Individual Freedom Tops List of Issues Before Supreme Court Followed By Gun Laws, Religious Liberty, Limiting the Power of Government, and Abortion

Posted on December 10, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Sixty-eight percent (68%) of voters say that individual freedom is Very Important in terms of how they vote. That’s the highest rating among seven broad issues being considered by the Supreme Court. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 63% rated gun laws as Very Important, 58% who say Religious Liberty is Very Important and 55% say the same about limiting the power of government. Abortion is seen as Very Important by 49%, Death Penalty Issues by 41%, and Transgender Rights by 31%.

For Republicans, the top three issues are Individual Freedom, Limiting the Power of Government and Religious Liberty.

For Democrats, the top three are Gun Laws, Individual Freedom, and Religious Liberty.

For Independents, the top issues are Individual Freedom, Gun Laws, and Religious Liberty.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Question:

In terms of how you will vote, how important are each of the following issues?

Abortion

49% Very important

26% Somewhat important

12% Not very important

6% Not at all important

7% Not sure

Gun laws

63% Very important

22% Somewhat important

6% Not very important

4% Not at all important

4% Not sure

Limiting the power of government

55% Very important

27% Somewhat important

9% Not very important

3% Not at all important

6% Not sure

Transgender rights

31% Very important

23% Somewhat important

17% Not very important

20% Not at all important

7% Not sure

Individual rights

68% Very important

19% Somewhat important

5% Not very important

2% Not at all important

6% Not sure

Religious liberty

58% Very important

24% Somewhat important

8% Not very important

5% Not at all important

5% Not sure

Death penalty

41% Very important

32% Somewhat important

13% Not very important

6% Not at all important

8% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on December 6-8, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

53% See Biden Agenda as Big Government Socialism; 23% Disagree

Posted on December 9, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Fifty-three percent (53%) of voters believe it is accurate to describe the agenda of the Biden administration as big government socialism. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 23% of voters disagree and 24% are not sure.

Seventy-nine percent (79%) of Republicans believe it’s accurate to describe the agenda as big government socialism. So do a plurality of Democrats (46%) and Independents (42%).

Fifty-two percent (52%) of Hispanic voters see the Biden agenda as big government socialism. That may be one reason many Hispanic voters are shifting their loyalties away from the Democratic party.

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Question:

Is it accurate to describe the agenda of the Biden administration as big government socialism?

53% Yes

23% No

24% Not sure

Methodology

66% Worried That Elected Officials Want to Keep Pandemic Powers Over Individual Americans

Posted on December 8, 2021 | by Staff Writer

During the pandemic, government officials exercised extraordinary power over the lives of individual Americans. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 66% of voters are worried that many government officials will try to continue exercising such power over individual Americans.

That number is up slightly from 62% in June.

Twenty-five percent (25%) of voters are not worried and 8% are not sure.

The current totals include 35% who are Very Worried and 9% who are Not at All Worried.

Eighty-five percent (85%) of Republicans are worried about elected officials clinging to pandemic power. So are 60% of Independents and 57% of Democrats.

These results are generally consistent with earlier data showing that 65% of voters believe the federal government is actively working to get more power and control over the lives of everyday Americans.

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Question:

During the pandemic, government officials exercised extraordinary power over the lives of individual Americans. How worried are you that many government officials will try to continue exercising such power over individual Americans?

35% Very worried

31% Somewhat worried

16% Not very worried

9% Not at all worried

8% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on December 1-3, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

65% Believe Big Government and Big Business Act Together in Ways that Hurt Everyday Americans

Posted on December 6, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Sixty-five percent (65%) of voters believe that big government and big business act together in ways that hurt everyday Americans. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 15% disagree and 20% are not sure.

Among voters who prefer Trump-like policies, 74% see big government and big business acting together in ways that harm everyday Americans. That view is shared by 67% of Sanders’ Democrats, 62% of Traditional Democrats, and 59% of Traditional Republicans.

Sixty-nine percent (69%) of all voters also believe that big government and big business act together in ways that hurt small businesses. Just 12% disagree and 19% are not sure.

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Question 1:

Generally speaking, do big government and big business act together in ways that hurt everyday Americans?

65% Yes

15% No

20% Not sure

Question 2:

Do big government and big business act together in ways that hurt small businesses?

69% Yes

12% No

19% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on November 29-30, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

23% Support Federal Takeover of Banking System; 63% Oppose

Posted on November 11, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Twenty-three percent (23%) of voters favor eliminating all private banks in the United States and having the federal government provide banking services for everyone. That approach has been advocated by Saule Omarova, President Biden’s nominee to serve as Comptroller of the Currency.

A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 63% are opposed to ending the private banking system and 14% are not sure.

Those totals include 8% who Strongly Favor the proposal and 47% who are Strongly Opposed.

Those who support policies like those of Bernie Sanders are evenly divided on the question. Traditional Democrats oppose the federal takeover of banks by a 62% to 25% margin.

