For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Colin Cummings
[email protected]
ATLANTA, GA – As the 2026 election season heats up, a new statewide poll from the Democracy Defense Project shows that Georgia voters are more confident than ever in their elections — and they’re making it clear they don’t want to go backward.
The survey, conducted by national firm Cygnal, finds a significant increase in voter trust:
- The share of voters with low trust in elections has dropped by 8 points (from 27% to 19%).
- 47% now rate their trust at 8, 9, or 10 out of 10 — a 12-point gain since fall 2024.
- Confidence in Georgia’s elections surged, with nearly three-quarters of voters saying they trust the system, reflecting a 27-point swing toward confidence.
“These results show what most Georgians already know: our elections are secure — and voters want to keep them that way,” said the Democracy Defense Project – Georgia Board Members: Former Governor Nathan Deal (R), Former Governor Roy Barnes (D), Former U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R), and Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin (D). “Efforts to restrict voting access, ban voting machines, or undo Georgia’s open primary system are deeply unpopular. Politicians should listen to the voters — not those with a radical political agenda.”
The poll reveals overwhelming opposition to proposed changes in election law:
- 73% oppose eliminating early voting and no-excuse absentee voting.
- Only 27% support replacing voting machines with paper ballots.
- 54% support requiring Georgia’s Electoral College electors to vote for the state’s popular vote winner.
- Just half support moving to a closed primary system — with many independents and moderates warning it would erode participation.
Brent Buchanan, President of Cygnal, emphasized: “Voters want stability, not chaos. Confidence is rising, but any efforts to rewrite the rules are being met with skepticism. Georgians are focused on the future — not political stunts or fights from the past.”
The poll also sends a clear warning to candidates in 2026: voters want real solutions — not the relitigation of 2020.
- 0% of voters listed ‘election integrity’ as their top issue — down from 4.5% in September.
- Inflation and the economy, government spending, and Social Security now top the list.
- 45% of voters say they’re less likely to support a candidate who promotes 2020 election denial.
While voter confidence grows, lingering doubt remains. Belief that the 2024 election was “rigged” dropped to 27%, down from 37% who said the same about 2020 — an encouraging trend, but one that shows the need for continued fact-based leadership.
On the U.S. Senate front, Republicans hold a narrow 3-point lead on the generic ballot, and all five GOP candidates tested are competitive against Sen. Jon Ossoff.
- Brad Raffensperger polls evenly with Ossoff at 44% — the strongest GOP showing to date.
- Other Republican contenders trail slightly but remain within the margin of error.
Support for SB202, the state’s 2021 election reform law, has grown:
- 47% of voters now support SB202, up 10 net points from September.
- Voter ID requirements remain the most popular provision, cited by 72% of supporters.
- 82% of voters are now aware of the law, a 5-point increase.
The poll, conducted May 15–17, 2025, surveyed 800 general election voters and has a margin of error of ±3.41%. Interviews were conducted via live calls and SMS text-to-web and weighted to reflect 2024 general election turnout. View the full poll results here.
For more information, visit www.democracydefenseproject.org/ga.
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About the Democracy Defense Project – Georgia
The Democracy Defense Project (DDP) is a new organization led by a bipartisan group of former elected officials and leaders across Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin who will work to defend the transparency, safety, security and validity of our nation’s electoral system. We will publicly defend those who have sworn to uphold the rule of law and to be an active voice against any individual or organization that would look to undermine lawful election processes and outcomes. The Democracy Defense Project – Georgia board includes former Senator Saxby Chambliss, former Governor Roy Barnes, former Governor Nathan Deal, and former Mayor of Atlanta Shirley Franklin.
Published: May 22, 2025
