# A slim majority put protecting democratic rights over fighting crime

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/politics/a-slim-majority-put-protecting-democratic-rights-over-fighting-crime/

> Indexed question in Politics.

## Reading

We asked Americans what should come first for the country when protecting democratic rights and keeping the country safe pull in opposite directions. In a Verasight survey conducted July 14-24, 2025, 52% say the U.S. should focus first on protecting democratic rights, even if that means being less able to prevent crime.

The other 48% put safety first, accepting that some democratic freedoms might have to be limited.

## Topline

Which of the following, in your opinion, should be the highest priority for the U.S.?

A slim majority put protecting democratic rights over fighting crime.

- We should focus first on protecting our democratic rights—even if that means we might be less able to prevent crime or: 52.1%
- We should focus first on keeping the country safe—even if that means we might have to limit some democratic freedoms,: 47.9%

## 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: 2025-07-14 → 2025-07-24
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.1%
- Module: EPOVB Conference Omnibus Survey #2025-059
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://verasight-epovb.tiiny.co#top-priority-concerns-for-the-u.s.](https://verasight-epovb.tiiny.co#top-priority-concerns-for-the-u.s.)

## Citation

EPOVB Conference Omnibus Survey #2025-059, fielded July 14-24, 2025, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.1%.

Canonical question URL: [https://verasight-epovb.tiiny.co#top-priority-concerns-for-the-u.s.](https://verasight-epovb.tiiny.co#top-priority-concerns-for-the-u.s.)