April 29, 2026

Opinion Diagnostics conducted a poll of 829 North Carolina registered voters for RightCount. The survey was fielded April 21-24, 2026, and has a margin of error of ±3.4%.

Key findings

• Roy Cooper (D) led Michael Whatley (R) 50.4% to 41.4% in the race for U.S. Senate, with 8.2% undecided.

• 43% approved of President Trump's job performance and 54% disapproved.

• 77% support requiring voter ID, and 69% say states should run elections.

• 31.4% say North Carolina elections are becoming less trustworthy.

Media coverage

• WRAL: Cooper leads Whatley in new polls as NC voters sour on economy (April 29, 2026)

• The Center Square: Election 2026: Cooper leads Whatley by 9 points in new poll (April 29, 2026)

• The Daily Haymaker: ANOTHER poll. ANOTHER big Cooper lead. (April 30, 2026)

• USA TODAY: Democrats' chances of winning Senate control are improving, polls show (May 3, 2026)

• WRAL: Trust in North Carolina elections shaky a year after shift in control (May 3, 2026)

• Carolina Journal: Cooper holds 9-point edge over Whatley in latest US Senate poll (May 5, 2026)