NC House Survey Shows Voters Prioritize Economy, Differ on Issues
1. North Carolina House Legislative Partners
Survey of 600 Registered Voters
January 22 – 23, 2013
2. Level of Interest in Politics and Elections
On a scale from 1-10, with one being “not at all interested” and ten being “extremely interested, how
interested would you say you are in politics and elections for public office?
60% 54.3%
50% 8-10 Level of 4-7 Level of 1-3 Level of
N=
Interest Interest Interest
39.3% Liberal 123 67.5% 25.2% 5.7%
Moderate 193 47.7% 46.1% 5.7%
40%
Conservative 259 54.4% 40.2% 5.0%
Republican 201 52.7% 39.3% 6.5%
Democrat 267 52.8% 40.4% 6.0%
30% Unaffiliated 125 60.8% 36.8% 2.4%
Tea Party 66 74.2% 18.2% 7.6%
White 450 53.3% 40.4% 5.3%
20% Black 115 59.1% 34.8% 4.3%
Male 288 54.2% 41.0% 3.8%
Female 312 54.5% 37.8% 6.7%
10% 5.3%
1.0%
0%
8-10 4-7 1-3 Don't
Know
N=600
3. North Carolina is Moderate to Conservative
If you had to label yourself, would you say you are a liberal, a moderate, or a conservative in your political
beliefs?
35% 32.2%
30%
23.7% Very Somewhat Somewhat Very
25% N= Moderate
Liberal Liberal Conservative Conservative
19.5% Republican 201 1.0% 0.5% 17.4% 33.3% 43.8%
20% Democrat 267 16.9% 20.6% 38.2% 11.2% 7.5%
11.2% Unaffiliated 125 7.2% 8.8% 41.6% 16.0% 24.8%
15% 9.3% Tea Party 66 1.5% 3.0% 10.6% 21.2% 63.6%
White 459 8.0% 8.0% 31.3% 21.6% 27.1%
10% Black 115 9.6% 25.2% 36.5% 10.4% 13.0%
4.2% Male 288 7.6% 8.7% 30.2% 21.9% 27.1%
5% Female 312 10.9% 13.5% 34.0% 17.3% 20.5%
0%
N=600
4. How Voters Feel About Where NC is Headed
In general, do you believe that North Carolina is heading in the right direction or the wrong direction?
49.2%
50%
Right Wrong Don't
N=
45% Direction Direction Know/ Ref
Liberal 123 41.5% 40.7% 17.9%
40% Moderate 193 47.7% 33.2% 19.2%
31.0%
Conservative 259 54.8% 24.7% 20.5%
35% Republican 201 60.7% 22.4% 16.9%
Democrat 267 43.8% 35.2% 21.0%
30%
Unaffiliated 125 40.8% 37.6% 21.6%
25% 19.8% Tea Party 66 65.2% 19.7% 15.2%
White 450 49.1% 30.9% 20.0%
20% Black 115 53.9% 28.7% 17.4%
Male 288 47.2% 30.6% 22.2%
15%
Female 312 51.0% 31.4% 17.6%
10%
5%
0%
Right Wrong Dk/Refused
N=600
5. Most Important Issue Facing North Carolina
In your opinion, what is the single most important issue facing North Carolina today?
39.7%
40%
35%
30% 22.3%
25%
20%
15%
7.5% 7.0%
10% 4.9% 2.2% 1.8%
5% 1.0%
0%
Republicans, Democrats and Unaffiliated voters all cited “unemployment” and “the economy” as most
important issue – 69.2% (GOP), 60.6% (DEM) and 63.2% (UNA). Second issue set for GOP was Taxes
(11.4%) , DEM was Education (7.9%), UNA was Taxes (7.2%).
N=600 (Open Ended Question)
6. Issues of Interest
In general, are you most interested in economic issues, like taxes, jobs and the budget; foreign affairs and national security
issues, including terrorism and war; social issues, like education, healthcare and the environment; urban issues, like
crime, drugs, welfare reform, and immigration; or moral issues like “pro-life” and anti-pornography?
58.0%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20.7%
20%
10.8%
10% 4.5%
3.0% 3.0%
0%
Economic Social Moral Foreign Affairs Urban Don't
Know/Refused
7. Issues of Interest continued…
GOP DEM IND
70% 65.8%
61.2%52.8%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20.0%
17.1% 16.4%
20%
10.4% 10.5%
7.9%
10% 5.7%
4.5%
2.9% 3.5%
2.6%
1.3%
0%
Economic Social Moral Foreign Affairs Urban
N=600
8. Opinions About Capital Punishment
When it comes to acts of violent crimes, would you say you support or oppose North Carolina having the
death penalty as a punishment for those who commit first-degree murder?
