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Study Finds Conservatives Skip Ballots When Election Trust Falters

7/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Erin B. Fitz and Kyle L. Saunders found conservatives increase non-voting when they distrust elections.
They analyzed 4,256 2024 National Election Study respondents, measuring ideology from seven policy issues.
Trust was gauged by confidence in officials and vote counting, with liberals’ non-voting staying steady regardless.
A panel of 1,857 respondents from 2020-2024 shows ideology remains stable and predicts later trust and participation.

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Story summary

Erin B. Fitz and Kyle L. Saunders found conservatives increase non-voting when they distrust elections.
They analyzed 4,256 2024 National Election Study respondents, measuring ideology from seven policy issues.
Trust was gauged by confidence in officials and vote counting, with liberals’ non-voting staying steady regardless.
A panel of 1,857 respondents from 2020-2024 shows ideology remains stable and predicts later trust and participation.