Additional topics surveyed include changing the Electoral College
TAMPA, Fla. (Jan. 20, 2022) – Researchers at the University of South Florida, in collaboration with researchers at Florida International University, have released a second round of results from a nationwide survey. This set is aimed at measuring public opinion about several proposed electoral/voting reforms, as well as attitudes about the Electoral College.
Among the key findings:
Americans are divided on the security of voting by mail. Half of the respondents (50%) said that voting by mail is less secure than in-person voting, while 44% said that it’s about the same.
Sharp partisan divisions on the fairness of American elections. Respondents were divided on the fairness of America’s national elections: 54% were “very” or “somewhat confident” that “America’s national elections are conducted fairly”, though 46% said that they were “not very confident” or “not at all confident”. Partisan differences were pronounced, with 85% of Democrats being “very” or “somewhat confident”, compared to only 27% of Republicans and 52% of Independents.
A majority of Americans support key provisions of the “Freedom to Vote Act”. Nearly three-quarters say that they would either “strongly” or “somewhat support” a requirement for states to hold early voting for at least two weeks prior to election day (74%). A similar percent (74%) support making election day a federal holiday. Additional results include:
• Requiring states to allow same-day voter registration (64%)
• Requiring states to allow voting by mail (63%)
• Requiring states to allow online voter registration (62%)
• Requiring states to automatically register citizens to vote based on their official state documents –
such as a driver’s license (60%)
While there is widespread support for election reforms, most Americans say that a valid photo ID should be required when voting. A larger majority of respondents (83%) say that voters should be required to show a valid photo ID when voting. Two-thirds of Americans say that it’s not difficult to register to vote under the current system (67%). Only 16% say that it is, while 16% are unsure.
A small majority of Americans would favor a change to a national popular vote when electing the president, but they are divided on the electoral implications of such a switch. A slim majority of 52% say that they would favor a change to the national popular vote (over the current Electoral College system). A majority (69%) feel that this would significantly change the outcome of Americans elections.
Overall opinions about the current Electoral College system are split:
• 40% say that the Electoral College ensures the representation of diverse interests
• 43% say that the Electoral College forces candidates to run “national” campaigns
• 49% say that the Electoral College protects the interests of small states
• 17% say that the Electoral College unfairly favors Democratic candidates
• 20% say that the Electoral College unfairly favors Republican candidates
The survey included a representative sample of 1,000 eligible voters, fielded Jan. 6-10, 2022. Results are reported with a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error +/-3 %.
The complete survey results can be found here.
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About the University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success, generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report’s national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state’s 12 public universities. USF has earned widespread national recognition for its success graduating under-represented minority and limited-income students at rates equal to or higher than white and higher income students. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.