An Update from the Center for North Carolina Politics & Public Service
In the final month of the 2026 campaign, North Carolinians overwhelmingly reject the use of threats, intimidation, and violence in elections, but substantial majorities believe political violence is at least somewhat likely around November’s election, according to the September 2026 Catawba College-YouGov Survey.
More than nine in 10 North Carolinians say it is important that threats, intimidation, and violence never be used to influence how elections are conducted, counted, or certified. Similar shares say voters, candidates, and election workers should be able to participate without fear of threats, harassment, or violence.
Despite broad agreement that political violence is unacceptable, substantial shares of North Carolinians believe it could occur around an election. Six in 10 see it as at least somewhat likely before the election in North Carolina, and a similar share expect it afterward. Concern is somewhat higher when respondents consider the likelihood of political violence elsewhere in the country: 64% said violence is likely before the election elsewhere in the country, while 65% say it is likely after the election.
“The clearest finding is that North Carolinians across party lines reject the use of threats, intimidation, and violence in elections,” said Michael Bitzer, director of Catawba College’s Center for North Carolina Politics & Public Service, which wrote and commissioned the online survey administered by YouGov. “At the same time, many residents believe political violence is a realistic possibility before or after the mid-term election. That combination—strong shared norms alongside serious concern—is an important warning sign for the state.”
When presented with six scenarios regarding acts of political violence, 86% to 93% of North Carolinians reject the use of political violence in election situations. The highest level of importance among North Carolinians is rejecting the use of ‘threats, intimidation, and violence’ to ‘influence how elections are run, conducted, or certified.’
When asked about individuals participating in elections ‘without the fear of threats, harassment, or violence,’ 92% of North Carolinians said it was important. The use of threats, intimidation, or violence to challenge the outcomes of elections was rejected by 91% of respondents. And nine in 10 North Carolinians reject candidates using threats, intimidation, or violence to influence election outcomes or inciting their supporters to do the same when they lose a free and fair election.
And when such acts of political violence might benefit a candidate’s cause, 86% of North Carolinians believe the candidate should publicly condemn such acts.
“What is reassuring is that across the political spectrum, overwhelming majorities of both Republicans and Democrats agree: political violence has no place in our state’s politics,” Bitzer said. “They are clear that any acts of intimidation, harassment, threats, or outright violence should be rejected.”
PLURALITY PERCEIVES THE NATION AS BEING DIVIDED
A plurality of North Carolinians (45%) perceives the nation as having low unity or being deeply divided, while only two in 10 see a level of high unity. A third of respondents place the country in a middle range between being divided and unified.
“One of the interesting trends within this question on unity versus division is among generation cohorts,” Bitzer noted. “North Carolinians under the age of 45, that being Millennials and Gen Z, are much more optimistic that the country is more unified than older North Carolinians. One third of Millennials and Gen Zers perceive the country as more united, while only 10% of Boomers and Silent Generations and 12% of Gen Xers do.”
Looking past November’s election, nearly half of respondents expect political divisions to remain about the same, while only about one in six expect improvement.
“This survey points to both a source of hope and a source of concern,” Bitzer said. “North Carolinians recognize the risks posed by a deeply divided political environment, but they also share a clear expectation that elections must be conducted without threats, intimidation, or violence. The challenge for candidates, party leaders, and citizens alike is to make those common principles visible in how they speak, campaign, and respond to election results.”
The September 2026 Catawba College-YouGov Survey interviewed 1,000 weighted North Carolina adults online. Administered online Sept. 4-15, 2026, by YouGov, the survey was written and paid for by Catawba College’s Center for North Carolina Politics & Public Service. The survey’s adjusted overall margin of error is plus or minus 3.68 percentage points; subgroups will have higher margins of error. Results should be viewed as informative estimates rather than definitive measures of public opinion.
You may find additional details about the poll’s findings, methodology and responses below.
About the Center for NC Politics and Public Service
The Center for North Carolina Politics & Public Service at Catawba College is dedicated to enriching civic dialogue, deepening understanding, and fostering engagement within North Carolina. Through non-partisan initiatives, the Center promotes the ideals of public service, civic character and engagement, and informed citizenship across the state. By educating North Carolinians about the state's political dynamics and emphasizing the value of public service, the Center cultivates practical political understanding and encourages active civic participation. In doing so, it helps instill a lasting respect for public life and being a responsible citizen — both among Catawba College students and throughout the wider North Carolina community.
About Catawba College
Founded in 1851, Catawba College is a four-year, private, liberal arts college located in Salisbury, N.C. Ranked as one of the best regional colleges in the South, Catawba is known for its intellectual rigor, dedicated faculty, beautiful campus, and strong commitment to sustainability and the environment. The College offers more than 70 undergraduate and four graduate programs allowing students to explore diverse interests and create their own academic pathway. Additional information is available at catawba.edu.
