Canadians and Americans Want Holistic Approach on Opioids

Information, rehabilitation, appropriate prescriptions and “safe supply” are supported by large majorities of residents.

Vancouver, BC [October 6, 2020] – Residents of Canada and the United States are supportive of several measures to curb the opioid crisis, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, two-in-five Canadians (39%) and more than half of Americans (53%) describe the current situation related to the use of prescription and non-prescription opioid drugs in their community as “a major problem.”

When asked about specific ideas to address the opioid crisis, more than four-in-ten respondents in the two countries (84% in Canada and 86% in the United States) agree with launching more education and awareness campaigns about drug use.

Support is also particularly high for creating more spaces for drug rehabilitation (78% in Canada and 81% in Canada), reducing the prescription of opioids by medical professionals (73% in Canada and 76% in the United States), and establishing “safe supply” programs where alternatives to opioids can be prescribed by health professionals (70% in Canada and 78% in the United States).

Three-in-five respondents (59% in Canada and 60% in the United States) agree with setting up more “harm reduction” strategies, such as legal supervised injection sites.

The notion of decriminalizing all drugs for personal use is more contentious. In Canada, 53% of respondents disagree with this idea, while 34% are in favour of it and 14% are not sure.

In the United States, 47% of respondents agree with decriminalizing all drugs for personal use, while 43% disagree and 10% are undecided.

Across North America, the decriminalization of all drugs for personal use is more popular with men (36% in Canada and 61% in the United States) and respondents aged 35-to-54 (37% in Canada and 69% in the United States).

“Only 25% of Conservative Party voters in Canada are willing to decriminalize all drugs for personal use, compared to 38% of those who supported the Liberal Party in the last federal election,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In the United States, 55% of Republican Party supporters are in favour of decriminalization, along with 47% of Democrats.”

In Canada, just over a third of respondents (35%) say Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the federal government have done a “very good” or “good” job to come up with solutions to deal with the use of prescription and non-prescription opioid drugs, while 39% deem it “bad” or “very bad” and 26% are not sure.

The rating on this issue is higher for premiers and provincial governments (43%), mayors and councils (40%), provincial legislators (39%) and the local Member of Parliament (38%).

In the United States, governors and state administrations have the highest satisfaction rating in dealing with the opioid crisis (58%), along with mayors and local governments (also 58%). The numbers are lower for President Donald Trump and the federal government (46%) and Congress (44%).

Methodology:

Results are based on online studies conducted from September 4 to September 6, 2020, among representative samples of 1,000 adults in Canada and 1,200 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian and U.S. census figures for age, gender and region in each country. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points for Canada and +/- 2.8 percentage points for the United States

Find our Canadian tables here, our American tables here and download the press release here.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Race Relations Have Worsened for a Majority of Americans

The country is deeply divided on whether to rename U.S. Army installations christened after Confederate historical figures.

Vancouver, BC [September 30, 2020] – Adults in the United States hold ominous views on the issue of race relations, as considerable proportions of residents of specific ethnic background say they have experienced racism in the country, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 58% of Americans say race relations in the United States have worsened over the past two years, while only 30% believe they have improved.

Practically three-in-four respondents of Native American descent (73%) think race relations have worsened over the past two years—a view shared by 59% of White Americans, 58% of Asian and Pacific Islanders, 58% of African Americans and 46% of Hispanic and Latino Americans.

About three-in-five Americans say they have personally experienced behaviour that they would consider racist in the United States on social media (60%) and during day-to-day interactions with others (59%). 

Smaller proportions of Americans have endured racism at work (49%), at school (47%), during interactions with police or law enforcement officers (44%) and during interactions with the health care system (39%).

“Almost two thirds of Americans of African and Hispanic or Latino descent (64% each) say they have experienced racist behaviour when dealing with police and law enforcement in the United States,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion is lower for Native Americans (51%), Asian and Pacific Islanders (42%) and White Americans (38%).”

More than half of Americans say they have witnessed racist behaviour on social media (68%), during day-to-day interactions with others (65%), at work (56%), at school (55%) and during interactions with police or law enforcement officers (also 55%). 

More than two-in-five Americans (46%) say they have witnessed racist behaviour during interactions with the health care system.

A majority of Americans (56%) have a positive opinion of the Black Lives Matter movement, while 35% hold negative views. 

Perceptions on Black Lives Matter vary greatly according to ethnicity, from a high of 71% among African Americans to a low of 40% among Native Americans.

Half of Americans (50%) hold positive views on the #MeToo and #TimesUp movement, while 30% have a negative opinion.

Positive perceptions of #MeToo and #TimesUp are higher with Americans aged 18-to-34 and aged 35-to-54 (56% each) than among those aged 55 and over (40%).

Respondents to this survey were also asked about four recent decisions and proposals. 

More than half of Americans agree with NASCAR’s decision to ban the Confederate Flag from events (56%) while 33% disagree.

On a regional basis, agreement with NASCAR’s choice is highest in the West (64%), followed by the Midwest (58%), the South (54%) and the Northeast (52%).

The nationwide results are similar for the State of Mississippi’s decision to change its flag to a new one that will not feature the Confederate battle emblem. A majority of Americans (56%) agree with this decree, while one third (33%) disagree.

On this particular decision, support is also highest from Americans who reside in the West (64%), followed by the Midwest (57%), the South (55%) and the Northeast (50%).

Two other proposals are decidedly more contentious. While 46% of respondents agree with the removal of monuments and sculptures that feature Americans who owned slaves, 46% disagree and 8% are undecided.

Support for the removal of these monuments and sculptures stands at 63% among Democrats and 74% among African Americans, but drops to 42% among Independents, 30% among Republicans and 40% among White Americans.

The results are similar for the notion of renaming U.S. Army installations named after Confederate historical figures. Across the country, 45% of Americans agree with this proposal, while 44% disagree.

Support for changing the names of these installations is higher among Democrats (65%) and African Americans (61%) and lower among Republicans (28%) and White Americans (39%).

