Voters are increasingly concerned about threats to their rights, democracy and the 2026 elections, a new national poll from the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights shows.

The 2026 Civil Rights Monitor found 82 percent of voters are concerned that rights and freedoms are being taken away or rolled back—the highest level recorded in the five-year history of the poll.

It found that concerns about democracy are also at a series high, with 76 percent of voters saying they believe democracy is under a major threat.

At the same time, voters report high motivation to participate in the upcoming midterm elections, with 84 percent saying they plan to definitely vote in November.

Protecting the freedom to vote was rated as the top civil rights priority, receiving the highest importance rating among white, Black, Hispanic and Asian American voters, as well as among Democrats and Republicans.

Overall, 14 percent of voters identified voting rights as their top issue, tying it with border security and ranking ahead of abortion rights, which 10 percent selected.

The poll also found widespread concern about interference in the midterm elections. Seventy-seven percent said they are concerned that political leaders could pressure election officials to change election outcomes, while 65 percent are concerned the federal government could attempt to stop elections by declaring a state of emergency. 

Voters are describing “threats to the machinery of democracy itself,” said Maya Wiley, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference.

Voters also expressed concerns relating to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Asked about cutting programs such as Medicare and SNAP to expand ICE funding, 71 percent of respondents opposed the idea, including 61 percent who strongly opposed it.

Black voters reported particularly high levels of concern: 83 percent said they were very concerned about their rights being taken away. Black voters were also the group most likely to say race relations are getting worse and 81 percent said their heritage, traditions and cultural identity are under attack in the United States. 

Despite widespread concerns about the state of race relations, the poll found broad agreement on the value of a diverse society. Ninety-two percent of voters said that diversity makes the country stronger, including most Republican voters.

Readers can check their voter registration, review their state’s deadlines and voting options, and make a voting plan at VOTE411.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights poll, conducted by Brilliant Corners Research, surveyed 1,000 likely voters by phone between Aug. 23 and Sept. 6. The survey’s overall margin of error was plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, with larger margins for demographic subgroups.

This story was originally published by the Feminist Majority Foundation (publisher of Ms.), as “New Poll Finds Four in Five Voters Are Concerned to Lose Their Freedom.”

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Poll after poll shows a majority of Americans support reproductive healthcare access. Yet public debate overlooks the lives shaped by abortion access, contraception, IVF, miscarriage care, maternal healthcare or comprehensive sex education—countless women who chose to pursue an education, have children, not have children, protect their health and chart their own future. What’s your reproductive freedom story? Add your voice. Together, these stories will help show not only why reproductive freedom remains a majority value, but also what it makes possible.