Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Make a sustaining gift today to support local journalism!
Election Website: campaign.nhpr.orgPolling Locations

Poll: N.H. Voters More Concerned About Fraud Around The U.S. Than At Home

voting booth
NHPR

A new poll from the University of New Hampshire says many New Hampshire residents don't think voter fraud has an impact on local elections.

The latest Granite State Poll tackles a topic that's been front of mind for many New Hampshire residents lately, especially Republicans. 

President Donald Trumphas insisted there was considerable voter fraudin the last election, and he's created a special commission to investigate the integrity of US elections. The commission met at Saint Anselm College in September.

Andy Smith, director of the UNH Survey center, said some of the findings in this new poll weren't too suprising. 

For example,  75 percent of New Hampshire Republicans and 59 percent of Independents polled said they believe voter fraud is a serious problem in the country, while just 31 percent of Democrats agree.

According to the poll, self-described conservatives, people who voted for Donald Trump, or did not vote in the last election, people who watch Fox News, people with a high school education or less and people who primarily get their news through social media were most likely to say voter fraud is a serious problem in the U.S.

Smith said Republicans have a history of being worried about voter fraud, including during President Kennedy’s election in 1960.

Smith said he was "comforted" that the poll showed most people in New Hampshire have faith in the integrity of their local ballot boxes.

"In every state in the country there’s gonna be some voter fraud, but I think that most people in New Hampshire think, 'yeah, it may be happening, but it’s not happening with such regularity that it’s causing us to have the outcomes of our elections influenced by it.'"

Only a third of New Hampshire residents polled said they believe voter fraud is a very serious or somewhat serious problem in the Granite State.

The survey also found that just over half of New Hampshire people polled support a much debated voting law, known as SB3, that requires proof of residence from voters who register close to the election. Though 24 percent shared that they didn't know enough to say.

You can find the full survey results here

Lauren is a Senior Reporter/Producer for NHPR's narrative news unit, Document.
Related Content

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.