Methodology:
Results are based on online studies conducted on August 3 and August 4, 2020, and from September 4 to September 6, 2020, among 2,400 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 2.0 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Photo: Life Matters

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Most Canadians and Americans Would Shun Debate on Abortion

The proportion of Conservatives in Canada and Republicans in the U.S. who want a discussion on this topic fell by double digits.

Vancouver, BC [September 25, 2020] – The appetite for national discussions on abortion has dropped drastically in North America, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, 58% of Canadians and Americans believe there is no point in re-opening a debate about abortion in their respective countries.

Only three-in-ten Americans (30%) and one-in-four Canadians (25%) think a debate on abortion is long overdue and the discussion should be re-opened.

This represents a 16-point drop in the United States and a 12-point drop in Canada since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in July 2019.

Majorities of Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (64%), the New Democratic Party (NDP) (63%) and the Conservative Party (56%) in the last federal election believe there is no point in reopening a debate about abortion right now.

“Republicans in the United States and Conservatives in Canada are not particularly convinced that this is the right time to debate abortion,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “While 55% of Republicans were willing to engage in a national discussion about this topic in 2019, the proportion has fallen to 40% this year. Among Canadian Conservatives, appetite for this debate dropped from 44% to 28%.”

In Canada, just under half of residents (48%, +2 since 2019) think abortion should be legal under any circumstances. More than a third of Canadians (36%, -7) think the procedure should only be allowed under certain circumstances.

In the United States, more than two-in-five respondents (44%, -4) believe abortion should be legal only under certain circumstances, while more than a third (37%, +9) think the procedure should be legal under any circumstances.

Few Americans (13%, -6) and Canadians (8%, +3) endorse the concept of abortion being illegal in all circumstances.

Americans aged 35-to-54 (43%), residents of the West (46%) and Democrats (also 46%) are more likely to believe that abortion should be legal under any circumstances.

Methodology:

Results are based on online studies conducted from September 4 to September 6, 2020, among representative samples of 1,000 adults in Canada and 1,200 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian and U.S. census figures for age, gender and region in each country. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points for Canada and +/- 2.8 percentage points for the United States.

Find our Canadian tables here, our American tables here and download the press release here.

Photo by Josh Hild.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Most Americans Reject Lifting Term Limits for Presidents

Likely voters in the United States are more supportive of reforms that would reduce the tenures of Members of Congress.

Vancouver, BC [September 23, 2020] – The notion of allowing the President of the United States to serve more than two terms in office is not attractive to a large proportion of American likely voters, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of likely voters, only 6% of respondents are willing to lift term litis to allow American presidents to serve as many four-year terms as they want.

While one-in-four likely voters (26%) would prefer to limit the head of state to a single four-year term, almost two thirds (65%) would keep the current regulations that allow presidents to serve for two four-year terms,

“Support for completely abolishing term limits at the White House has dropped from 12% in a survey conducted in May 2013, four months after Barack Obama was sworn in for his final term, to 6% this year,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “A majority of likely voters in all regions believe the current guidelines should remain in place.”

Just over a third of likely voters (35%) would limit U.S. Senators to one six-year term, while a similar proportion (34%) would prefer to limit members of the upper house to two six-year terms.

While 9% of likely voters would endorse an 18-year tenure for U.S. Senators (three six-year terms), 16% would keep the current regulations that allow members of the upper house to serve as many terms as they want.

Half of likely voters in the United States (50%) are willing to limit members of the House of Representatives to six-year tenures (three two-year terms), while about one-in-five (21%) would prefer to allow members of the lower house to serve for up to 12 years.

Just under one-in-five likely voters (18%) would continue to allow members of the House of Representatives to serve as many terms as they want.

Methodology:
Results are based on an online study conducted from September 4 to September 6, 2020, among 1,200 American adults.  The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 2.8 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Canadians and Americans Differ on Issues Related to Animals

While residents of both countries hold similar views on animals as food, Canadians are more likely to oppose zoos and aquariums.

Vancouver, BC [September 22, 2020] – The perceptions of residents of Canada and the United States on animals are similar when it comes to food, but vary greatly on entertainment, fur and trophy hunting, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, 76% of Canadians and 75% of Americans are in favour of eating animals.

About two thirds of respondents in the two countries (65% in Canada and 67% in the United States) are in favour of hunting animals for meat.

While only 8% of Canadians endorse trophy hunting, the proportion rises to 25% in the United States.

“Residents of Canada and the United States establish a clear difference between hunting animals for meat and hunting animals for sport,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Still, while fewer than one-in-ten Canadians are in favour of trophy hunting, the proportion of Americans who consent to this practice is significantly higher.”

While almost two thirds of Americans (64%) favour keeping animals in zoos or aquariums, only 39% of Canadians share this point of view.

More than three-in-five American men (66%) and American women (61%) support keeping animals in zoos or aquariums. In Canada, 47% of men favour this practice, along with 33% of women.

The use of animals in rodeos is endorsed by almost half of Americans (46%) but only one third of Canadians (32%).

In Canada, 49% of Albertans are in favour of using animals in rodeos. Support for the practice is lower in Manitoba and Saskatchewan (39%), Atlantic Canada (36%), British Columbia (33%), Quebec (27%) and Ontario (24%).

In the United States, residents of the Midwest are more likely to favour the use of animals in rodeos (51%) than those in the South (47%), West (45%) and Northeast (39%).

Only one-in-four Americans (25%) and one-in-five Canadians (19%) are in favour of killing animals for their fur.

In Canada, support for killing animals for their fur is highest in Atlantic Canada (30%), followed by Saskatchewan and Manitoba (26%), Alberta (20%), Quebec (19%), Ontario (16%) and British Columbia (12%).

Methodology:

Results are based on online studies conducted from September 4 to September 6, 2020, among representative samples of 1,000 adults in Canada and 1,200 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian and U.S. census figures for age, gender and region in each country. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points for Canada and +/- 2.8 percentage points for the United States.