69.7%
70%
60% Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly
N=
Support Support Oppose Oppose
Liberal 123 17.9% 31.7% 17.1% 29.3%
50% Moderate 193 39.4% 22.8% 10.9% 17.1%
Conservative 259 65.3% 18.5% 7.3% 5.0%
Republican 201 62.2% 22.4% 6.5% 6.0%
40% Democrat 267 33.7% 25.5% 12.0% 22.8%
Unaffiliated 125 48.0% 18.4% 13.6% 9.6%
24.5% Ticket Spilter 172 46.5% 24.4% 11.0% 11.6%
30%
Suburban Female 75 44.0% 28.0% 13.3% 13.3%
Male 288 52.1% 22.9% 9.4% 11.8%
20% Female 312 41.3% 23.4% 11.2% 16.3%
5.8%
10%
0%
Support Oppose DK/Refused
N=600
9. Opinion on Guns and Public Safety
Lawmakers should toughen criminal penalties for anyone who uses a gun in the act of committing a
crime.
92.0%
100%
90%
Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly
N=
Support Support Oppose Oppose
80%
Liberal 123 73.2% 20.3% 4.1% 0.0%
70% Moderate 193 77.2% 14.0% 4.1% 0.5%
Conservative 259 81.9% 10.8% 1.9% 3.9%
60% Republican 201 82.1% 10.9% 3.0% 2.5%
Democrat 267 77.2% 15.0% 3.7% 1.1%
50% Unaffiliated 125 73.6% 16.0% 3.2% 2.4%
Fav. NRA 281 79.7% 12.8% 2.5% 3.2%
40% Ticket Spilter 172 81.4% 11.6% 1.7% 1.7%
Suburban Female 75 74.7% 13.3% 5.3% 4.0%
30% Male 288 77.4% 14.9% 2.4% 2.4%
Female 312 78.8% 12.8% 4.2% 1.3%
20%
5.2% 2.8%
10%
0%
Agree Disagree DK/Refused
N=600
10. Opinion on Guns and Public Safety
Lawmakers should provide training for teachers in self-defense and the use of firearms so they can be
licensed to carry a firearm at school in order to better protect students.
55.2%
60%
Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly
50% N=
40.0% Support Support Oppose Oppose
Liberal 123 12.2% 6.5% 16.3% 60.2%
Moderate 193 17.6% 11.9% 13.5% 51.3%
40% Conservative 259 35.9% 21.2% 16.6% 22.8%
Republican 201 30.3% 25.9% 15.4% 24.4%
Democrat 267 19.1% 7.5% 17.2% 50.6%
30% Unaffiliated 125 30.4% 14.4% 10.4% 40.8%
Fav. NRA 281 36.7% 21.4% 15.7% 21.0%
Ticket Spilter 172 23.3% 16.3% 13.4% 39.5%
20% Suburban Female 75 17.3% 17.3% 22.7% 38.7%
Male 288 21.9% 17.0% 16.3% 41.3%
Female 312 27.9% 13.1% 13.8% 39.1%
10% 4.8%
0%
Agree Disagree DK/Refused
12. Opinions on Guns and Public Safety
Lawmakers should increase funding for public schools to allow for armed police officers to be present
during school-time hours?
80% 72.3%
70% Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly
N=
Favor Favor Oppose Oppose
60% Liberal 123 42.3% 23.6% 8.9% 18.7%
Moderate 193 46.1% 21.8% 14.0% 15.0%
Conservative 259 56.0% 23.6% 7.7% 10.4%
50% Republican 201 47.3% 25.4% 11.9% 11.9%
Democrat 267 51.3% 21.7% 9.4% 12.7%
40% Unaffiliated 125 52.8% 18.4% 10.4% 16.8%
Fav. NRA 281 55.2% 23.8% 7.8% 10.7%
30% 24.0% Ticket Spilter 172 47.1% 28.5% 10.5% 11.6%
Suburban Female 75 32.0% 36.0% 10.7% 16.0%
Male 288 46.2% 25.0% 11.1% 15.6%
20% Female 312 53.8% 24.7% 9.6% 11.9%
10% 3.7%
0%
Agree Disagree DK/Refused
N=600
13. Opinions on Guns and Public Safety
Lawmakers should allow juries to consider the death penalty for all who are convicted of using a gun in
the act of committing a murder regardless if the murder was premeditated or not.
