State of democracy motivated Virginia voters and is their top concern, new Commonwealth Poll finds

By L. Douglas Wilder and Robyn McDougle

Virginians continue to express deep concern about the state of democracy, according to findings from the latest Commonwealth Poll released today by the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University. The poll was conducted Jan. 9-22, 2026.

Results show that concerns about democracy and civic norms played a central role in voter behavior and policy priorities in the November gubernatorial election. When asked about their motivation for voting, a plurality of registered voters (41%) said maintaining democracy and civility was their top reason for turning out. Similarly, nearly one-third (32%) of respondents said threats to democracy should be the top issue facing legislators during the current General Assembly session.

 “These findings send a clear and sobering message. Democracy is not self-executing,” said L. Douglas Wilder, the 66th governor of Virginia and distinguished professor at the Wilder School. “When 41 percent of Virginians say that maintaining democracy and civility was their reason for voting, and 32 percent say threats to democracy should be the top issue facing legislators, that is neither abstract nor partisan. It is a directive. It calls for open discussion and responsible action by the representatives of the people. And if that discussion and action are absent, we must ask why.

“Diversity, equity and inclusion are not relics of the past. They are reminders of the need for eternal vigilance to protect democratic norms, civic trust and the integrity of our public institutions.”

Voting in 2025 statewide elections

Nearly 9 in 10 Virginians (86%) in the new poll reported voting in the Nov. 5 statewide elections. Maintaining democracy and civility was cited as the most important reason for voting (41%), followed by inflation (12%) and immigration (11%).

Maintaining democracy and civility ranked as the top motivator across party lines, though at varying levels: 58% of Democrats, 22% of Republicans and 32% of independents cited it as their primary reason for voting. This marks a notable shift from the Commonwealth Poll conducted a year ago in winter 2025, when a majority of voters identified the economy and cost of living as their primary concern.

Priorities for the General Assembly

For the current legislative session, 3 in 10 registered voters in Virginia said the General Assembly should focus on threats to democracy (30%). Inflation (24%) and education (11%) ranked as the second- and third-highest priorities.

Partisan differences were pronounced. Nearly half of Democrats (49%) identified threats to democracy as their top priority, while inflation was the leading concern among Republicans (32%) and independents (25%).

Data centers, energy demand and electricity reliability

Data centers continue to expand rapidly across Virginia, increasing demand on the state’s electric grid. PJM, the regional electric grid operator, has warned that rising data center demand could increase the risk of blackouts unless new policies are adopted.

When asked how Virginia should respond, the most common view among registered voters (46%) was to allow data center growth while requiring companies to add new power generation or reduce electricity use during periods of high demand. A similar share of respondents (41%) said Virginia should place stronger limits on new data centers until sufficient power supply is available.

Compared with last year’s Commonwealth Poll, when 46% supported allowing more data centers and 38% were opposed, the new results suggest continued openness to data center development paired with increased expectations for accountability around energy use.

Half of Democrats (50%) favor stronger limits on new data centers, while Republicans (46%) and independents (57%) more often support continued growth with additional power-generation requirements or demand reductions.

Support for the legal retail sale of cannabis

As Virginia lawmakers consider proposals to establish a legal, regulated adult-use cannabis retail market, a majority of registered voters (59%) said they support allowing retail cannabis sales under a framework that includes licensing for small businesses, government oversight and consumer protection.

Support was strongest among Democrats (73%) and independents (62%). Republicans were more divided, with 42% in favor and 48% opposed.

College affordability

Currently, the average total cost of college at a four-year institution in Virginia is $28,640, or a total of $114,560 for a four-year undergraduate degree. Seven in 10 registered voters (70%) said students should not have to pay this amount to attend an in-state college or university.

Opposition to the cost was strongest among Democrats (85%), compared with 50% of Republicans and 71% of independents. Among those who said students should pay the average cost, Republicans (42%) were more likely to support the expense than Democrats (12%) or independents (19%).

When asked which policies would most effectively reduce college costs, half of respondents (50%) support requiring higher education institutions to cut costs, while 46% favored making community college free for all Virginia students. Democrats were more likely to support free community college (62%), while cost-cutting measures at colleges and universities were preferred by Republicans (53%) and independents (46%).

Views on the value of a four-year degree remain mixed. A majority of Virginians (52%) said a four-year college degree provides a good return on investment only for certain fields or majors, a view that is consistent across political affiliations and largely unchanged from last year (54%).