Results from the May 2015 Vanderbilt Poll.

1. 11th Vanderbilt University Poll
April 23 – May 9, 2015
John G. Geer & Joshua D. Clinton, Co-Directors
May 13, 2015
1,001 registered voters in Tennessee
MoE: +/- 4.3 percentage points

2. Obama Approval
41%
42%
45%
40%
28%
39%
34%
35%
0%
20%
40%
60%
February
2012
May
2012
December
2012
May
2013
December
2013
May
2014
November
2014
May
2015
%
APPROVAL
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Polls
May 2015 Poll: N=1,001; MoE: +/- 4.30%

3. Perceptions of the Economy
44%
53%
52%
66%
60%
64%
67%
24%
23%
33%
31%
32%
32%
39%
48%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
February
2012
May
2012
December
2012
May
2013
December
2013
May
2014
November
2014
May
2015
%
“VERY
GOOD”
OR
“FAIRLY
GOOD”
TN
economy
U.S.
economy
Source: Vanderbilt University Polls
May 2015 Poll: N=1,001; MoE: +/- 4.30%
Among TN Registered Voters

4. Perceptions of the Economy by Partisanship
66%
66%
34%
66%
49%
67%
21%
70%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Na6onal
economy
TN
state
economy
%
“VERY
GOOD”
OR
“FAIRLY
GOOD”
Democrats
Republicans
Independents
Tea
Party
Members
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=1,001; MoE: +/- 4.30%

5. Perceptions of State Economy by Region
62%
82%
71%
57%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
%
“VERY
GOOD”
OR
“FAIRLY
GOOD”
Eastern
TN
Nashville
area
Central
TN
(ex.
Nashville)
Memphis/Western
TN
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=1,001; MoE: +/- 4.30%

6. Approval of Haslam & State Legislature
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Polls
May 2015 Poll: N=1,001; MoE: +/- 4.30%
61%
64%
68%
63%
61%
58%
70%
67%
49%
51%
53%
51%
53%
49%
55%
55%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
February
2012
May
2012
December
2012
May
2013
December
2013
May
2014
November
2014
May
2015
%
APPROVAL
Governor
Bill
Haslam
Tennessee
State
Legislature

7. Approval of Tennessee Senators
56%
55%
53%
49%
49%
51%
49%
52%
59%
55%
52%
49%
52%
53%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
May
2012
December
2012
May
2013
December
2013
May
2014
November
2014
May
2015
%
APPROVAL
Lamar
Alexander
Bob
Corker
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Polls
May 2015 Poll: N=1,001; MoE: +/- 4.30%

8. Approval of State Leaders by Partisanship
60%
34%
39%
41%
75%
65%
68%
70%
68%
45%
52%
51%
70%
50%
48%
74%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Haslam
Alexander
Corker
State
Legislature
Democrats
Republicans
Independents
Tea
Party
Members
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=1,001; MoE: +/- 4.30%

9. Top Priority of TN State Government Over Time
60%
60%
50%
48%
48%
40%
44%
12%
10%
15%
17%
18%
20%
19%
21%
18%
18%
28%
27%
27%
24%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
May
2012
December
2012
May
2013
December
2013
May
2014
November
2014
May
2015
Economy
Health
Care
Educa]on
Which of the following do you think should be the top priority of the Tennessee state government?
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Polls
May 2015 Poll: N=1,001; MoE: +/- 4.30%

10. Opinion – State Legislative Priorities
Thinking back to what the State Legislature accomplished over the past five months, would you say that it (1) spent enough
time on issues that you care about, or (2) did not spend enough time on issues that you care about?
25%
63%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Spent
enough
]me
on
issues
I
care
about
Did
not
spend
enough
]me
on
issues
I
care
about
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=1,001; MoE: +/- 4.30%

11. Opinion – State Legislative Priorities
19%
72%
29%
56%
24%
68%
32%
59%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Spent
enough
]me
on
issues
I
care
about
Did
not
spend
enough
]me
on
issues
I
care
about
Democrats
Republicans
Independents
Tea
Party
Members
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=1,001; MoE: +/- 4.30%
Thinking back to what the State Legislature accomplished over the past five months, would you say that it (1) spent enough
time on issues that you care about, or (2) did not spend enough time on issues that you care about?

