A new poll commissioned by The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and conducted by the firm Brilliant Corners Research reveals insights into U.S. voters’ perceptions of American democracy. In addition to Americans’ views on key issues like immigration enforcement, the 2026 elections, the economy, and technology, the poll includes several questions on the state of race relations in the United States.
According to the poll, some 53 percent of voters believe race relations are getting worse. Among Black voters, only 14 percent believe race relations have improved. Furthermore, some 57 percent of voters are concerned about the rise of White supremacy, with 39 percent reporting they are very worried. Concerns about the prevalence of White supremacy have risen every year since 2023.
The vast majority of voters do not agree that reverse discrimination against White people is a big problem. Just 37 percent of voters say reverse discrimination is an issue, and an even smaller share (32 percent) believe forced DEI programs lead to racism against White people. Over nine-in-ten voters say America’s diversity makes the country stronger.
Notably, the majority of all voters agree that their “heritage, traditions, and cultural identity is under attack in America.” More than eight-in-ten Black voters agree with that statement, a pattern that has stayed consistent in polls over the past three years. Among White voters, the share who believe their heritage is under attack has fallen from 54 percent in 2022 to 45 percent in 2026.
Disapproval of the U.S. Supreme Court is also on the rise, particularly among Black Americans. In 2026, 57 percent of all voters and 83 percent of Black voters said they do not approve of the country’s highest court.
Across all racial groups, respondents rated protecting voting rights as the country’s top priority. When asked to rate the level of importance of protecting the freedom to vote on a scale of 1 to 10, 81 percent of Black voters rated the issue an 8 or higher. Some 57 percent of White voters, 88 percent of Hispanic voters, and 84 percent of Asian voters gave similar ratings.
Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference, said: “What worries voters most right now ought to worry all of us, because they are describing threats to the machinery of democracy itself. Majorities of Americans fear political leaders pressuring election officials to change outcomes, a federal government willing to declare a state of emergency to stop the elections, and ICE showing up at polling places to intimidate voters. More than eight in 10 are worried that our rights and freedoms are being stripped away in this country. Black voters have seen this playbook before, which helps explain why they are both the most alarmed group in the electorate and are highly motivated to vote. The civil rights community will match that resolve, and we will spend this fall protecting every voter and every freedom under attack.”
