Sixty-four percent (64%) of voters nationwide believe the government should be required to compensate business owners for any losses caused by the government ordered shutdown. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 15% disagree and 21% are not sure.
This is one aspect of the lockdown era that enjoys support across party lines. The idea that government should be liable for the costs of shutting down businesses is embraced by 67% of Republicans, 65% of Independents, and 61% of Democrats.
It’s also supported by 71% of private sector workers and 64% of government employees. Retirees aren’t as enthusiastic, but still support the concept by a 49% to 23% margin.
Other recent polling shows that 60% of voters nationwide believe every business that establishes safe social distancing protocols should be allowed to open. These numbers cut strongly against the narrative that voters remain committed to continuing the lockdowns. I take a look at some of the reasons behind this disconnect in my latest column.
Currently, 38% believe it would be appropriate to continue the lockdowns in their own neighborhood and community. Fifty-seven percent (57%) disagree. That total includes 40% who believe it is time to ease the restrictions and 17% who believe it is time to end the lockdowns.
Additionally, 65% are concerned that some public officials are using the pandemic as an excuse to infringe upon the Constitutional rights of individual Americans.
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The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from May 7-9, 2020. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online while 174 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Certain quotas were applied and the overall sample and lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, 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.