55.0%
60%
Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly
50% N=
Favor Favor Oppose Oppose
Liberal 123 25.2% 22.0% 20.3% 24.4%
37.2% Moderate 193 30.6% 22.3% 19.7% 19.7%
40% Conservative 259 40.5% 21.2% 14.3% 18.1%
Republican 201 40.8% 22.4% 12.9% 17.9%
Democrat 267 22.7% 22.5% 18.7% 21.3%
30% Unaffiliated 125 36.8% 18.4% 20.8% 19.2%
Fav. NRA 281 44.5% 20.6% 15.3% 12.8%
Ticket Spilter 172 34.3% 21.5% 17.4% 18.0%
20% Suburban Female 75 32.0% 21.3% 17.3% 22.7%
Male 288 34.7% 20.5% 17.4% 20.1%
Female 312 32.7% 22.1% 17.3% 19.6%
7.8%
10%
0%
Agree Disagree DK/Refused
N=600
14. Opinions on Guns and Public Safety
Which statement best reflects your opinion:
I. Lawmakers need to toughen gun laws and make it more difficult for people to buy certain types of guns, OR
II. Lawmakers need to focus on tougher penalties for those who use guns while committing a crime and work
to curb violent behavior by a renewed focus on mental healthcare in America.
49.3%
50%
Gun Tougher Don't
45% N= Both
Laws Penalities Know/ Ref
31.8%
40% Liberal 123 51.2% 25.2% 22.0% 1.6%
35% Moderate 193 36.3% 40.9% 20.7% 2.1%
Conservative 259 19.3% 67.6% 9.3% 3.9%
30% 201 18.4%
Republican 69.2% 9.0% 3.5%
25% Democrat 267 46.4% 32.2% 19.5% 1.9%
16.0%
20% Unaffiliated 125 22.4% 53.6% 20.0% 4.0%
Fav. NRA 281 14.6% 73.3% 7.8% 4.3%
15%
Ticket Spilter 172 30.8% 45.9% 19.8% 3.5%
10% Suburban Female 75 41.3% 40.0% 17.3% 1.3%
2.8%
5% Male 288 28.1% 54.9% 13.2% 3.8%
0% Female 312 35.3% 44.2% 18.6% 1.9%
N=600
15. Driver Licenses & Illegal Immigrants
Just recently, North Carolina’s Attorney Roy Cooper directed the Department of Motor Vehicles to start
issuing driver licenses to illegal immigrants who qualify for federal work papers under President Obama’s
Executive Order on immigration. Do you favor or oppose the state of North Carolina issuing driver
license to illegal immigrants who qualify for federal work papers?
39.2%
40%
35% Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly
N=
Favor Favor Oppose Oppose
27.0%
30% Liberal 123 47.2% 24.4% 5.4% 17.9%
Moderate 193 31.6% 23.8% 6.7% 32.1%
25%
18.7% Conservative 259 15.4% 12.7% 10.4% 56.8%
20% Republican 201 14.4% 11.9% 10.4% 57.7%
Democrat 267 40.1% 21.7% 9.7% 24.3%
15% 10.0% Unaffiliated 125 19.2% 23.2% 9.7% 24.3%
Ticket Spilter 172 22.1% 19.2% 6.4% 44.8%
10% 5.2% Suburban Female 75 22.7% 26.7% 9.3% 30.7%
5% Black 115 36.5% 26.1% 13.0% 20.9%
White 450 22.9% 17.3% 9.3% 44.7%
0% Male 288 26.7% 16.3% 10.1% 42.7%
Female 312 27.2% 20.8% 9.9% 35.9%
N=600
16. Changes to our Election Laws
Legislation that requires a person to present a valid photo ID to election officials in order to vote.
57.7%
60%
50%
Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly
N=
Favor Favor Oppose Oppose
40% Liberal 123 26.8% 17.1% 8.9% 44.7%
Moderate 193 42.0% 18.1% 8.3% 27.5%
Conservative 259 84.2% 6.2% 2.7% 5.8%
30% Republican 201 87.1% 8.2% 1.0% 3.0%
21.5% Democrat 267 32.6% 16.5% 11.2% 37.1%
12.7% Unaffiliated 125 64.0% 12.0% 2.4% 17.6%
20%
Ticket Spilter 172 64.5% 11.6% 4.1% 16.3%
5.8% Suburban Female 75 68.0% 6.7% 6.7% 14.7%
10% Black 115 27.7% 13.0% 10.4% 46.1%
2.3% White 450 65.6% 12.9% 4.7% 14.7%
Male 288 60.4% 13.2% 4.2% 21.2%
0%
Female 312 55.1% 12.2% 7.4% 21.8%
N=600
17. Changes to our Election Laws
Legislation that would require a person to register at least thirty days before an election and eliminate
same day voter registration.
