CA Voters Worried About Threats to American Democracy: Poll

BERKELEY, CA — California voters are worried about the state of democracy and have concerns about election integrity amid a new ballot measure that would require photo identification.

The poll, which was released on Friday by UC Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS), indicated about 68 percent of Californians believe democracy is under attack, while 21 percent gauged democracy as under a test. The results showed respondents who identified as Democrats were more likely to believe democracy is under attack, however about 46 percent of Republicans also believed democracy is under attack.

About 33 percent of Democrats were extremely or very satisfied with the way democracy works, and only 4 percent of Republicans said the same about California. About 68 percent of Republicans were not satisfied at all, compared to 10 percent of Democrats.

Researchers said the results are nearly the same as in 2024, despite 2024 governor and presidential elections and the Proposition 50 special election in November.

The poll was conducted April 8 through April 19 on behalf of the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund.

The poll revealed several unexpected results, including 48 percent of respondents saying they were extremely or very confident in the state’s integrity. About 21 expressed moderate confidence, while 29 percent said they didn't have confidence in it.

Last week, a measure that would require voters show photo identification to vote qualified to be on the ballot in November.

RELATED: CA Voter ID Proposal Appears Headed For November 2026 Ballot

Nearly 6,000 Californians responded to the poll, which showed 56 percent strongly or somewhat supported the measure, 39 percent opposed it. When respondents were informed a Republican assemblymember sponsored the measure, support dropped to 39 percent support the measure and 52 percent opposed it.

White voters expressed the greatest percentage confidence among racial groups, with 53 percent either extremely or very confident, compared to 42 percent of Latinos, 48 percent of Black voters, and 46 percent of Asian American voters.

"These results show that California voters broadly agree that American democracy faces deep challenges, but they are deeply divided about the source of these problems and what should be done to resolve them," IGS co-director Eric Schickler said in the report.