Crime and criminal justice
Crime and criminal justice reform remain significant concerns, with Republicans much more likely than Democrats to cite crime as a top problem. Issues include police brutality, mass incarceration, and inequities in the justice system. The "defund the police" movement has receded, with most Democrats avoiding the position in competitive districts.
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Sources
AP-NORC poll — https://apnorc.org/projects/2026-the-publics-priorities-and-expectations
...Republicans are more likely than Democrats to mention crime (22% vs 5%)...
EduBirdie.com — https://edubirdie.com/blog/social-issues-topics
Issues related to police brutality, mass incarceration, and inequities in the justice system are under increased scrutiny.
Brookings Institution analysis — https://www.brookings.edu/articles/electability-over-ideology-takeaways-from-the-2026-primaries
...no one talks about defunding the police.
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- We need to reallocate funding from police departments to social services to address root causes of crime.
- We should invest in police training and community policing while addressing systemic issues in the justice system.
- We need to rebuild public trust in law enforcement through transparency and accountability measures.
- We need stricter sentencing laws and more police funding to combat rising crime rates.
- We need to fully fund the budget for police departments and support law enforcement without conditions.