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Most North Carolinians Expect Political Violence Before 2026 Election, But Reject Candidates Who Violate Democratic & Electoral Principles
Most express broad concern about political violence, yet most remain confident elections will occur as scheduled and say they would reject candidates who violate core principles
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, North Carolinians express significant concern about the state of American democracy. Nearly two-thirds say political violence is likely before November’s general election. Yet broad bipartisan majorities still expect the election to occur as scheduled, and most voters say they would be less likely to support candidates who violate democratic and electoral principles, according to the June 2026 Catawba College-YouGov Survey.
The survey also finds a cautionary pattern: while most Democrats and Republicans reject candidates who violate electoral or democratic principles, a committed minority of partisans say they would be more likely to support candidates who engage in such conduct when it benefits their own side.
“Taken together, these findings paint a nuanced picture as North Carolina prepares for the mid-term general campaign,” said Dr. Michael Bitzer, professor of politics and history at Catawba College and director of the Center for North Carolina Politics & Public Service, which wrote and paid for the survey administered by YouGov.
“North Carolinians are worried about political violence, but they have not lost confidence in the electoral process itself. And while most voters reject candidates who violate democratic norms, the willingness of a committed minority of partisans to overlook those behaviors serves as an important cautionary signal.”
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