Find our Canadian tables here, our American tables here and download the press release here.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Thomas J. Whitmore is Most Popular Fictional President in U.S.

Three-in-five likely voters would vote for the character played by Bill Pullman in the movie “Independence Day”.

Vancouver, BC [September 16, 2020] – Three fictional presidents could count on the support of more than half of voters in the United States if they were actually running for office, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample asked American likely voters whether they would cast a ballot for seven different fictional presidents that have appeared in movies and television series.

Three-in-five respondents (61%) say they would “definitely” or “probably” vote for Thomas J. Whitmore (as played by Bill Pullman in the movie “Independence Day”) if he was actually running for office.

“Support for Whitmore is extraordinary across the political spectrum,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In this survey, 64% of Democrats, 60% of Independents and 56% of Republicans would vote for Whitmore.”

Two other presidents could count on the support of half of likely voters in an election: Andrew Shepherd (as played by Michael Douglas in the movie “The American President”) (56%) and Jed Bartlett (as played by Martin Sheen in the TV series “The West Wing”) (52%).

Shepherd and Bartlett—who are both portrayed as representing the Democratic Party—are particularly popular with American likely voters who identify as Democrats (62% for each fictional president). 

The proportion of would-be voters across the United States is slightly lower for David Palmer (as played by Dennis Haysbert in the TV series “24”) (48%), Dave Kovic (as played by Kevin Kline in the movie “Dave”) (44%) and Selina Meyer (as played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus in the TV Series “Veep”) (40%).

Francis Underwood (as played by Kevin Spacey in the TV series “House of Cards”) could count on the support of a third of likely voters in the United States (34%).

Palmer and Kovic are particularly popular with women (54% and 52% respectively). In addition, while 48% of female likely voters would cast a ballot for Meyer, only 34% of men would join them. 

Underwood has his best numbers among likely voters aged 18-to-34 (51%) but drops slightly to 44% among those aged 35-to-54. Only 13% of American likely voters aged 55 and over would consider casting a ballot for Underwood in a presidential election.

The most popular fictional presidents for White likely voters in the United States are Whitmore (59%) and Shepherd (55%). The top two is identical among likely voters of Hispanic and Latino descent (Whitmore 70%, Shepherd 63%), while African American voters choose Whitmore (61%) and Palmer (57%).

Methodology:
Results are based on an online study conducted from September 4 to September 6, 2020, among 1,200 American adults.  The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 2.8 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Pandemic Curbs Buying Behaviour of Sports Fans in North America

Canadians and Americans are less likely to purchase apparel from teams and watch games at a pub or bar than in 2019.

Vancouver, BC [September 11, 2020] – The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected the consumer behaviour of sports fans in Canada and the United States, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, only 12% of Americans and 8% of Canadians say they have gone to a pub or bar to watch professional sports in the year 2020.

In contrast, 23% of Americans and 18% of Canadians say they watched professional team sports at a pub or a bar in 2019.

While 23% of Americans and 16% of Canadians bought apparel from a professional sports team in 2019, the proportion has dropped to 15% in the United States and 7% in Canada during 2020.

In addition, 10% of Americans and 7% of Canadians have cancelled a subscription to a cable or satellite channel where they watched sports—down from 20% and 15% respectively who had a subscription in 2019.

A similar situation is observed on streaming services that show professional sports, with 8% of Americans and 7% of Canadians cancelling a subscription—down from 20% and 11% respectively who had one last year.

Fewer Americans are participating in sports pools (from 11% in 2019 to 7% in 2020) and placing wagers on sporting events (from 12% to 8%). The drops on these two indicators are not as pronounced in Canada, where fantasy league participation went from 9% to 7%, and placing wagers went from 6% to 5%.

More than half of Canadians (54%) consider themselves fans of the National Hockey League (NHL). Fewer than two-in-five Canadians are fans of the National Basketball Association (NBA) (37%), Major League Baseball (MLB) 33%, the Canadian Football League (CFL) (31%), the National Football League (NFL) (31%) and Major League Soccer (MLS) (21%).

In the United States, 59% of Americans say they are fans of the NFL, and 51% are fans of MLB. Fewer Americans consider themselves fans of the NBA (44%), the NHL (36%) and MLS (26%). 

A majority of Canadians think the NHL (59%) and the NBA (52%) did a “good job” in dealing with the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Fewer Canadians (37%) offer the same positive assessment to the CFL, the NFL, MLB and MLS.

In the United States, 51% of Americans say the NBA did a “good job” in facing the pandemic, followed by the NFL with 49%, MLB with 46%, the NHL with 44% and MLS with 37%.

Almost two thirds of respondents in each country (64% of in Canada and 64% in the United States) think professional athletes should speak their mind if they are concerned about social and political issues.

Photo Credit: Phillyfan0419

Methodology:

Results are based on online studies conducted from September 4 to September 6, 2020, among representative samples of 1,000 adults in Canada and 1,200 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian and U.S. census figures for age, gender and region in each country. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points for Canada and +/- 2.8 percentage points for the United States.

Find our Canadian tables here, our American tables here and download the press release here.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Biden Keeps National Lead Over Trump in United States Race

The Democratic nominee is regarded as the best person to handle health care, the environment and race relations.

Vancouver, BC [September 9, 2020] – Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden remains ahead of Republican Party incumbent Donald Trump in the United States presidential race, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of likely voters, 53% of decided voters (unchanged since a Research Co. poll conducted in August) will vote for Biden in the election, while 44% (+2) would cast a ballot for Trump.

Support remains low at the national level for Libertarian Party nominee Jo Jorgensen (1%), Green Party nominee Howie Hawkins (also 1%) and other candidates (also 1%).

Among decided voters, Trump gets his best numbers with men (55%) and Americans aged 35-to-54 (54%). Biden leads with women (63%), Americans aged 18-to-34 (57%) and Americans aged 55 and over (61%).

