Raleigh, N.C. – Republicans again lead the generic Congressional ballot test, 45-42, a slight jump over a 43-43 tie last month and a 43-41 Democratic edge in June. These are the GOP’s best numbers since April, when they had a 47-42 advantage. The difference in the last month is small movements towards Democrats among independents, from a 38-31 GOP edge to only 37-33 now, but Democrats have become slightly less unified around their party’s candidates and Republicans more so around theirs.
Congressional Democrats are still more popular than their Republican counterparts, but that is not saying much. Democrats’ favorability mark stayed steady at 34-58 (33-57 in July), but Republicans’ has improved from 20-62 in June, 20-60 in July, to 24-61 now.
Overall, the voter enthusiasm figures have changed little since July, with 58% claiming to be very excited, 23% somewhat excited, and 15% not very excited (57-22-17 last month). But while Republicans still have an excitement edge—67% of them say they are very excited about voting—that is essentially the same as the 66% who said that last month. Democrats, meanwhile, have become more motivated, at 56% very excited, versus July’s 51%. Independents are down from 55% very excited to 50%.
34% support legalizing marijuana, to 52% who oppose it. Among the 27% who say they have smoked marijuana, 52% support legalization, versus only 25% support among the 63% who have never tried marijuana.
While only 33% think same-sex marriage should be legal, to 57% who think it should be illegal, 53% think it will be legal in 20 years, with 32% saying it will not.
“Despite improvements in President Obama’s own numbers, things are not looking quite as rosy for Congressional Democrats, and the GOP’s chances of gaining seats in Congress are ticking upward,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy Polling.
PPP surveyed 606 American voters from August 6th to 9th. The survey’s margin of error is +/-4.0%. 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 How excited are you about casting your vote in
the midterm election this fall?
Very excited……………………………………………. 58%
Somewhat excited …………………………………… 23%
Not very excited………………………………………. 15%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 4%
Q2 Do you approve or disapprove of the job
Democrats in Congress are doing?
Approve…………….. 34%
Disapprove………… 58%
Not sure ……………. 8%
Q3 Do you approve or disapprove of the job
Republicans in Congress are doing?
Approve…………….. 24%
Disapprove………… 61%
Not sure ……………. 15%
Q4 If the election for Congress was today would
you vote for a Democrat or a Republican?
Democrat ……………………………………………….. 42%
Republican……………………………………………… 45%
Undecided………………………………………………. 14%
Q5 Do you support or oppose the legalization of
marijuana?
Support ………………………………………………….. 34%
Oppose ………………………………………………….. 52%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 14%
Q6 Do you think same-sex marriage should be
legal or illegal?
Legal……………………………………………………… 33%
Illegal …………………………………………………….. 57%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 11%
Q7 20 years from now do you think same sex
marriage will be legal or illegal?
Legal……………………………………………………… 53%
Illegal …………………………………………………….. 32%
Not sure …………………………………………………. 15%
Q8 Who did you vote for President in 2008?
John McCain…………………………………………… 45%
Barack Obama………………………………………… 48%
Someone else/Don’t remember …………………. 7%
Q9 Would you describe yourself as a liberal,
moderate, or conservative?
Liberal ……………………………………………………. 19%
Moderate………………………………………………… 42%
Conservative…………………………………………… 39%
Q10 If you are a woman, press 1. If a man, press 2.
Woman………………………………………………….. 52%
Man……………………………………………………….. 48%
Q11 If you are a Democrat, press 1. If a Republican,
press 2. If you are an independent or identify
with another party, press 3.
Democrat……………………………………………….. 39%
Republican……………………………………………… 35%
Independent/Other…………………………………… 25%
Q12 If you are Hispanic, press 1. If white, press 2.
If African-American, press 3. If other, press 4.
Hispanic…………………………………………………. 10%
White …………………………………………………….. 74%
African-American …………………………………….. 12%
Other……………………………………………………… 4%
Q13 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………………………………………………….. 11%
30 to 45………………………………………………….. 25%
46 to 65………………………………………………….. 49%
Older than 65………………………………………….. 16%
Q14 How would you describe your current
employment status? If you are employed full
time, press 1. If you are employed part time,
press 2. If you are unemployed and looking for
work, press 3. If you are a student, press 4. If
you are a homemaker, press 5. If other, press
6
Full Time………………………………………………… 46%
Part Time ……………………………………………….. 10%
Unemployed……………………………………………. 8%
Student ………………………………………………….. 3%
Homemaker ……………………………………………. 8%
Other……………………………………………………… 25%
Q15 Have you ever smoked Marijuana? If yes,
press 1. If no, press 2. If you don’t care to
say, press 3.
Yes ……………………………………………………….. 27%
No …………………………………………………………. 63%
N/A………………………………………………………… 11%
