest data highlights a polarization in faith in U.S. democratic processes, one intensified by Trump’s refusal to pledge acceptance of election results. This reluctance, alongside persistent fraud claims, raises questions: Will these deep divides influence voter turnout—or further erode faith in America’s electoral integrity?