Among White decided voters, Trump is ahead of Biden (51% to 47%). Majorities of decided voters of African American descent (83%) and Hispanic and Latino origin (70%) would support the Democratic nominee.

“Just 7% of likely voters in the United States have not chosen a candidate to support on Election Day,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Only 4% of decided voters say they may change their mind and support another candidate in the election.”

When asked about their motivation for supporting each of the two major party nominees, almost half of Trump voters (46%) say the most important factor is the candidate’s ideas and policies, followed by his party (30%). 

More than a third of Biden voters (36%) say the candidate’s ideas and policies are paramount, followed by disgust with other candidates (18%) and a desire for change (also 18%).

When likely voters are asked which one of the two main candidates is better suited to handle specific issues, Biden remains well ahead on nine issues: health care (52%), the environment (51%), race relations (also 51%), education (50%), COVID-19 (48%), government accountability (47%), foreign policy (46%), managing the deficit (44%) and energy and oil (43%).

In August, the two contenders, were practically tied on five issues. This month, the Democratic nominee has gained points on three: immigration (Biden 46%, Trump 39%), crime (Biden 44%, Trump 35%) and national defense (Biden 44%, Trump 41%). The numbers are tighter on job creation (Biden 44%, Trump 41%) and the economy (Biden 45%, Trump 42%).

By a 2-to-1 margin, Americans continue to reject the notion of postponing the U.S. presidential election to a later date because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While 29% of likely voters support this course of action, 65% disagree with it.

Methodology:
Results are based on an online study conducted from September 4 to September 6, 2020, among 1,114 likely voters in the United States and 1,036 decided voters in the 2020 presidential election. The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 2.9 percentage points for likely voters and +/- 3.0 percentage points for decided voters, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and here and download the press release here. 

Photo Credit: AgnosticPreachersKid 

For more information on this poll, please contact:Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Americans Chide Federal Government’s Response to Pandemic

Men in the United States are more likely to believe that the worst is “behind us” than women.

Vancouver, BC [September 7, 2020] – More than half of Americans are disappointed with the federal administration’s response to COVID-19, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 39% of Americans say they are satisfied with how the federal government has dealt with the outbreak, up two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August.

A majority of Americans (56%, +3) say they are dissatisfied with the way the federal administration has handled the pandemic, including 64% of Democrats.

The assessment is different for two other levels of administration. More than half of Americans say they are satisfied with the way their local governments (56%, -5) and their state governments (also 56%, unchanged) have dealt with the outbreak.

Across the United States, nine-in-ten Americans (90%, +8) agree with requiring all customers or visitors entering an indoor premise to wear a mask or face covering while inside.

Two thirds of Americans (66%, +1) say they will “definitely” or “probably” take a vaccine against COVID-19 if one ultimately becomes available, while just over one-in-five (22%, -3) “probably” or “definitely” will not.

More than half of Americans (55%, +1) disapprove of Donald Trump’s performance as president—including 83% of Democrats, 81% of African Americans, 64% of women, 63% of Americans aged 55 and over.

Two months prior to Election Day, the approval rating for Trump stands at 42%. Satisfaction with how Trump is handling his duties is highest among Republicans (86%), Fox News watchers (65%) Americans aged 35-to-54 (53%), men (52%) and White Americans (48%).

Almost half of Americans (47%, +10 since August) think the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind, while 40% (+11) believe it still lies ahead.

“There is an enormous gender gap in the perceptions of Americans on the future of the pandemic,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “While 58% of men in the United States believe the situation will improve, only 37% of women share the same point of view.”

White Americans are also more likely to believe that the worst of COVID-19 has passed (51%) than Americans of Hispanic and Latino origin (35%) and African Americans (23%).

Methodology:

Results are based on an online study conducted from September 4 to September 6, 2020, among 1,200 American adults.  The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 2.8 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:
Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Americans Pick Four Presidents for “New Mount Rushmore”

Kennedy, Roosevelt, Reagan and Obama are the top vote-getters, with Eisenhower in fifth place.

Vancouver, BC [August 10, 2020] – When Americans are asked which presidents they would include in a new monument similar to Mount Rushmore, three Democrats and a Republican make the cut, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative national sample asked Americans to select four different presidents out of a list that included the 41 current and former heads of state that are not featured at Mount Rushmore.

Mount Rushmore, located in South Dakota, has depictions of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.

More than half of respondents to this survey (56%) used one of their four votes for John F. Kennedy, while two-in-five (41%) included Franklin D. Roosevelt on their list. Three-in-ten Americans voted for Ronald Reagan (30%) and Barack Obama (also 30%).

Six other presidents reached double digits: Dwight Eisenhower (21%), Ulysses Grant (16%), John Adams (14%), Harry Truman (13%) and Donald Trump (11%).

Among Americans who identify as Democrats, the biggest vote-getters are Kennedy (62%), Obama (53%) and Roosevelt (47%), followed by Eisenhower (18%), Adams (14%), Reagan (13%), Truman (12%), Grant (11%), Jimmy Carter (10%) and Bill Clinton (also 10%).

More than two-in-five Americans who identify as Republicans gave a vote to Kennedy (47%) and Reagan (42%), followed by Roosevelt (32%) and Eisenhower (25%).

Current president Donald Trump is in fifth place among GOP voters with 23%, followed by Grant (20%), Adams (15%), Truman (14%), Andrew Jackson (11%), George W. Bush (11%) and George H. W. Bush (10%).

A majority of Americans who identify as Independents chose Kennedy (57%), followed by Roosevelt (45%), Reagan (39%) Obama (26%), Eisenhower (21%), Grant (16%), Truman (15%), Adams (13%) and Jackson (12%).

Every American president on the list received at least one of the four votes from respondents. Americans aged 55 and over were more likely to vote for Reagan (40%) than those aged 35-to-54 (25%) and those aged 18-to-34 (16%).