12. Support for Insure Tennessee
Many public officials in Tennessee are considering implementing “Insure Tennessee,” a program proposed by Governor
Haslam that would expand health insurance coverage to 280,000 low-income people without health insurance in the state.
Do you [support] neither support nor oppose, or [oppose] expanding health care coverage for low-income people in the
state?
64%
13%
19%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Support
Neither
support
nor
oppose
Oppose
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=1,001; MoE: +/- 4.30%

13. Support for Insure Tennessee by Partisanship
85%
5%
8%
49%
19%
28%
65%
13%
17%
42%
17%
40%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Support
Neither
support
nor
oppose
Oppose
Democrats
Republicans
Independents
Tea
Party
Members
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=1,001; MoE: +/- 4.30%
Many public officials in Tennessee are considering implementing “Insure Tennessee,” a program proposed by Governor
Haslam that would expand health insurance coverage to 280,000 low-income people without health insurance in the state.
Do you [support] neither support nor oppose, or [oppose] expanding health care coverage for low-income people in the
state?

14. Opinion – Need for Legislative Vote on Insure Tennessee
Recently, the State Legislature and Governor Haslam disagreed over “Insure Tennessee.” Some argue that the legislature
was right to not bring the proposal to a vote because some elected officials disagreed with parts of the program. Others say
that the full legislature should have been able to vote on the program so that everyone could express their opinions. Do you
think that the full legislature should vote on Insure Tennessee, or do you think that a vote isn't needed?
78%
15%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Full
legislature
should
vote
Vote
isn't
needed
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=1,001; MoE: +/- 4.30%

15. Opinion – Need for Legislative Vote on Insure Tennessee
by Partisanship
83%
11%
73%
22%
82%
14%
68%
25%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Full
legislature
should
vote
Vote
isn't
needed
Democrats
Republicans
Independents
Tea
Party
Members
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=1,001; MoE: +/- 4.30%
Recently, the State Legislature and Governor Haslam disagreed over “Insure Tennessee.” Some argue that the legislature
was right to not bring the proposal to a vote because some elected officials disagreed with parts of the program. Others say
that the full legislature should have been able to vote on the program so that everyone could express their opinions. Do you
think that the full legislature should vote on Insure Tennessee, or do you think that a vote isn't needed?

16. Favorability of Proposed Gun Control Legislation by
Partisanship
The Tennessee State Legislature is considering legislation on a number of issues related to gun control. Would you favor or
oppose each of the following measures?
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Polls
May 2015 Poll: N=1,001; MoE: +/- 4.30%
50%
49%
44%
42%
21%
9%
59%
29%
20%
49%
12%
5%
46%
58%
50%
39%
23%
10%
55%
50%
49%
45%
21%
11%
30%
68%
65%
30%
44%
16%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Banning
anyone
from
carrying
a
gun
from
coming
within
250
feet
of
a
school
Allowing
Tennesseeans
to
take
their
guns
to
all
of
the
same
places
allowed
for
off-­‐duty
police
Allowing
Tennesseeans
to
have
firearms
in
public
parks
Banning
guns
on
any
property
owned,
used,
or
operated
by
schools
Allowing
Tennesseeans
to
carry
guns
openly
or
concealed
in
public
without
a
permit
Allowing
Tennesseeans
to
purchase
a
gun
without
having
a
background
check
%
FAVOR
All
respondents
Democrats
Republicans
Independents
Tea
Party
Members

17. Support for Gas Tax by Partisanship
Elected officials in Tennessee are considering raising the gas tax for the first time in more than 25 years. Revenues from the
tax will help fund improvements to roads throughout the state [as well as develop mass transit alternatives that would
relieve traffic]. Do you [favor], neither favor nor oppose, or [oppose] an increase in the gas tax, or haven’t you heard
enough about it?
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=1,001; MoE: +/- 4.30%
25%
5%
46%
24%
27%
8%
39%
25%
21%
3%
50%
26%
32%
7%
41%
21%
13%
2%
69%
17%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Support
Neither
support
nor
oppose
Oppose
Haven't
heard
enough
All
respondents
Democrats
Republicans
Independents
Tea
Party
Members

18. Support for State Education Initiatives
29%
25%
24%
17%
0%
20%
40%
Improving
teacher
performance
in
schools
Improving
the
state's
lowest
performing
schools
Developing
challenging
educa6on
standards
Crea6ng
beSer
tests
to
more
accurately
measure
student
achievement
Of the following state education initiatives, which do you think is the MOST important?
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=489; MoE: +/- 6.15%

