Utah Voters Deeply Concerned About Political Violence

Nearly All Blame Social Media and Urge Leaders to Lower the Temperature

Poll report can be found here

PHOENIX (October 9, 2025)- Utah voters are overwhelmingly concerned about political violence in the United States, strongly believe that it is getting worse, and all-but-universally agree that elected leaders should do more to restore civility and discourage extremism. A new Utah Public Opinion Pulse (UTPOP) released by Noble Predictive Insights paints a portrait of a public that feels uneasy about the national tone, skeptical of social media’s influence, and ready for leaders across party lines to “turn the temperature down.”

Utahns See Political Violence as a National Problem — But Worry Less About It Hitting Home

Utah voters are overwhelmingly concerned about political violence in the country — 88% say they are concerned, including 58% who are “very concerned.” However, that level of concern dips when voters are asked about threats closer to home. Just three-quarters (77%) express concern about political violence in Utah, and fewer (69%) say they are concerned about it affecting themselves, their families, or their communities.

That hierarchy of worry — high concern nationally, lower concern locally — suggests that Utahns see political instability as a nationwide problem, but one whose roots are shallower in their own state. This pattern is especially notable given recent high-profile events such as the killing of Charlie Kirk, which brought national headlines to Utah.

“This poll suggests Utahns aren’t viewing their state as the epicenter of a violent hurricane, as much as they see it as one more place caught up in the whirlwind,” said NPI Founder & CEO Mike Noble.

Older voters are the most anxious about national political violence, perhaps reflecting historical memory of turbulent decades past. Among Utah voters 65 and older, 97% say they are concerned about violence in the United States, compared to 82% of 18- to 44-year-olds. 

“The generation that lived through the assassinations and unrest of the 1960s – from MLK to JFK to Malcom X – may be seeing echoes of that instability today,” said Noble.

A Near-Consensus View: Political Violence Is Getting Worse

Asked to look back five years, Utah voters are almost unanimous in believing that political violence has increased. Nearly nine in 10 (85%) say it’s getting worse, while just 10% think it’s staying about the same and only 2% say it’s decreasing.

That bleak assessment crosses partisan lines. Eighty-seven percent of Republicans, 92% of Democrats, and 77% of Independents agree that political violence is on the rise. The rare unity across political affiliations underscores the pervasiveness of public anxiety — a feeling that the country’s divisions are deepening, regardless of ideology.

"In the past two years, Americans could have seen tragically graphic videos of successful and attempted assassinations involving political figures and leaders," Noble said. "Can anyone blame them for saying political violence is increasing?"

Blame Falls Squarely on Social Media Companies

When asked what’s driving the rise in political violence, Utah voters point to social media. Eighty-three percent agree that social media companies have contributed to the problem, while only 10% disagree.

Interestingly, Republicans — often more defensive of free expression online — are as likely as other parties, if not more, to blame tech platforms. Nearly 9 in 10 (87%) Republicans say social media has fueled violence, alongside 79% of Democrats and 79% of independents. 

“That bipartisan agreement suggests frustration with how social media amplifies outrage and misinformation, even if voters disagree on what should be done about it,” said Noble.

Utah voters don’t just fault social media for stoking division. By an overwhelming margin, they think the companies are falling short in preventing violent or extremist content from spreading. Just 14% believe platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok are doing enough, while 63% say they “should do more.” Only 9% believe the companies “go too far” in their efforts.

Age plays a powerful role in voters’ opinions. The older the voter, the greater the appetite for tighter content moderation: 82% of Utah voters aged 65 and older say social media companies should do more, compared to just 44% of 18- to 29-year-olds. A notable 24% of this 18-29 age group say that platforms are already doing enough — far higher than among older age groups.

“This generational divide likely reflects both consumption habits and cultural attitudes, said Noble. “Younger voters who grew up with social media may see platforms as part of everyday discourse, while older voters view them as disruptive forces with too little accountability.”

Voters Want Leaders to Speak Out for Civility

Another area of broad consensus among Utah residents is the expectation that elected officials should contribute to reducing tensions. A near-unanimous 95% of voters say it’s important for state and local leaders to “speak out against political violence and encourage civility in public discourse,” compared to just 4% who say it’s not important.

That consensus extends across party lines and ideological divisions. Republicans (97%), Democrats (95%), and independents (88%) all overwhelmingly say leaders should promote civility. Even among a Republican subgroup sometimes characterized by a more combative tone, the message is clear: 99% of “Trump First” Republicans say promoting civility is important.

“We’re seeing a deep public desire for a reset,” said Noble. “It’s a recognition that the political temperature has gotten too hot and a call for leaders to dial it back – to set an example of restraint in an era of escalating rhetoric.

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Methodology: This poll was conducted as an online opt-in panel and text-to-online survey. The survey was conducted by Noble Predictive Insights from September 22–26, 2025 from a Utah statewide registered voter sample via online opt-in panel and text-to-online. The sample included 621 registered voters, yielding a ± 3.93% margin of error. The sample demographics were weighted to accurately reflect the registered voter population by gender, region, age, party affiliation, race/ethnicity, and education according to recent voter file data, the Office of the Utah Lieutenant Governor, and recent Census data. *Numbers may not equal 100% due to rounding.

Media Contact:

Veronica Sutliff, Noble Predictive Insights, v.sutliff@npredictive.com, (602) 390-5248

About Noble Predictive Insights: As a nonpartisan public opinion polling, market research, and data analytics firm, Noble Predictive Insights exists to transform how leaders make decisions by delivering data-based solutions and predictive insights that provide a clear path forward. We bridge the gap between research and strategy with customized strategic research, a hyper-focus on impact, and being true partners with our clients. Noble Predictive Insights (formerly OH Predictive Insights) is a 2023 Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company in the Southwest region, and is ranked in the top 15 most accurate pollsters as well as in the top 5 for lowest average bias in the 2021-22 election cycle by FiveThirtyEight. For more information, please call (602) 326-5694 or visit our website at www.noblepredictiveinsights.com.