Politics

Voters Are Less Skeptical About Elections

Following last November's midterm elections, voters are more confident in the fairness of U.S. elections than they have been in over two years, but they're still highly skeptical of their representatives in Congress.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of Likely U.S. Voters now think elections are generally fair to voters, up from 39% in July and the highest level of confidence since October 2012.  Forty percent (40%), however, say elections are not fair. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 15-16, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Have a State of the Union Message: No New Spending

Voters have a message of their own for President Obama’s State of the Union address tonight: Don’t spend any more money. But fewer than ever plan to follow the speech.

Just 17% of Likely U.S. Voters think the president should focus on new spending programs in his latest State of the Union speech. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% believe the president should focus instead on programs that can be accomplished within current spending levels. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 17-18, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Strongly Suspect Released Gitmo Prisoners Will Attack U.S.

President Obama in an effort to close the terrorist prison camp at the Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba recently has begun stepping up the release of inmates there to their native countries. Most voters still oppose closing the Guantanamo prison and worry that the suspected terrorists who are released will attack the United States and its allies again.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 29% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the Guantanamo prison camp should be closed. While that’s up slightly from last May and up from  23% in April 2013, support for the prison’s closure is still down from a high of 44% in January 2009 when President Obama first announced his plans to do so. Fifty-three percent (53%) remain opposed to closing Gitmo. Nineteen percent (19%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 15-16, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

60% Think U.S. Society is Fair and Decent

The new year has voters feeling more positive about American society that they have in quite a while.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely U.S. Voters think American society is generally fair and decent. This finding is up six points from October’s seven-year low and is the highest finding since April 2013. Prior to 2013, belief that American society was fair and decent ran regularly in the low-to-mid 60s. Twenty-eight percent (28%) say American society is generally unfair and discriminatory, a near two-year low. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national telephone survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on January 13-14, 2015. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Most Voters Still Wary of How Government Does Business

Voters are more convinced than ever that the government gives special treatment to companies with the most political connections, but they save some skepticism for the private sector as well. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of Likely U.S. Voters believe most government contracts are awarded to the company with the most political connections rather than one that can provide the best service for the best price. That’s up from 63% a year ago and 66% in 2012. Just 18% disagree and think most government contracts go to the company that can provide the best service for the best price, down from 25% last year. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 13-14, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Feds Still Have Few Friends

Most voters don't like the federal government and think it should downsize. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 35% of Likely U.S. Voters have a favorable opinion of the federal government, while 62% view it unfavorably. This includes five percent (5%) with a Very Favorable opinion and 25% with a Very Unfavorable one. That's consistent with past surveys. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 11-12, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Do Most Muslims See America As An Enemy?

Is there really a “clash of civilizations”? The jury is still out as far as most American voters are concerned.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 39% of Likely U.S. Voters believe most Muslims worldwide view the United States as an enemy. That’s down slightly from 41% last July and a high of 49% in August 2013. Nearly as many (37%) think most Muslims around the world do not view the United States as an enemy. A sizable 24%, however, are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 11-12, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Agree The Rich Get Richer

As the old saying goes, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

Fifty-six percent (56%) of Likely U.S. Voters agree, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty percent (40%) disagree and believe most Americans benefit as economic conditions improve. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 13-14, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Repeat: Cut Spending to Help Economy

Voters still want the government to do more to help the economy, and what they want it to do is cut spending.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters now worry the federal government will do too much to try to help the economy, up five points from December and the highest level of concern since September 2013. But 50% worry the government won’t do enough, generally in line with surveys over the past year-and-a-half. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 9-10, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Are Even Less Supportive of Obama Acting Alone

Most voters continue to believe the federal government should only do what President Obama and Congress agree on. They also still think a president should not be able to change laws passed by Congress on his own, even as congressional Republicans plan to challenge Obama's decision not to enforce the deportation of up to five million illegal immigrants. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that when it comes to dealing with issues the president considers important to the nation, the government should only do what he and Congress agree on. Thirty-one percent (31%) think Obama should take action alone if Congress does not approve the initiatives he has proposed. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 7-8, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Think Islam Needs To Clean Up Its Act

Most U.S. voters agree Islam needs to put the emphasis on peace.

