Only 5.7% of Americans say Israel is the top meddler in US elections, but nearly half skeptical of "lobbying for foreign government relationships"

Mainstream news coverage of foreign government influence on U.S. elections has been extensive since allegations first surfaced about Russian interference in the 2016 presidential race. According to a new poll, a solid 60.0% majority of Americans now believe Russia is the single top meddler in US elections, followed by China (16.4%) and the United Kingdom (7.1%).

Despite little warranted media coverage, a surprising 5.7% of Americans believe Israel is the single biggest "meddler" in US elections. Why might a swath of voting-age Americans as numerous as the population of the state of New York believe such a thing? One reason may be that nearly half do not appear to believe there is any difference between groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) that claim to lobby for closer foreign government "relations" versus organizations directly lobbying on behalf of foreign governments.

IRmep Poll: Which country do you believe meddles the most in US elections?

Almost half – 45.2% of Americans – see no difference between the kind of lobbying AIPAC claims to do in the name of "promoting the relationship" and lobbying directly on behalf of a foreign government. AIPAC supporters argue it should not have to comply with the Foreign Agents Registration Act because AIPAC does not lobby for the Israeli government, but rather works to "strengthen, protect and promote the U.S.-Israel relationship."

IRmep Poll: Do you see a difference between US organizations lobbying for a foreign government and US organizations lobbying to strengthen US relations with a foreign government?

Poll question Which country do you believe meddles the most in US elections?
Poll developed by: IRmep
Poll fielded by: Google Surveys 7/7/2019
Representative Sample size: 1,000
Google survey page (link)
Raw data from Google (Download)

Poll question Do you see a difference between U.S. organizations lobbying for a foreign government and U.S. organizations lobbying to strengthen U.S. relations with a foreign government?
Polldeveloped by: IRmep
Poll fielded by: Google Surveys 7/4/2019
Representative Sample size: 1,002
Google survey page (link)
Raw data from Google (Download)

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Only 5.7% of Americans Say Israel Is the Top Meddler in US Elections - Skepticism about lobbying for foreign government "relationships"

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