There is a similar gap on questions of economic policy goals. A plurality of Sanders’ supporters believe fighting economic inequality is more important than encouraging economic growth. By a 64% to 29% margin, traditional Democrats want the focus on economic growth.

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Question:

A proposal has been made that would eliminate all private banks in the United States and have the federal government provide banking services for everyone. Do you favor or oppose this proposal?

8% Strongly favor

15% Somewhat favor

16% Somewhat oppose

47% Strongly oppose

14% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on November 4-7, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

65% Believe Federal Government is Actively Working to Get More Power & Control Over lives of Everyday Americans

Posted on October 25, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Sixty-five percent (65%) of voters believe the federal government is actively working to get more power and control over the lives of everyday Americans. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 23% disagree and 12% are not sure.

Eighty-two percent (82%) of Republicans believe that the federal government is seeking such power and control. So do 64% of Independent voters and 49% of Democrats.

As on many issues, there is a substantial divide between the views of White Democrats and Black Democrats.

By a 62% to 23% margin, Black Democrats believe the federal government is actively working to get more power and control over the lives of everyday Americans.
However, by a narrow 46% to 42% margin, White Democrats disagree and don’t think that the government is actively seeking such power.

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Question:

Is the following statement true or false: “The federal government is actively working to get more power and control over the lives of everyday Americans.”

65% True

23% False

12% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on October 14-16, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

On Important National Decisions, 64% Trust Everyday Americans More Than Government Officials

Posted on October 24, 2021 | by Staff Writer

When it comes to important decisions about the nation’s future, 69% of voters trust everyday Americans more than government officials. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 22% disagree and 9% are not sure.

Seventy-eight percent (78%) of Republicans trust the people more than government officials. So do 69% of Independents and 60% of Democrats.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on September 30-October 2, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

73% See Federal Government As Special Interest Group That Looks Out Primarily For Its Own Interests

Posted on October 23, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Seventy-three percent (73%) of voters agree that the federal government is a special interest group that looks out primarily for its own interests. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 17% disagree and 10% are not sure.

Those totals include 40% who Strongly Agree and 5% who Strongly Disagree.

Seventy-five percent (75%) of Republicans see the federal government as a special interest group along with 74% of Democrats and 71% of Independents.

Seventy-eight percent (78%) of White voters share that view. So do 65% of Black voters and 62% of Hispanic voters.

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Methodology

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

62% Favor Banning Use of Federal Funds for Research Conducted By Chinese Government or Chinese Communist Party

Posted on October 22, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Sixty-two percent (62%) of voters favor banning the use of federal funds to support research conducted by the Chinese government or the Chinese Communist Party. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 24% oppose that policy and 15% are not sure.

Those totals include 40% who Strongly Favor the proposal and 11% who are Strongly Opposed.

The ban is favored by 68% of Republicans, 61% of Independents, and 56% of Democrats.

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Question:

Another proposal would ban the use of federal funds to support research conducted by the Chinese government or the Chinese Communist Party. Do you favor or oppose this proposal?

40% Strongly favor

22% Somewhat favor

13% Somewhat oppose

11% Strongly oppose

15% Not sure

Methodology

72% Believe IRS Already Collects Too Much Information; Think More Privacy Protections Are Required

Posted on October 21, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Seventy-two percent (72%) of voters think the IRS collects too much personal information that should remain private and that more privacy protections are needed. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 16% disagree and 12% are not sure.

Those totals include 41% who Strongly Agree that more privacy protections are needed and 4% who Strongly Disagree.

Eighty-one percent (81%) of Republicans think more protections are needed. So do 68% of Democrats and 64% of Independents.

President Biden’s Build Back Better proposal currently includes provisions that would give the IRS more access to personal and business financial information. Seventy-two percent (72%) of voters believe that some agents or political leaders would use additional information to harm political opponents. On that question, 14% disagree and 15% are not sure.

The desire for more privacy protection is found across the board. Among those who Strongly Favor the president’s plan, 62% believe the IRS already collects too much information. Among those who Somewhat Favor the Build Back Better plan, 72% believe additional privacy protections are needed.

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Question 1:

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: “The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) collects too much personal information that should remain private. We need to put more privacy protections in place.”

41% Strongly agree

31% Somewhat agree

12% Somewhat disagree

4% Strongly disagree

12% Not sure

Question 2:

Suppose the IRS had access to more personal information. How likely is it that some agents or political leaders would use that information to harm political opponents?

42% Very likely

30% Somewhat likely

9% Not very likely

5% Not at all likely

15% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,000 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on October 18-20, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 3.1percentage points.

58% See Federal Government As Threat to Freedom and Liberty; 24% Disagree

Posted on October 2, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of voters believe that the federal government today is a threat to the freedom and liberty of individual Americans. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 24% disagree and 19% are not sure.