The Muslim president of Egypt is calling for a revolution in his religion, saying that some of its beliefs have made it “a source of worry, fear, danger, murder and destruction to all the world.” Seventy-five percent (75%) of Likely U.S. Voters agree that Islamic religious leaders need to do more to emphasize the peaceful beliefs of their faith, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just seven percent (7%) disagree, while 17% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 11-12, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Defend Media’s Right to Say What They Want

Americans have mixed feelings about how media organizations treat religion in this country, but they strongly defend their right to say what they want to.

Just 44% of American Adults think the media in this country are generally respectful of organized religion and those who practice it. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that nearly as many (36%) say the media is not respectful of religions and people of faith. Twenty percent (20%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on January 8-9, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Think Charlie-like Attack Likely Here

Americans are hesitant to link the terrorist massacre in Paris this past week to the true beliefs of Islam, but many worry a similar attack on those critical of the religion in the United States could happen in the near future.

Sixty-five percent (65%) of American Adults believe it is at least somewhat likely an attack on those critical of Islam will happen in this country in the next year. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 26% think an attack similar to the one against the satirical Parisian publication Charlie Hebdo which mocked radical Islamicists is unlikely to happen here. This includes 29% who say such an attack is Very Likely and just five percent (5%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on January 8-9, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Want Congress To Tackle Taxes, Spending First

Taxes, spending, Obamacare and immigration top Congress’ to-do list as far as voters are concerned, but they also fully expect partisan politics to get in the way.

President Obama and Republicans in Congress oppose each other on most major issues facing the nation, and the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 14% of Likely U.S. Voters think this opposition is due mostly to honest differences of opinion. Seventy-seven percent (77%) believe instead that the opposition is mostly due to partisan politics, up from 69% last July when we first asked this question. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 7-8, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Support For Women in Combat Reaches New High

More voters than ever think women are good for the U.S. military and believe even more strongly that they should be allowed to fight on the front lines.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the growing role of women in the services is good for the military, up from 49% in October and the first time support has risen above 50% in regular tracking since December 2013. Just 12% now think women’s growing role is bad for the military, down from 15%. One-in-three (30%) say it has no impact. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 5-6, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters to Mexico: Stop Illegal Immigrants or Lose U.S. Aid

Most U.S. voters think the Mexican government doesn’t do enough to stop illegal immigration and drug trafficking and favor stopping foreign aid to our southern neighbor until it does more to prevent illegal border crossings.

Just 14% of Likely U.S. Voters think the Mexican government wants to stop its citizens from illegally entering the United States, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty-five percent (55%) say Mexico is not interested in stopping illegal immigration. But 31% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national survey of 800 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on January 5-6, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Most Still Expect Government to Spend More Under Obama

Voters still expect government spending to go up during President Obama's last two years in office but think taxes are likely to remain about the same.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of Likely U.S. Voters think government spending will rise under the Obama administration, consistent with surveys throughout the Obama years. Just 12% expect spending cuts. One-in-four (25%) think the level of government spending will stay about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here).

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 2, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Obama or Congress: Who Should Be in Charge?

Bottleneck ahead? Voters are evenly divided when asked whether President Obama or the new Republican-led Congress should take the lead on issues important to the nation.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters think it would be better for the country if the president does more of what Congress wants. Just as many (43%) say it would be better if Congress does more of what the president wants. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national survey of 800 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on January 2, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Support Fades for Abortion Waiting Period

Most voters remain pro-choice when it comes to abortion, and fewer now think there should be a waiting period before allowing the procedure. But voters also don't attach as much importance to the abortion issue when they go to the polls.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters consider themselves pro-choice, while 36% say they are pro-life. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 2, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Still Want Death Penalty for Boston Marathon Bomber

Jury selection begins today for the trial of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev nearly two years after his arrest for the bombing of the Boston Marathon in 2013, and most voters agree that trials shouldn’t take place this long after a crime is committed. Despite the time lag, voters are still looking for the same outcome if the surviving suspect in the bombings is found guilty.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% think, generally speaking, trials should be held closer to the time the alleged crime took place. Just nine percent (9%) disagree, but 16% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national survey of 800 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on January 3-4, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.