29.5%
30%
26.2%
25% 21.7%
Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly
N=
Favor Favor Oppose Oppose
20% Liberal 123 26.8% 11.4% 11.4% 43.1%
Moderate 193 40.9% 14.5% 13.5% 27.5%
15% 12.5% Conservative 259 63.7% 14.7% 7.3% 9.3%
Republican 201 62.2% 15.9% 7.0% 9.5%
10.2% Democrat 267 31.8% 13.1% 13.9% 36.3%
10% Unaffiliated 125 57.6% 12.8% 9.6% 14.4%
Ticket Spilter 172 55.2% 11.6% 14.0% 14.5%
Suburban Female 75 45.3% 20.0% 16.0% 14.7%
5%
Black 115 33.0% 7.8% 15.7% 40.9%
White 450 51.8% 15.6% 9.3% 17.8%
0% Male 288 51.4% 11.8% 10.1% 23.3%
Female 312 44.9% 15.7% 10.9% 21.8%
N=600
18. Changes to our Election Laws
Legislation that reduces early voting from two and a-half weeks to just one-week, but adds more voting
locations to ensure voter access.
29.5%
30%
26.2%
25%
21.7%
Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly
N=
Favor Favor Oppose Oppose
20% Liberal 123 20.3% 20.3% 13.0% 38.2%
Moderate 193 23.3% 1920.0% 17.1% 30.1%
15%
Conservative 259 38.2% 23.6% 9.7% 17.8%
12.5%
Republican 201 35.8% 26.9% 10.4% 14.4%
10.2% Democrat 267 28.8% 17.6% 15.2% 26.4%
10% Unaffiliated 125 28.8% 17.6% 15.2% 26.4%
Ticket Spilter 172 30.8% 22.1% 13.4% 23.8%
Suburban Female 75 45.3% 20.0% 16.0% 14.7%
5%
Black 115 33.0% 7.8% 15.7% 40.9%
White 450 51.8% 15.6% 9.3% 17.8%
0% Male 288 51.4% 11.8% 10.1% 23.3%
Female 312 44.9% 15.7% 10.9% 21.8%
N=600
19. Changes to our Election Laws
Legislation that moves the primary election from May to March so candidates will have more time to
campaign for the November General Election.
35%
31.2%
30%
25% Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly
N=
19.7% Favor Favor Oppose Oppose
18.5%
20% 15.5% Liberal 123 16.3% 24.4% 15.4% 31.7%
15.2% Moderate 193 14.5% 16.6% 15.5% 39.4%
15% Conservative 259 25.9% 17.8% 13.9% 24.7%
Republican 201 18.9% 21.9% 13.4% 29.9%
10% Democrat 267 19.9% 17.6% 15.7% 33.0%
Unaffiliated 125 20.8% 16.0% 19.2% 27.2%
Ticket Spilter 172 15.7% 15.7% 18.0% 34.9%
5%
Suburban Female 75 10.7% 20.0% 12.0% 37.3%
Black 115 32.2% 20.9% 13.9% 21.7%
0% White 450 17.1% 18.2% 16.7% 32.4%
Male 288 20.5% 16.7% 19.1% 33.3%
Female 312 18.9% 20.2% 12.2% 29.2%
N=600
20. How Voters Receive Their Television Signal
Republicans: 52.2% Cable 32.3% Satellite
Democrats : 62.2% Cable 22.5% Satellite
Unaffiliated: 60.8% Cable 27.2% Satellite
58.2%
60%
50%
40%
26.8%
30%
20%
6.3%
10% 2.0% 4.0%
0.8% 0.8%
0%
Don't Have Other Internet Phone Antenna Cable Satellite TV
Provider
21. Viewing Habits by Political Affiliation
24.90% 17.40%
25%
20.90%
20%
4.50%
15% 13.9%
5.0%
10%
5.0%
5% 1.5%
0%
22. How Long have you lived North Carolina?
45.2% said their entire life. As a follow up, we asked: What was the last state you lived in, if it was another
country, then just say so?
Map of Top 10 States:
13.5%
4.3% 4.6%
4.6%
4.0%
9.8%
5.8%
4.9%
4.0%
States from the Northeast (34%) 7.1%
and Southeast (32.8%) make up 2/3
of where voters lived last before
moving to North Carolina.
23. Demographic Overview
• 21.3% - Urban Based Voters • 44.5% Registered Democratic
• 35.7% - Suburban Based Voters • 33.5% Registered Republican
• 41.7% - Rural Based Voters • 20.8% Registered Unaffiliated
• 45.2% - Lived in NC entire Life
• 37.8% Always/Usually Vote DEM
• 25.7% - > 20years
• 31.5% Always/Usually Vote GOP
• 12.3% - 11-20 years
• 28.7% Say They’re Ticket Splitters
• 16.2% - < 10 years
• 29.3% ----65 or older
• 47.2% - Are College Graduates
• 25.7% ---55-64 years old
• 29.2% - Received some College
• 24.7% ---41-54 years old
• 19.0% - High School Degree
• 16.83% ---26-40 years old
• 3.2% - Some High School or Less
• 2.5% ---18-25 years old
• 52.0% Female • 75.0% White
• 48.0% Male • 21.5% non-White
• 19.2% Black
