Tag: Voting laws

Thirty-two percent (32%) of voters think it’s Very Likely that democracy in America will end in the next generation or so. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that total includes 11% who believe it has already ended.

Another 21% say democracy is somewhat likely to end over the next generation, 33% say it’s not likely to happen, and 15% are not sure.

Republicans are significantly more worried about democracy ending than Democrats. Forty-two percent (42%) of GOP voters think it is Very Likely to end over the next generation. Just 28% of those in President Biden’s party share that view.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of all voters see Democrats as a bigger threat to democracy than Republicans. Twenty-six percent (26%) see Republicans as the bigger threat while 20% think the two parties represent an equal threat to democracy.

One reason a plurality of voters see Democrats as the bigger threat may be that they are actively promoting legislation to outlaw three election reforms that are supported by more than 80 percent of voters.  The effort by Congressional Democrats to outlaw photo ID requirements is especially significant.

But the challenges run much deeper than simply election laws. Data released earlier showed that 55% of voters believe letting government bureaucrats set rules without approval of Congress or voters is a major threat to democracy. Rather than a public service responding to voters, 73% see the federal government is a special interest group that looks out primarily for its own interests. Forty-five percent (45%) see the January 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol as a major threat to democracy.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of voters are confident that American elections are conducted in a manner that ensures all votes are counted and that the proper winners are declared. Most Democrats (54%) continue to believe that Hillary Clinton was the legitimate winner of the 2016 presidential election. Most Republicans (63%) believe that Donald Trump was the legitimate winner in 2020.

The latest survey also found 68% believe even small discrepancies in vote counts represent a serious problem. Eighty percent (80%) agree that “Any instance of voter fraud…anywhere, at any time, by anyone…requires that someone be held accountable.”

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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 1:

How likely is it that democracy in America will end in the next generation or so?

11%    It has already ended

21%    Very likely

21%    Somewhat likely

21%    Not very likely

12%    Not at all likely

15%    Not sure

Question 2:

Which political party today represents the greatest threat to democracy in America?

26%    Republican

37%    Democratic

20%    Both equally

6%    Neither 

11%    Not sure

Question 3:

Often, there is about a one percent gap between the number of ballots cast and votes reported. How serious a problem is this?

36%    Very serious

32%    Somewhat serious

12%    Not very serious

8%    Not at all serious

11%    Not sure

Question 4:

Would you agree or disagree with the following statement: “Any instance of voter fraud…anywhere, at any time, by anyone…requires that someone be held accountable.”

56%    Strongly agree

24%    Somewhat agree

9%    Somewhat disagree

2%    Strongly disagree

8%    Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on December 8-10, 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.

 

 

Eighty-one percent (81%) of voters want all voting machines made in the United States. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 8% are opposed and 11% are not sure.

The survey also found that 88% want to see a requirement for states to remove people who have died or moved from voter registration lists; 85% want all voters to show photo ID before casting a ballot, and 82% want all ballots to be received by Election Day.

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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 1:

Please let me know if you favor or oppose each of the following:

Requiring voters to show photo ID before casting a ballot

65%    Strongly favor

20%    Somewhat favor

8%    Somewhat oppose

4%    Strongly oppose

4%    Not sure

Requiring all mail-in ballots to be received by Election Day

61%    Strongly favor

21%    Somewhat favor

7%    Somewhat oppose

6%    Strongly oppose

5%    Not sure

Requiring states to remove people who have died or moved from the voter registration lists

73%    Strongly favor

15%    Somewhat favor

6%    Somewhat oppose

2%    Strongly oppose

5%    Not sure

Requiring all voting machines to be made in the United States

63%    Strongly favor

18%    Somewhat favor

4%    Somewhat oppose

4%    Strongly oppose

11%    Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on October 25-27, 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.

Fifty-two percent (52%) of voters believe “voting is a fundamental right for every adult U.S. citizen and should not be restricted in any way.” A Scott Rasmussen survey found that 39% believe instead that “voting is a privilege that comes with responsibilities and can be limited if adult U.S. citizens don’t meet some requirements.”

The survey also found that 73% of voters believe all voters who cast their ballot in-person should be required to show a photo ID before voting. Just 17% disagree.

Additionally, 74% favor a proposal that would require all mail-in ballots to be received by Election Day. Seventeen percent (17%) are opposed.

These results suggest that voters do not see common sense voting rules as a restriction on voting.

In fact, among those who say there should be no restrictions on voting, 69% favor photo ID requirements and 70% believe all ballots should be received by Election Day.

The question about whether voting is a right or a privilege was modeled after a similar question asked by the Pew Research Center. The only difference is that the Scott Rasmussen question included a not sure option. However, the results from both surveys were very similar.

The Pew Center study found that 56% of voters are confident that those not legally qualified to vote are prevented from casting a ballot. Forty-two percent (42%) lack such confidence.

There is far more confidence in another aspect of the voting process. Seventy-seven percent (77%) of voters believe that everyone who is eligible and wants to vote is able to cast a ballot. Just 23% disagree.

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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.

Methodology

The survey of 1,000 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from July 27-28, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 232 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. 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.

Thinking in general about U.S. elections, 59% of voters are at least somewhat confident the votes are accurately counted and the proper person is declared the winner. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 36% lack such confidence and 5% are not sure.

