Voter confidence in the reliability of mail-in ballots is significantly lower than voter confidence in the reliability of local election officials.

Data from a September 2026 PBS News, NPR, and Marist poll confirms a significant disparity between voter trust in election administrators and their perception of mail-in voting. While voters report a relatively high level of confidence in the integrity and work of their local election officials, they remain more skeptical regarding the mail-in ballot process.pbs.orgpbs.orgVoters Trust Local Election Officials Theyre Less Sure About the MailData from a September 2026 PBS News/NPR/Marist poll highlights a notable distinction in how voters perceive the reliability of election administration versus specific voting methods Trust in Election Officials: Approximately 75% of voters... This trend is corroborated by longitudinal observations regarding the influence of public discourse on voting perceptions.

Experts note that despite consistent evidence from election officials and nonpartisan research groups confirming the security of mail-in voting, public sentiment remains sensitive to persistent, unsubstantiated claims regarding fraud.siepr.stanford.edusiepr.stanford.eduHow Does Vote Mail Change American ElectionsPersistent False Narratives: Experts attribute the lower confidence in mail-in ballots largely to repeated, evidence-lacking claims regarding widespread fraud, which have been promoted by political figures, most notably during and after... Furthermore, recent polling indicates that public confidence in the timely delivery of ballots by the U.S. Postal Service has experienced a measurable decline, dropping from 71 percent in 2024 to 58 percent in 2026.newsfeed.wtjx.orgnewsfeed.wtjx.orgPoll Trust in the U S Postal Service Delivering Mail in Ballots on Time Has...A September 2026 poll found that confidence in timely USPS delivery of election mail dropped from 71% in 2024 to 58% in 2026, a decline researchers suggest may be influenced by both operational concerns and misinformation regarding the...+1 more

While election experts point to robust security measures, such as ballot tracking, signature verification, and the use of secure drop boxes, as evidence of the system's reliability, these technical assurances have not fully reconciled the public perception gap.red.msudenver.edured.msudenver.eduWhy Mail in Voting Is a Reliable and Trustworthy OptionPersistent False Narratives: Experts attribute the lower confidence in mail-in ballots largely to repeated, evidence-lacking claims regarding widespread fraud, which have been promoted by political figures, most notably during and after...bipartisanpolicy.orgbipartisanpolicy.orgIs Voting by Mail Safe and Reliable We Asked State and Local Elections OfficialsThey point to rigorous procedures—such as signature verification, ballot tracking (barcodes), and secure drop boxes—as evidence of the system's integrity The ongoing political focus on questioning the validity of mail-based options continues to be a primary driver of this disparity, according to reports examining election trust.+1 more