Support for Obama was higher among Americans aged 35-to-54 (33%) and aged 18-to-34 (32%) than among those aged 55 and over (27%).

Methodology:

Results are based on an online study conducted on August 3 and August 4, 2020, among 1,200 American adults.  The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 2.8 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our datasets here and here and download the press release here.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

 

Most Americans Reject Delaying the 2020 Presidential Election

Among decided voters, Democratic candidate Joe Biden keeps a sizeable advantage over incumbent Donald Trump. 

Vancouver, BC [August 7, 2020] – Most likely voters in the United States reject the notion of delaying the presidential election that is scheduled for November, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample of likely voters, two thirds of respondents (68%) think the election should not be postponed to a later date because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Majorities of likely voters who identify as Democrats (75%), Independents (67%) and Republicans (59%) believe this year’s presidential ballot should go on as planned.

More than half of decided voters (53%) would support prospective Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the November election, while 42% would vote for Republican incumbent Donald Trump.

Support is decidedly lower for Libertarian nominee Jo Jorgensen (2%), Green nominee Howie Hawkins (1%) and other candidates (also 1%).

These results are largely unchanged at the national level since the July Research Co. survey that also placed Biden ahead by double-digits among decided voters.

The bulk of support for Biden comes from women (59%), decided voters aged 18-to-34 (54%) and African Americans (71%). The race is closer among men, where Biden is slightly ahead of Trump (47% to 45%). Among White voters, Trump is practically tied with Biden (48% to 47%).

More than nine-in-ten decided voters (92%) say they are certain that they will vote for their chosen candidate in the election. This includes 94% of those who intend to support Trump and 91% of those who plan to vote for Biden.

There are some sizeable differences when supporters of the two main contenders are asked about the factors for their choice.

About a third of decided voters who support Trump (34%) say their main motivator is the candidate’s ideas and policies, while fewer point to disgust with other candidates (23%) and Trump’s political party (22%).

Biden voters are primarily motivated by disgust with other candidates (30%), and to a lesser extent by the candidate’s ideas and policies (23%) and his political party (21%).

When asked which one of the two main candidates is better suited to handle specific issues, Biden holds the upper hand on the environment (50%), health care (49%), race relations (48%), education (47%), COVID-19 (46%), government accountability (45%), foreign policy (43%), energy and oil (41%) and managing the deficit (40%)

The two contenders are tied or virtually even on five issues: crime (Trump 39%, Biden 39%), the economy (Trump 43%, Biden 41%), job creation (Trump 42%, Biden 41%), immigration (Biden 42%, Trump 40%) and national defense (Trump 41%, Biden 41%).

“In our June survey, Trump was ahead of Biden on job creation, the economy and national defense,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Now the numbers on these issues have tightened considerably, while Biden has also gained ground on energy and oil.”

Methodology:

Results are based on an online study conducted on August 3 and August 4, 2020, among 1,018 likely voters in the United States and 946 decided voters in the 2020 presidential election. The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points for likely voters and +/- 3.2 percentage points for decided voters, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our datasets here and here and download the press release here.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

 

Most Americans Think Worst of COVID-19 Pandemic Lies Ahead

Sizeable majorities of Americans of all political stripes agree with requiring all customers to wear masks at indoor premises.

Vancouver, BC [August 5, 2020] – Americans remain worried about the COVID-19 pandemic, and fewer are satisfied with the way federal authorities have handled the situation, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 52% of Americans believe “the worst is ahead” when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic. This represents an 11-point increase since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June.

Americans aged 55 and over are more likely to expect the COVID-19 situation to worsen (58%) than those aged 35-to-54 (48%) and those aged 18-to-34 (47%).

“In June, 47% of Americans thought they had left the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic behind,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “This month, only 37% feel the same way.”

Across the United States, just over a third of Americans (37%) are satisfied with how the federal government has dealt with the COVID-19 outbreak, down nine points since June. Dissatisfaction has risen from 48% to 53%.

The level of satisfaction in how the COVID-19 pandemic has been handled continues to be higher when Americans rate their state governments (56%, -6) and their local governments (61%, -3).

More than four-in-five Americans (82%) agree with requiring all customers or visitors entering an indoor premise to wear a mask or face covering while inside. Support for this measure is high among Democrats (90%), Independents (83%) and Republicans (73%).

About two thirds of Americans (65%, -4) say they would take a vaccine against COVID-19 if one ultimately becomes available, while 25% (+5) say they would not.

Three-in-ten Republicans (31%) say they are not willing to get inoculated against COVID-19, along with 27% of Independents and 18% of Democrats.

The approval rating for U.S. President Donald Trump stands at 43% this month, up three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in July. Satisfaction with Trump’s performance is highest among men (47%), Americans aged 35-to-54 (also 47%), White Americans (46%), Fox News watchers (66%) and Republicans (83%)

A majority of Americans (54%, -2) disapprove of how Trump is handling his duties, including 59% of women, 57% of Americans aged 55 and over, 62% of African Americans and 83% of Democrats.

Methodology:

Results are based on an online study conducted on August 3 and August 4, 2020, among 1,200 American adults.  The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 2.8 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our datasets here and here and download the press release here.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

 

Americans and Canadians Shun Travel Without COVID-19 Vaccine

Railway journeys are more attractive, while few residents of the two countries would take a trip on a cruise ship.

Vancouver, BC [July 31, 2020] – Most Canadians and Americans are unwilling to become tourists again during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, majorities of residents of Canada and the United States say they would not travel in nine different ways before there is a vaccine against COVID-19.

“The appetite for travel before a COVID-19 vaccine is readily available is low in Canada and the United States,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “North American residents aged 55 and over, who are usually ready to explore and spend, are particularly reticent about all journeys unless inoculation is a reality.”

In Canada, more than a third of respondents (35%) are currently  willing to take a ferry trip—a proportion that rises to 50% in Atlantic Canada and 49% in British Columbia.

