NEW RESEARCH: Fears Of Election-Related Violence Kept Millions of Women from Voting In 2024
Although Voting Is Largely Safe, New States United Research Shows Voting Behavior, Turnout Is Shaped by Perceptions of Violence
WASHINGTON — The States United Democracy Center today published a new report that reveals how safety concerns shaped the voting experience for millions of Americans in 2024. Drawing on surveys, focus groups, and post-election turnout data, Safety and Confidence at the Polls offers the most detailed look so far at how fears of violence and harassment—especially among women and other historically marginalized groups—impacted not just how people voted, but whether they voted at all.
“Every voter deserves to cast their ballot without having to think twice about their safety,” said Joanna Lydgate, CEO of States United. “When voters fear violence at the ballot box, it’s not just a safety issue—it’s a democracy issue. Too many Americans are making voting decisions based on fear of being harassed, threatened, or even harmed. Elections in this country are safe, and state officials are working every day to build voter confidence and confront the realities that put our democracy at risk.”
The research documents that voter turnout dropped in direct correlation with increased fears about political violence. Each increase in expected likelihood of violence corresponded to a 6-point drop in turnout.
“Even when the risk of actual violence is low, the expectation of violence can shape the electorate,” said Kelly Rader, Research Director at States United. “We found that millions of voters stayed home in 2024 not because they didn’t care, but likely because they were afraid. That’s an urgent call for better protections, clearer communication, and a nonpartisan commitment to safety at every level of our election process.”
The report also explores the views of state legislators, law enforcement officials, and election administrators. While many officials take voter safety seriously, the research found disparities between what safety measures voters want and what’s currently in place. For example, voters across demographics expressed broad support for policies like firearm bans, shorter lines, and security cameras, yet many jurisdictions have not implemented such measures.
The report calls for tailored approaches that reflect the needs of different communities, especially those at risk. Most importantly, the research points to a way forward: When voters hear clear, nonpartisan information about safety measures and see leaders reject political violence across party lines, their confidence in the electoral process increases.
“Election officials take oaths of office to uphold the Constitution and the laws of their states. We have to keep reminding people of that,” said Kim Wyman, former Secretary of State of Washington. “Have faith in those democratic institutions that have withstood almost 250 years—there’s a reason for it.”
Some key findings:
- Up to 6 million voters may have stayed home in 2024 due to safety concerns.
- Women and voters of color were more likely than white men to perceive the voting environment as unsafe in the lead-up to the election. 34% of women reported taking at least one safety precaution to cast their ballot.
- Black and Hispanic women were more likely to report concerns about violence and harassment at the polls than white women and felt less safe voting.
- While 91% of white women said they felt “mostly” or “completely” safe before the election, that number was 85% for Black women, 82% for Hispanic women, and 83% for women from other minority groups.
- Verbal harassment was the most common form of election-related abuse. 13% of gender-nonconforming voters and over 7% of voters of color reported experiencing threats or harassment, most often verbally or online.
- Trust in state and local officials was a key driver of voter confidence and willingness to vote in person.
You can read the full report and learn more about our research here.
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About the States United Democracy Center
States United is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the rule of law and free, fair, secure elections. We provide direct support to state officials and law enforcement leaders as they uphold the law and our system of checks and balances, protect public safety, defend elections, and preserve our democracy. For more information, visit statesunited.org.