Red, Blue, and the Ballot: Examining the Influence of Partisan Media Use on Voter Fraud and Foreign Interference Concerns

Public perceptions about electoral integrity are vital for the health of a democracy. One factor that can shape these perceptions is how media outlets cover issues such as voter fraud and foreign interference. This study examined the influence of partisan media use (i.e. liberal, conservative) on concerns about voter fraud and foreign interference in the past three presidential elections. We also assessed whether party identification moderates these relationships. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses from the 2016, 2020, and 2024 American National Election Studies (ANES) and the 2020 Annenberg Institutions of Democracy (AIOD) data sets revealed that conservative media use predicted increased voter fraud concerns and lower foreign interference concerns, while liberal media use was associated with lower voter fraud concerns and higher foreign interference concerns, particularly in 2020. Moderation analyses found limited support for partisan differences, although, notably, counter-attitudinal media use had stronger effects than ideologically congruent media use. Ultimately, this study highlights the complex role of partisan media use in shaping public opinion regarding voter fraud and foreign interference in US elections.