Fewer than a third of Canadians would take an airplane flight within their own province (32%), a bus trip shorter than 3 hours (31%), an airplane flight to another province (30%) or a railway trip (29%) without inoculation against COVID-19.

Significantly fewer Canadians are willing to take an airplane flight to a different continent (21%), a bus trip longer than 3 hours  (20%),  an airplane flight to the United States (17%) or a trip on a cruise ship (13%).

More than a third of Americans say they are willing to take a railway trip (36%), an airplane flight within their own state (35%), an airplane flight to another state (34%) or a ferry trip (also 34%) before a vaccine against COVID-19 is available.

Fewer Americans would entertain five other forms of travel under the current conditions: a bus trip shorter than 3 hours (31%), an airplane flight to Canada (28%), a bus trip longer than 3 hours (25%), an airplane flight to a different continent (21%) and a trip on a cruise ship (also 21%).

There is a sizeable gender gap when Americans are asked about travel, with men saying they are more likely to travel without a vaccine than their female counterparts.

Methodology:

Results are based on online studies conducted from July 1 to July 5, 2020, among representative samples of 1,000 adults in Canada and 1,200 adults in the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian and U.S. census figures for age, gender and region in each country. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points for Canada and +/- 2.8 percentage points for the United States.

Find our Canadian tables here, our American tables here and download the press release here.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

 

Biden Has Double-Digit Lead in American Presidential Race

Support for the prospective Democratic nominee has grown among women and voters aged 18-to-34.

Vancouver, BC [July 8, 2020] – Public backing for prospective Democratic Party presidential nominee Joe Biden increased this month in the United States, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 53% of American decided voters (+2 since a similar survey conducted in June) say they would vote for Biden in this year’s presidential election, while 43% (-3) would cast a ballot for Republican incumbent Donald Trump.

Biden holds a large advantage among female decided voters (57% to 41%), while the race is closer among male decided voters (49% for Biden, 47% for Trump).

The results of this survey are very different for the incumbent president from what the race looked like in July 2012. At the time, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney were tied at 47% in the popular vote, with Obama leading by 12-points among women and Romney holding the sae advantage among men.

This month, Trump is virtually tied with Biden among decided voters aged 55 and over (50% to 49%), while the prospective Democratic nominee is ahead among decided voters aged 18-to-34 (61% to 33%) and decided voters aged 35-to-54 (53% to 41%).

Just over half of White Americans (51%) say they would vote for Trump in this year’s election. The Republican incumbent has a significantly lower level of support among Hispanic and Latino Americans (28%) and African Americans (9%).

Trump’s approval rating stands at 40% this month, and at 46% among White Americans.

Respondents to this survey were also provided with a list of 18 words to describe Biden and asked to select up to six of them.

About three-in-ten Americans chose the words “intelligent” (32%), “compassionate” (also 32%), “down to earth” (30%), “out of touch” (28%), “weak” (also 28%) and “open” (27%).

In a similar survey conducted in July 2012, Democratic incumbent Barack Obama was regarded as “intelligent” by 50% of Americans, and as “open” by 21%.

The top words used by Independent voters to describe Biden are “weak” (34%) and “out of touch” (33%). In July 2012, only 22% of Independents described both Obama as “weak”, but 32% regarded him as “out of touch.” 

Methodology:
Results are based on an online study conducted on July 1 and July 2, 2020, among 1,200 American adults, including 1,049 likely voters and 965 decided voters in the 2020 presidential election. The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 2.8 percentage points for the entire sample, +/- 3.0 percentage points for likely voters and +/- 3.1 percentage points for decided voters, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our full data set here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:
Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Approval Rating for Trump Falls to 40% in the United States

More than half of Americans (57%) use the word “arrogant” to describe the incumbent president.

Vancouver, BC [July 6, 2020] – Fewer Americans are satisfied with the way Donald Trump is handling his duties, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 40% of Americans approve of Trump’s performance as president, down six points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June.

The disapproval rating for Trump stands at 56% this month, climbing to 59% among women and 63% among residents of the Northeast.

Only one-in-five African Americans (21%) approve of Trump’s performance. The numbers for the incumbent president are better among Hispanic and Latino respondents (32%) and White respondents (46%).

Trump’s rating dropped to 13% among Democrats (-6). While almost four-in-five Republicans (79%, -4) approve of the president’s performance, only 31% of Independents (-9) concur.

Respondents to this survey were also provided with a list of 18 words to describe Trump and asked to select up to six of them.

Almost three-in-five Americans (57%) chose the word “arrogant” to describe Trump. More than a third of respondents also picked “dishonest” (40%), “uncaring” (39%), “foolish” (also 39%), “strong” (36%) and “out of touch” (34%).

In a similar survey conducted in July 2012, Republican Party presidential candidate Mitt Romney was also regarded as “out of touch” by 34% of Americans, but had his highest score across the country on being “intelligent” (46%).

The top words chosen by Republican Party supporters to describe Trump are “strong” (63%), “intelligent” (55%), “efficient” (43%) and “honest” (40%).

Practically two thirds of Independent voters (65%) believe Trump is “arrogant”—along with 70% of Democrats and 38% of Republicans.

In July 2012, only 32% of Independents described both Romney and incumbent U.S. President Barack Obama as “arrogant.”

Methodology:
Results are based on an online study conducted on July 1 and July 2, 2020, among 1,200 American adults. The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 2.8 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our full data set here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:
Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Most Canadians and Americans Agree on Climate Change Fight

62% of Canadians and 51% of Americans personally believe global warming is a “major crisis.”

Vancouver, BC [June 26, 2020] – Most Canadians and Americans would consent to providing larger fiscal contributions to their governments in order to combat global warming, a new two-country Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative national samples, 60% of Canadians and 54% of Americans say they are willing to pay higher taxes in order to adequately deal with climate change.

More than three-in-five Canadians (64%) and a majority of Americans (53%) believe global warming is a fact and is mostly caused by emissions from vehicles and industrial facilities.