19. Support for State Education Initiatives by Use
(1) Of the following state education initiatives, which do you think is the MOST important?
(2) Do you have children who currently attend K-12 public school in Tennessee?
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=489; MoE: +/- 6.15%
37%
27%
24%
10%
27%
25%
23%
19%
0%
20%
40%
Improving
teacher
performance
in
schools
Improving
the
state's
lowest
performing
schools
Developing
challenging
educa6on
standards
Crea6ng
beSer
tests
to
more
accurately
measure
student
achievement
Has
child
in
TN
pub.
schools
Does
not
have
child
in
TN
pub.
schools

20. Views on Marijuana Legalization
Which of the following statements comes closer to your view about the use of marijuana by adults?
Among TN Registered Voters
32%
29%
24%
44%
42%
48%
22%
26%
25%
0%
20%
40%
60%
May
2014
November
2014
May
2015
Should
be
legal
for
personal
use
Should
be
legal
only
for
medicinal
use
Should
not
be
legal
Source: Vanderbilt University Polls
May 2015 Poll: N=488; MoE: +/- 6.16%

21. Views on Marijuana Legalization by Partisanship
33%
52%
12%
12%
44%
44%
29%
52%
15%
11%
39%
48%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Should
be
legal
for
personal
use
Should
be
legal
only
for
medicinal
use
Should
not
be
legal
Democrats
Republicans
Independents
Tea
Party
Members
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=488; MoE: +/- 6.16%
Which of the following statements comes closer to your view about the use of marijuana by adults?

22. Views on “Right to Die”
If a person has a disease that cannot be cured and is living in pain, do you think doctors should be allowed to assist the
patient by some painless means to end their life if the patient and his or her family request it?
55%
39%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Yes
No
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=519; MoE: +/- 5.98%
Among TN Registered Voters

23. Views on “Right to Die” by Partisanship
67%
29%
47%
45%
60%
35%
58%
33%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Yes
No
Democrats
Republicans
Independents
Tea
Party
Members
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=519; MoE: +/- 5.98%
If a person has a disease that cannot be cured and is living in pain, do you think doctors should be allowed to assist the
patient by some painless means to end their life if the patient and his or her family request it?

24. Right to Die – Legalization Options
28%
25%
12%
31%
0%
20%
40%
Doctors
should
be
allowed
to
painlessly
end
the
person's
life
if
the
person
requests
it
Doctors
should
be
allowed
to
painlessly
end
the
person's
life
only
if
the
person
and
the
person's
family
request
it
The
person
should
be
allowed
to
have
their
life
ended
by
any
means
they
desire
There
are
no
circumstances
under
which
an
individual
should
be
allowed
to
end
their
life
Recently, the State Legislature discussed a bill about a person's right to die. Which of the following comes closest to your
view about what a person with an incurable disease should be able to do?
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=482; MoE: +/- 6.20%

25. Right to Die – Legalization Options
31%
26%
14%
23%
20%
27%
9%
40%
29%
22%
13%
31%
24%
15%
15%
43%
0%
20%
40%
60%
Doctors
should
be
allowed
to
painlessly
end
the
person's
life
if
the
person
requests
it
Doctors
should
be
allowed
to
painlessly
end
the
person's
life
only
if
the
person
and
the
person's
family
request
it
The
person
should
be
allowed
to
have
their
life
ended
by
any
means
they
desire
There
are
no
circumstances
under
which
an
individual
should
be
allowed
to
end
their
life
Democrats
Republicans
Independents
Tea
Party
Members
Recently, the State Legislature discussed a bill about a person's right to die. Which of the following comes closest to your
view about what a person with an incurable disease should be able to do?
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=482; MoE: +/- 6.20%

26. Support for Bible as State Book
The Tennessee State Legislature recently considered a law making the Bible the official state book. [Some elected officials
opposed this bill because they believe the Bible deserves more respect than being listed beside the state song or state bird.
Others wanted to acknowledge the importance of the Bible.] Do you support or oppose recognizing the Bible as the state
book of Tennessee?
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=1,001; MoE: +/- 4.30%
60%
50%
72%
54%
80%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
%
SUPPORT
All
respondents
Democrats
Republicans
Independents
Tea
Party
Members

27. Support for Police Cameras
Would you support or oppose requiring patrol officers in your area to wear small video cameras whenever they’re on duty?
86%
11%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Support
Oppose
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=505; MoE: +/- 6.06%

28. Support for Repeal of Motorcycle Helmet Law
There is currently a state law requiring all motorcycle riders to wear a helmet regardless of age. Would you support or
oppose a law making it legal for adults age 21 or over to ride a motorcycle WITHOUT a helmet?
22%
75%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
Support
Oppose
Among TN Registered Voters
Source: Vanderbilt University Poll
May 2015
N=496; MoE: +/- 6.11%