Virginia voters prioritize democracy and civility, VCU poll finds

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Virginians are expressing their deep concern about the state of democracy, according to a new study.

A recent report from the Commonwealth Poll by the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) released on Tuesday, Feb. 10, shows how the state of democracy motivated Virginia voters and is their top concern.

The poll showed that concerns about democracy and civic norms influenced voter behavior and policy priorities in the November 2025 gubernatorial election.

Registered voters (41%) said maintaining democracy and civility was their top reason for voting. 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.

Maintaining democracy and civility top concerns across party lines

Nearly nine in 10 Virginians (86%) in the new poll reported voting in the Nov. 5 statewide elections, the report found.

According to the report, maintaining democracy and civility was considered the most important reason for voting (41%) across party lines, though this varied based on political party. This was followed by inflation (12%) and immigration (11%).

The report found this change to be a shift from the poll conducted in winter 2025, which showed Virginians were most considered about the economy and cost of living.

MORE: Virginians grow concerned about cost of living in recent VCU poll

Threats to democracy is the top priority for General Assembly

Three in 10 registered voters in Virginia said the General Assembly should focus on threats to democracy (30%).

According to the report, inflation (24%) and education (11%) ranked as the second- and third-highest priorities. Though differences were highlighted based on party.

Most want stricter limitations for data centers

Another issue at the top of mind for voters is data centers, as Virginia has the highest concentration of these high-tech developments globally.

The report found that the most common view among registered voters (46%) is to allow continued data center growth while requiring companies to add new power generation or reduce electricity use during periods of high demand.

Another 41% said Virginia should place stronger limits on new data centers until a sufficient power supply is available.

With nearly 150 data centers, Virginia is often referred to as the data center capital of the world. Opponents have raised concerns about the environment, higher energy bills and the loss of rural character in some regions.

The new report suggests Virginians remain open to data center development, but increasingly expect greater accountability around energy use, after increased opposition in last year's Commonwealth Poll.

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

Most support legal retail sale of cannabis

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 amid concerns over legalizing the sale of recreational marijuana.

Democrats (73%) and independents (62%) mainly supported its legality, per the report. Republicans were more divided, with 42% in favor and 48% opposed.

Most oppose to paying average cost of in-state college

According to the report, seven in 10 registered voters (70%) said students should not have to pay this amount to attend an in-state college or university.

The average total cost of attending a four-year institution in Virginia is $28,640 per year, or $114,560 for a four-year undergraduate degree.

Democrats were more likely to support free community college (62%), Republicans (53%) and independents (46%) preferred cost-cutting measures at colleges and universities.

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%).