About one-in-four respondents in the two countries (23% in Canada and 25% in the United States) think climate change is a fact and is mostly caused by natural changes.

Only 7% of Canadians and 14% of Americans believe global warming is a theory that has not yet been proven—including 12% of Conservative Party voters in the 2019 Canadian federal election and 26% of Republican Party supporters in the United States.

About three-in-five Canadians (62%) and half of Americans (51%) describe global warming as a “major crisis”, including 70% of those aged 18-to-34 in Canada and 54% of those aged 55 and over in the United States.

When asked about specific actions that could be taken now to deal with climate change, most Canadians and Americans feel companies and corporations (75% and 59% respectively), governments (69% and 56%) and individuals and consumers (64% and 55%) should be doing more.

Residents of both countries are also supportive of actions to mitigate climate change in the future from companies and corporations (76% in Canada and 61% in the United States), governments (71% and 58%) and individuals and consumers (66% and 55%).

Parents of children under the age of 18 were asked about the effect of conversations about climate change with their kids. Two thirds of Canadian parents (67%) and more than half of American parents (54%) say they are recycling more after chatting with their children about climate change.

Smaller proportions of parents in Canada and the United States say they are driving less than usual (38% and 32% respectively) and taking shorter showers (34% and 31%) after chatting with their kids about global warming.

Methodology:

Results are based on online studies conducted from June 1 to June 3, 2020, among representative samples of 1,000 adults Canada and the United States. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian and U.S. census figures for age, gender and region in each country. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points for each country.

Find our full Canadian dataset here, our full American dataset here and download the press release here.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

 

Americans Prefer Biden Over Trump on Seven Policy Issues

A third of Americans consider Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris and Amy Klobuchar as “good choices” for Vice President.

Vancouver, BC [June 3, 2020] – Prospective Democratic Party nominee Joe Biden remains ahead of incumbent Donald Trump of the Republican Party with five months to go before the United States presidential election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 51% of decided voters in the United States (+1 since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in April) would support Biden, while 46% (+2) would vote for Trump. Libertarian Party nominee Jo Jorgensen garners the backing of 2% of decided voters.

In 2016, Trump received 46% of the popular vote, two points behind Hillary Clinton (48%). Trump secured 306 votes in the Electoral College to Clinton’s 232.

Trump currently holds an 11-point lead over Biden among White decided voters (54% to 43%). Sizeable proportions of African American (83%) and Hispanic / Latino decided voters (67%) are planning to vote for Biden.

“Compared to what we reported on in April, there is significant movement among Independent voters,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “At this stage of the campaign, 15% of these voters are undecided, and among those who choose a candidate, Biden is nearly tied with Trump (47% to 45%).”

Most viewers of CNN and MSNBC / CNBC would vote for Biden (74% and 78% respectively), while more than seven-in-ten Fox News watchers (72%) would cast a ballot for Trump.

Biden is regarded by a plurality of Americans as the presidential candidate best suited to deal with seven policy issues:

  • The environment (46%).
  • Health care (45%).
  • Race relations (44%).
  • Education (also 44%).
  • Foreign policy (42%).
  • Government accountability (40%).
  • COVID-19 (also 40%).

 

Trump is ahead on three issues:

 

 

  • Job creation (43%).
  • The economy (also 43%).
  • National defense (41%).

 

The two contenders are virtually tied on four other issues:

 

  • Crime (Biden 38%, Trump 37%).
  • Managing the deficit (both at 36%).
  • Energy and oil (Biden 38%, Trump 37%).
  • Immigration (Biden 40%, Trump 39%).

 

When Americans are asked about nine characteristics that people may find in politicians, Biden has a higher score than Trump on eight items:

 

  • Being able to unite America and not divide it (47% to 30%).
  • Being in touch with the problems ordinary Americans face in their daily lives (47% to 35%).
  • Generally agreeing with respondents on issues they care about (45% to 40%).
  • Being able to bring the kind of change America needs (45% to 42%).
  • Being able to deal with labour unions effectively in the event of a dispute (45% to 41%).
  • Sharing the values of respondents (44% to 34%).
  • Being a good speaker and communicator (42% to 33%).
  • Being honest and trustworthy (42% to 32%).

 

Trump holds the upper hand on only one trait:

 

  • Being a good economic manager (47%, with Biden at 39%).

 

Biden has said he intends to choose a woman as his running mate. Across the United States, 40% of respondents think Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren would be a “good choice” for Vice President, followed by California Senator Kamala Harris at 39%, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar at 35%, former Georgia Congresswoman Stacey Abrams at 29% and New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand at 26%.

More than three-in-five Democrats think Warren (64%) and Harris (62%) would be good choices for the party’s ticket in 2020, while almost half feel the same way about Klobuchar (48%) and Abrams (46%).

Methodology:

Results are based on an online study conducted on June 1 and June 2, 2020, among 1,000 American adults. The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our datasets here and here and download the press release here.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490

[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Federal Government’s Handling of COVID-19 Splits Americans

Just over half of Americans (51%) disapprove of Donald Trump’s performance as president, including 56% of Independents.

Vancouver, BC [June 3, 2020] – People in the United States are divided in their assessment of the federal government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 46% of Americans are satisfied with the way Washington has dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, while 48% are dissatisfied.

Americans who voted for Republican Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election are more likely to say they are satisfied with the federal government’s efforts (76%) than those who cast a ballot for Democrat Hillary Clinton (29%).

Majorities of Americans are satisfied with the way their state governments (62%) and their local governments (64%) have managed the pandemic.

The approval rating for Trump stands at 46% this month, up three points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in April. More than half of Americans (51%, -1) currently disapprove of the president, including 80% of Democrats and 56% of Independents.

Americans who usually watch Fox News are more likely to approve of the president’s performance (72%) than those who get information from a local network (41%), CNN (31%) and MSNBC / CNBC (28%) 

The disapproval rating for Trump is higher among African Americans (67%) and those with Hispanic or Latino ancestry (59%) than among White Americans (46%).

