North Carolinians Back State Control of Elections, Veteran Involvement Boosts Confidence

RightCount today released new survey research of North Carolina voters, conducted by Opinion Diagnostics, offering a detailed look at public attitudes toward election administration, trust, and policy.

The topline finding is clear: North Carolinians strongly favor keeping elections in state hands. By a nearly 6-to-1 margin, voters say states — not the federal government — should run elections.

Recent media coverage has started to highlight these survey findings. As WRAL News reported:

"The poll found North Carolinians leery of state election officials coordinating too much with the federal government. Trump said in a February interview that Congress should nationalize elections, taking them over from the states. Two-thirds of respondents to the North Carolina poll — 68.8% — said states should set and run their own elections with federal agencies having limited oversight roles. Only 12% said federal agencies should be the ultimate decision-makers on election administration, even if states disagree. Nineteen percent said they're unsure."

The survey and RightCount strategist Patrick Sebastian were also featured on Capital Tonight on Spectrum News TV.

Additional key findings from the poll (n=829 registered voters, April 21–24):

• Strong bipartisan support for state control of elections: 69% overall, including 73% of Democrats, 63% of Republicans, and 70% of Unaffiliated voters say states should run elections with limited federal oversight.
• Confidence vs. long-term trust: While 31% of voters say elections are becoming less trustworthy, 67% say they are confident the 2026 election results will be accurate — a +42 net confidence margin.
• Veteran involvement boosts confidence: Nearly half of voters report increased confidence after learning about military and veteran participation in elections, including vote-by-mail and service as poll workers or election officials.

Election policy views of respondents:

• 77% support North Carolina's voter ID law
• 66% support same-day registration during early voting
• Voters are split on mail-in voting (48% say secure and convenient; 42% say it opens the door to fraud)
• Large majorities of North Carolina voters cite concern about last-minute rule changes (79%) and cyberattacks (75%), along with federal pressure on state officials (62%).

The survey also tested the early contours of the U.S. Senate race, finding Roy Cooper leading Michael Whatley 50% to 41%, with 8% undecided — though the contest remains fluid and largely undefined at this stage.

For more information on RightCount, or to view survey research from other states, visit RightCount.org.