Those totals include 38% who are Very Confident in the election process and 19% who are Not at All Confident.

Not surprisingly, there is a vast partisan divide on this issue. Eighty-seven percent (87%) of Democrats express confidence in the system while 63% or Republicans do not. Independent voters are evenly divided: 46% have some level of confidence while 41% do not.

This partisan divide is fairly typical– the party which controls the White House expresses is more likely to consider the process fair. For example, most Democrats still believe that Hillary Clinton was the legitimate winner of the 2016 election and most Republicans believe Donald Trump was the legitimate winner in 2020. Overall, just 26% of voters believe that the right person was declared the winner in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.

The partisan divide helps explain the wildly different perceptions of voting rights’ legislation. Since 9-out-of-10 Democrats have confidence in the system, they see any move to change voting rules as negative. Since Republicans lack confidence in the system, they see a need for improvement. It is likely these positions will be reversed the next time a Republican wins the White House.

Despite the intense partisan polarization, several election reforms are very popular among voters from all partisan and demographic groups:

• 70% want all mail-in ballots to be received by Election Day.
• Sixty-five percent (65%) believe government agencies should be required to report the vote totals from all ballots either on Election Night or the next day.
• Seventy-six percent (76%) believe voters should be required to show photo ID before casting a ballot.
• Fifty-seven percent (57%) believe “ballot harvesting” should be outlawed. Twenty percent (20%) disagree and 23% are not sure.

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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.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from July 8-10, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 231 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. 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.

 

Fifty-seven percent (57%) of voters believe “ballot harvesting” should be outlawed. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 20% disagree and 23% are not sure.

The United States Supreme Court recently upheld an Arizona law banning ballot harvesting.

Another provision of the Arizona law declared that votes cast by an individual in the wrong precinct would not be allowed. That provision was also upheld.

However, while there is strong support for ending ballot harvesting, voters have mixed views about ballots cast in the wrong precinct. Forty percent (40%) believe such votes should be counted while 45% say they should not.

Sixty-five percent (65%) of Republicans believe ballots cast in the wrong precinct should not be counted. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of Democrats believe those votes should count. Independent voters are evenly divided.

Data released earlier showed that 70% of voters want all mail-in ballots to be received by Election Day. Sixty-five percent (65%) believe government agencies should be required to report the vote totals from all ballots either on Election Night or the next day.

Concerns about the election process are highlighted by the fact that just 26% of voters believe that the right person was declared the winner in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.

Most voters (56%) believe at least one of the last two presidents was illegitimately put into office. That includes 26% who believe Hillary Clinton was the legitimate winner in 2016 and 31% who believe Donald Trump was the legitimate winner in 2020.

Seventy-six percent (76%) believe voters should be required to show photo ID before casting a ballot. The ban on photo ID requirements has been one of the most unpopular aspects of the “For The People Act.” That law would also prohibit states from requiring all ballots to be received by Election Day.

Seventy-eight percent (78%) of voters are concerned that giant tech companies can swing an election in favor of their preferred candidate. Fifty-five percent (55%) of voters believe letting government bureaucrats set rules without approval of Congress or voters is a major threat to democracy.

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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.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from July 8-10, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 231 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. 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.

Seventy percent (70%) of voters want all mail-in ballots to be received by Election Day. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 21% are opposed to that requirement and 9% are not sure.

Those totals include 47% who Strongly Favor the Election Day deadline and 11% who are Strongly Opposed.

Requiring mail-in ballots to be received by Election Day is favored by 83% of Republicans, 63% of Democrats, and 55% of Independent voters. In fact, that requirement is favored by a majority of every measured demographic group.

The survey also found that 65% believe government agencies should be required to report the vote totals from all ballots either on Election Night or the next day. Eighteen percent (18%) are opposed to such a requirement and 16% are not sure.

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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.

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from July 8-10, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 231 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. 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.

Eighty-three percent (83%) of Pennsylvania voters say it’s important to reform Pennsylvania’s voting laws before the next election. A Political IQ survey found that just 11% disagree.

Those totals include 63% who say election law reform is Very Important and only 3% who say it is Not at All Important.

There’s also strong support for many specific reforms:

• 88% agree that, prior to the election, government agencies should clean the voter registration files and remove the names of all who have moved or died.
• 75% strongly approve of requiring all mail-in ballots to be received by Election Day.
• 68% think government agencies should be required to report the vote totals from all ballots on Election Night.
• 88% believe both Republican and Democratic party officials should be allowed in the room for every step of the ballot collection and ballot counting procedures.
• 75% say all voters who cast their ballot in person should be required to show a photo ID before voting.
• For those who mail in their ballot, 58% believe they should they required to include a copy of their photo ID.
• 56% want ballot harvesting to be outlawed.

Additionally, 69% want mail-in ballots sent only to those who request them. Twenty-seven percent (27%) believe they should be sent to all voters.

Methodology

The online survey of 1,000 Registered Voters in Pennsylvania was conducted by Scott Rasmussen from November 16-19, 2020. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, and political party to reasonably reflect the state’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population. Among the respondents who voted in the presidential election, 50% voted for Biden, 46% for Trump, and 3% for some other candidate. The actual vote count in Pennsylvania shows Biden at 50%, Trump at 49%, and Libertarian Jo Jorgensen at 1%. The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 3.1 percentage points.