Voters are evenly divided about what is the greatest threat from the coronavirus pandemic. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 47% of Registered Voters are most concerned about the Health Threat while another 47% are primarily concerned about the Economic Threat.
This is the third consecutive week of polling that has found an even divide. Two weeks ago, a slight plurality was more concerned about the Economic Threat. Last week, a slight plurality was more concerned about the Health Threat.
Sixty-five percent (65%) of Republicans worry more about the Economic Threat while 64% of Democrats take the opposite view. Independent voters are evenly divided. While there are modest differences along various demographic lines, partisanship is the strongest indicator of an individual’s perceptions on this topic.
Men, by a 50% to 45% margin, are more worried about the economy. Women, by a 49% to 44% margin, are more worried about health issues.
Rural voters are somewhat more worried about the economy while urban voters are a bit more likely to worry about the health aspects of the pandemic.
The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from May 14-16, 2020. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online while 238 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Certain quotas were applied, and the overall sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.