Almost seven-in-ten Americans (69%) say they would take a vaccine against COVID-19 if it ultimately becomes available. Men are more likely to say they would get themselves vaccinated (77%) than women (62%).

“Views on the possibility of inoculation against COVID-19 vary across the political spectrum in the United States,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “While 77% of Democrats would take the vaccine, the proportion drops to 65% among Republicans and 62% among Independents.”

Almost half of Americans (47%) believe the worst is “behind us” when it comes to the COVID-19 outbreak, while 41% think the worst is “ahead of us.”

More than a third of Americans consider that the United States has been better in dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak than Brazil (35%), Mexico (33%) and Italy (31%).

Fewer respondents believe the U.S. has done a better job handling the pandemic than France (26%), Spain (also 26%), South Korea (24%), the United Kingdom (also 24%), Germany (23%), Canada (22%) and Japan (also 22%).

Photo Credit: Daniel Case

Methodology:

Results are based on an online study conducted on June 1 and June 2, 2020, among 1,000 American adults. The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our datasets here and here and download the press release here.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

 

Young Voters Give Biden National Lead in U.S. Presidential Race

The presumptive Democratic nominee is ahead of the incumbent president by double digits in the West and Midwest.

Vancouver, BC [April 8, 2020] – Joe Biden holds the upper hand over Donald Trump in the United States presidential race, a new Research Co. poll has found.  

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 50% of decided voters would cast a ballot for the presumptive Democratic nominee, while 44% would support the Republican incumbent and 6% would back another candidate.  

In 2016, Trump garnered 46% of the popular vote, two points behind Hillary Clinton (48%). Trump secured 306 votes in the Electoral College to Clinton’s 232.  

“In April 2012, Barack Obama was seeking re-election and held a six-point lead over his presumptive challenger, Mitt Romney, on the popular vote” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “At the same point in 2020, it is the incumbent president who is six points behind.”  

One-in-ten American voters (10%) are currently undecided—a proportion that grows to 14% among those aged 18-to-34.   At this stage in the race, there is no sizeable gender gap among decided voters: Biden holds similar leads among men (49% to 44%) and women (51% to 44%).  

A majority of American decided voters aged 18-to-34 (58%) support Biden, while only 36% would cast a ballot for Trump. Biden has a seven-point lead over Trump among decided voters aged 35-to-54 (50% to 43%), but trails Trump by three points among decided voters aged 55 and over (50% for Trump, 47% for Biden).  

Biden is ahead of Trump in the West (53% to 42%) and Midwest (53% to 41%). The race is closer in the Northeast (50% for Biden, 46% for Trump) and in the South (48% for Trump, 45% for Biden).  

Trump is supported by 95% of decided voters who describe themselves as Republicans. Biden’s rate is lower among Democratic decided voters (83%). A majority of Independent decided voters (52%) prefer Biden, with Trump at 39% and 9% backing another candidate.  

More than three-in-five African American (74%) and Hispanic / Latino decided voters (64%) support Biden. Trump holds a nine-point lead among White decided voters (52% to 43%).  

Trump is holding on to 94% of decided voters who supported him in the 2016 election, while Biden garners the backing of 84% of those who supported Hillary Clinton.  

Decided voters who get their news from CNN and MSNBC / CNBC support Biden (74% each), while seven-in-ten decided voters who watch Fox News (70%) would cast a ballot for Trump.

Methodology:

Results are based on an online study conducted on April 3, 2020, among 1,000 American adults. The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.
 
Find our full dataset here and download the press release here.
 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Half of Americans Fear Foreign Interference in 2020 Election

The approval rating for Donald Trump fell slightly since February (43%), but remains high among Republican voters.

Vancouver, BC [April 6, 2020] – The prospect of foreign meddling in this year’s United States presidential ballot is causing distress for a sizeable proportion of Americans, a new Research Co. poll has found.  

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 50% of Americans say they have “not much confidence” or “no confidence at all” that foreign countries will not interfere in the election.  

“The possibility of foreign entities intruding in the democratic process is a bigger concern among Democrats (64%) and Independents (56%) in the United States,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Conversely, only 23% of Republicans share the same level of wariness.”  

Two-in-five Americans (40%) express little confidence that the systems that are currently in place to cast their ballot (such as electronic voting machines) will not be tampered with.  

More than a third of Americans are not particularly confident that their vote will be accurately counted (35%) and that the systems that are currently in place to cast their ballot (such as electronic voting machines) will work properly (34%).  

While a third of White Americans (33%) express “not much confidence” or “no confidence at all” in their vote being accurately tallied (33%), the proportion rises to 42% among Hispanic and Latino voters and 44% among African Americans.  

Americans who usually watch television news on MSNBC and CNBC are more likely to express little or no confidence in electronic voting machines working properly (45%) than those who watch Fox News (30%) or CNN (29%).  

With seven months to go before the next presidential election, 43% of Americans approve of Donald Trump’s performance, down two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted after his State of the Union address in February.  

Trump’s approval rating is higher among men (49%) and Americans aged 55 and over (46%), and lower among women (38%) and Americans aged 18-to-34 (35%).  

The incumbent president holds healthier numbers among Republican voters (85%) and Americans who cast a ballot for him in 2016 (86%). Trump’s disapproval rating is highest among Democrats (80%) and those who voted for Hillary Clinton in the last presidential election (87%).  

White Americans are almost evenly split in their assessment of Trump (47% approve, 49% disapprove). Majorities of African Americans (71%) and Hispanics (64%) are dissatisfied with the president’s performance.  

Two thirds of Americans who usually watch Fox News (67%) approve of the way Trump has handled his job. Fewer than three-in-ten viewers of CNN (28%) and MSNBC/CNBC (25%) concur.

Methodology:

Results are based on an online study conducted on April 3, 2020, among 1,000 American adults. The data has been statistically weighted according to U.S. census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our datasets here and here and download the press release here.

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca