Republican men are the most excited about casting their vote in the upcoming fall elections. Those who voted for John McCain are more eager to get back to the polling stations than those who voted for President Obama, 55- 41 percent. Moderates are generally apathetic.
Although this is consistent with historical midterm trends, this excitement could also be attributed to other political factors such as the Tea Party movement.
However, if North Carolina voters vote they are more likely to vote Democratic, 43-42 percent. This is a slight ideological shift from early May, when voters favored Republicans in the same generic state legislature race 44-42.
Public opinion of the state legislature is unfavorable. Republican legislators fare worse with a mere 28 percent favorability. Democrats rallied a 33 percent approval rating.
Moderates tend to favor Democrats over Republicans, 37- 21 percent.
“Democrats can win in North Carolina,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling, “but they will have to focus on energizing the base, recruiting the middle and getting out the vote. This year North Carolina Democratic candidates won’t have the luxury of Obama’s coattails.”
PPP surveyed 601 North Carolina voters from June 4th– 6th. The survey’s margin of error is +/-3.9%. Other factors, such as refusal to be interviewed and weighting, may introduce additional error that is more difficult to quantify.
If you would like an interview regarding this release, please contact Dean Debnam at (888) 621-6988 or 919-880-4888.
Topline results are below. Full results, including crosstabs, can be found here.
Q1 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of the Democrats in the legislature?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 33%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 49%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 17%
Q2 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion
of the Republicans in the legislature?
Favorable……………………………………………….. 28%
Unfavorable ……………………………………………. 52%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 20%
Q3 If there was an election for the state legislature
today, would you vote Democratic or
Republican?
Democratic……………………………………………… 43%
Republican……………………………………………… 42%
Undecided………………………………………………. 15%
Q4 How excited are you about casting your vote in
the general election this fall?
Very excited……………………………………………. 46%
Somewhat excited …………………………………… 27%
Not very excited………………………………………. 22%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 5%
Q5 Who did you vote for President last year?
John McCain…………………………………………… 46%
Barack Obama………………………………………… 47%
Someone else/Don’t remember …………………. 7%
Q6 Would you describe yourself as a liberal,
moderate, or conservative?
Liberal ……………………………………………………. 18%
Moderate………………………………………………… 40%
Conservative…………………………………………… 42%
Q7 Would you describe the community you live in
as urban, suburban, rural, or a small town?
Urban…………………………………………………….. 14%
Suburban ……………………………………………….. 32%
Rural ……………………………………………………… 27%
Small Town…………………………………………….. 28%
Q8 If you are a woman, press 1, if a man, press 2.
Woman ………………………………………………….. 55%
Man……………………………………………………….. 45%
Q9 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If you are a
Republican, press 2. If you are an independent
or identify with another party, press 3.
Democrat ……………………………………………….. 47%
Republican……………………………………………… 34%
Independent/Other…………………………………… 19%
Q10 If you are white, press one now. If you are
African-American, press two now. If other,
press 3.
White …………………………………………………….. 75%
African-American …………………………………….. 22%
Other……………………………………………………… 3%
Q11 If you are 18 to 29 years old, press 1 now. If
you are 30 to 45, press 2. If you are 46 to 65,
press 3. If older, press 4.
18 to 29………………………………………………….. 8%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 25%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 47%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 20%
Q12
252………………………………………………………… 12%
336………………………………………………………… 22%
704………………………………………………………… 18%
828………………………………………………………… 12%
910………………………………………………………… 14%
919………………………………………………………… 23%