Seventy-four percent (74%) of Republicans see the federal government as a threat to freedom and liberty. So do 54% of Independent voters and 46% of Democrats.

Seventy-one percent (71%) of Hispanic voters see the government as a threat to freedom and liberty. In response to the proposed federal vaccine mandate, an earlier survey found that 60% of Hispanic voters know someone who will get vaccinated against their will.

Sixty-one percent (61%) of White voters see the federal government as a threat to freedom and liberty. So do 40% of Black voters.

Among voters who prefer policies like those of former President Trump, 78% see the federal government as a threat.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on September 8, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

73% Oppose Plan Requiring Banks to Notify IRS of All Personal Transactions Over $600

Posted on September 29, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

A proposal has been made that would require banks to notify the IRS of every transaction of $600 or more made by every American. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 18% of voters favor this plan while 73% are opposed.

Those totals include 6% who Strongly Favor the plan and 59% who are Strongly Opposed.

This effort to give IRS more access to personal financial information is opposed by 86% of Republicans, 71% of Independents, and 62% of Democrats.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on September 24-25, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

33% Believe President Has Legal Authority to Order Vaccine Mandates

Posted on September 19, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Thirty-three percent (33%) of voters believe the president has the legal authority to order private companies to impose a vaccine requirement. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 45% disagree and 22% are not sure.

Fifty-five percent (55%) of Democrats believe the president has such authority. Sixty-four percent (64%) of Republicans say he does not. Among Independent voters, 23% believe the president has the authority and 48% do not.

Despite the fact that only 33% believe the president has the legal authority to act, 54% at least somewhat favor the president’s mandate order. Thirty-seven percent (37%) are opposed.

Eighty-two percent (82%) of Democrats favor the president’s action while 57% of Republicans disagree. Independent voters are evenly divided.

Data released earlier showed that 66% of voters are close to resuming their normal life in terms of going out socially, traveling, and interacting with others in person. If they tested positive for COVID, 68% believe it is likely they would recover quickly with only minor symptoms.

Still, pessimism about the pandemic remains high. Just 28%believe the worst is behind us. Forty-five percent (45%) believe the worst is yet to come. That matches the most pessimistic assessment since the vaccines rolled out in January.

* Is the worst of the pandemic behind us, or is it still to come?

28% Behind us

45% Still to Come

27% Not Sure

* For all companies with more than 100 employees, President Biden has mandated that they must require their workers to be vaccinated or submit to weekly testing. Do you favor or oppose this proposal?

32% Strongly favor

22% Somewhat favor

12% Somewhat oppose

25% Strongly oppose

9% Not sure

* Regardless of whether you favor or oppose the vaccine mandates, does the president have the legal authority to order private companies to impose a vaccine requirement?

33% Yes

45% No

22% Not sure

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on September 14-15, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, 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.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

On Important National Decisions, 61% Trust Everyday Americans More Than Government Officials; 19% Place Faith in Government Leaders

Posted on September 18, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

When it comes to making important decisions about the nation’s future, 61% of voters trust everyday Americans more than government leaders. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 19% place more trust in government leaders while 21% are not sure.

Those with a postgraduate degree are evenly divided: 43% trust government officials more while 42% trust everyday Americans. Among every other measured demographic group, a plurality or majority has more faith in everyday Americans.

Hispanic voters, by a narrow 44% to 36% margin, place more trust in everyday Americans. Black voters do the same by a 47% to 20% margin. Among White voters, 66% place more trust in everyday Americans while just 16% are more comfortable with government leaders making the decisions.

Thirty percent (30%) of urban voters place more trust in government leaders. That view is shared by 18% of suburban voters and 11% of rural voters.

Data released earlier showed that, when the federal government tries to manage the economy, 68% of voters believe it generally does more harm than good. On that, just 20% disagree and 12% are not sure.

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Methodology

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

43% Say Feds Oppress Americans; 30% Say They Fight for the Oppressed

Posted on August 17, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Forty-three percent (43%) of voters believe the federal government is more likely to oppress Americans rather than fight for the oppressed. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 30% take the opposite view and 26% are not sure.

By a 55% to 22% margin, Republicans believe the federal government is more likely to use its power in ways that oppress Americans. By a 44% to 12% margin, Independent voters agree.

Democrats, however, see things differently. By a 45% to 32% margin, those in President Biden’s party think the federal government is more likely to fight for oppressed Americans.

Urban voters tend to see the federal government fighting for the oppressed. Suburban and rural voters think it is more likely to oppress Americans.

A March survey found that 59% of voters believe the federal government is a special interest group that looks out primarily for its own interests. Just 17% disagree and 23% are not sure.

A majority of every measured demographic group sees the federal government as a special interest group. That includes 68% of Republicans, 61% of Independent voters, and 51% of Democrats.

Other data showed that 41% of voters believe the benefits of government are worth the costs and regulations. Thirty-three percent (33%) disagree.

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