# Fewer than a third of Americans trust public polling

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/culture/fewer-than-a-third-of-americans-trust-public-polling/
Published: 2026-07-13

> Featured topic in Culture.

29.0% of U.S. adults trust public polling (26.0% somewhat plus 3.0% strongly), while 33.2% distrust it (22.2% somewhat plus 11.0% strongly) and another 33.2% are neutral.

## Topline: Trust in polling

29.0% of U.S. adults trust public polling, combining 26.0% who somewhat trust it and 3.0% who strongly trust it. Distrust totals 33.2% (22.2% somewhat plus 11.0% strongly), and another 33.2% are neutral.

Skepticism about polls does not extend to research participation: 81.4% say they would be likely to help researchers collect or analyze data (43.8% very likely plus 37.6% somewhat likely).

## Trust sits below a third

29.0% of adults trust public polling (26.0% somewhat plus 3.0% strongly), while 33.2% distrust it (22.2% somewhat plus 11.0% strongly). Another 33.2% are neutral and 4.6% have no opinion.

Strong feelings run one way: 11.0% strongly distrust polls, against 3.0% who strongly trust them.

## Willingness to help research runs far higher

81.4% of adults say they would be likely to participate in helping researchers collect or analyze data (43.8% very likely plus 37.6% somewhat). Just 4.5% say they would be unlikely to (2.5% very plus 2.0% somewhat), and 14.0% are unsure.

Respondents are members of a survey panel, a group self-selected for research participation, so stated willingness likely runs higher than in the general public.

## The word itself matters

55.2% of adults think of surveys and polls as the same thing. Among those who see a difference, surveys win easily: 27.8% view surveys more positively, versus 3.9% who feel that way about polls.

Another 13.2% are not sure how the two compare.

## Supporting evidence

### 29.0% of adults trust public polling, 33.2% distrust it and 33.2% are neutral.

Question: What is your level of trust in public polling?

Note: Shows the level of trust in public polling.

Topline:

- Neutral: 33.2%
- Somewhat trust: 26.0%
- Somewhat distrust: 22.2%
- Strongly distrust: 11.0%
- No opinion: 4.6%
- Strongly trust: 3.0%

### 81.4% say they would be likely to help researchers collect or analyze data; just 4.5% say they would be unlikely to.

Question: How likely would you be to participate in helping researchers collect or analyze data?

Note: Shows willingness to help researchers collect or analyze data.

Topline:

- Very likely: 43.8%
- Somewhat likely: 37.6%
- Unsure: 14.0%
- Very unlikely: 2.5%
- Somewhat unlikely: 2.0%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-05-21 → 2026-05-26
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.1%
- Module: Verasight AAPOR Omnibus Survey #2026-052
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Sources

- [What is your level of trust in public polling?](https://reports.verasight.io/r/aapor-2026#q-37): reports.verasight.io/r/aapor-2026: Shows the level of trust in public polling.
- [Which of the following best describes your opinion?](https://reports.verasight.io/r/aapor-2026#q-35): reports.verasight.io/r/aapor-2026: Shows how adults compare the words surveys and polls.
- [How likely would you be to participate in helping researchers collect or analyze data?](https://reports.verasight.io/r/aapor-2026#q-4): reports.verasight.io/r/aapor-2026: Shows willingness to help researchers collect or analyze data.

## Citation

Verasight AAPOR Omnibus Survey #2026-052, fielded May 21-26, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.1%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/aapor-2026#q-37](https://reports.verasight.io/r/aapor-2026#q-37)