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Survey
Key findings from a statewide survey of 500 registered
voters, including 200 cell phone interviews conducted
December 11-13, 2016.
Project #161302
Methodology
Public Opinion Strategies is pleased to present the key findings of a telephone survey
conducted in Virginia. The survey was completed December 11-13, 2016, among 500
registered voters, including 200 cell phone respondents, and has a margin of error of
+4.38%.
Glen Bolger was the principal researcher. Kyle Clark was the project director, and Ryan
Garikes provided analytical support.
Political
Environment
-3%
+4%
+52%
+56%
Refused
3%
74%
74%
Wrong Track
34%
45% 45%
43% 46%
47%
43%
22%
Right
Direction
58%
Base GOP
(19%)
Soft/Lean
GOP
(20%)
Inds
(15%)
Right Direction
Soft/Lean
Dem
(21%)
18%
Base Dem
(24%)
Wrong Track
Don't Know
3%
Refused
2%
Strongly
Approve
29%
Strongly
Disapprove
42%
Somewhat
Disapprove
8%
*Denotes Rounding
45%
50%
Somewhat
Approve
16%
88%
81%
72%
66%
66%
64%
63%
62%
57%
48%
47%
43%
41%
41%
40%
40%
39%
38%
36%
36%
36%
Ballot Tests
If the election were being held today, for whom would you
vote if the candidates wereEd Gillespie, Republican,
...and...Ralph Northam, Democrat?
If the election were being held today, for whom would you
vote if the candidates were Frank Wagner,
Republican,...and...Ralph Northam, Democrat?
Refused
2%*
Undecided
17%
Refused
1%
Undecided
19%
Gillespie
38%
Wagner
37%
Northam
43%
Northam
43%
*Denotes Rounding
+3%
40%
+12%
52%
48%
37%
36%
+19%
50%
31%
29%
-2%
47%
46%
34%
DC
(37%)
32%
34%
Roanoke
(14%)
-21%
+8%
52%
39%
Richmond
(19%)
GOP Dem
31%
Norfolk
(21%)
+9%
46%
37%
Other
(10%)
Overall
By DMA
-13%
Refused
1%
Undecided
22%
-6%
+13%
-28%
Stewart
35%
52%
33%
48%
47%
46%
35%
34%
29%
24%
DC
(37%)
Northam
42%
+20%
Roanoke
(14%)
Richmond
(19%)
GOP
Norfolk
(21%)
28%
Other
(10%)
Dem
Clean Energy
Not Too
Important
6%
Not At All
Important
1%
Somewhat
Important
39%
92%
7%
+84%
Refused
1%*
95%
92%
+84%
+73%
+92%
96%
92%
86%
Very
Important
53%
8%
Base GOP
(19%)
*Denotes Rounding
+90%
5%
Soft GOP
(20%)
Total Important
8%
Ind
(15%)
13%
4%
Soft Dem
(21%)
Base Dem
(24%)
11
70%
66%
47%
44%
36%
30%
25%
16%
16%
19%
19%
10%
Coal
Natural Gas
Wind
More Emphasis
Less Emphasis
Solar Power
Nuclear Power
Same
12
57%
50%
43%
19%
32%
29%
32%
40%
25%
26%
21% 22%
32%
3%
59%
51%
48%
17%
32%
25%
29%
23%
41%
20%
28%
36%
22%
6%
Coal
Natural Gas
Wind
More Emphasis
Less Emphasis
Solar Power
Nuclear Power
Same
13
56%
42%
61%
51%
36%
36%
20%
20%
38%
28%
14%
8%
27%
24%
34%
63%
61%
43%
32%
47%
44%
33%
16% 20%
24%
23%
31%
23% 28%
4%
Coal
Natural Gas
Wind
More Emphasis
Less Emphasis
Solar Power
Nuclear Power
Same
14
28%
70%
Candidate B says that Virginia should focus on an all-ofthe-above energy strategy that includes clean energy
sources such as wind and solar power in addition to coal
and natural gas. Candidate B says that by lowering our
dependence on fossil fuels, we can help keep the air and
water cleaner, and growing the clean energy industry in
Virginia will create thousands of jobs and help grow our
economy as it has in other states like North Carolina.
15
I am going to read you a statement. After I read it, please tell me whether you agree or disagree with that statement.
Virginia should pursue an all-of-the-above energy strategy, which means lowering our heavy dependence on fossil fuels over time and
allowing an increase in electricity generation from emerging technologies like renewable energy as well as more energy efficiency, and I
support taking action to accelerate the development and use of clean energy in Virginia.
Total Agree:
Total Disagree:
By Party
82%
17%
+35%
+33%
+68%
+94%
97%
Strongly
Disagree
9%
Somewhat
Disagree
8%
Refused
1%
+85%
92%
84%
Strongly
Agree
48%
66%
66%
31%
33%
16%
3%
Somewhat
Agree
34%
Base GOP
(19%)
Soft GOP
(20%)
Total Agree
Ind
(15%)
Soft Dem
(21%)
7%
Base Dem
(24%)
Total Disagree
16
+58%
+81%
+81%
90%
90%
79%
58%
40%
21%
9%
Very Conservative
(19%)
Somewhat Conservative
(18%)
Total Agree
Moderate
(36%)
9%
Total Liberal
(25%)
Total Disagree
17
58%
92%
3% 7%*
50%
Enable community solar projects that provide customers more choices
about how to purchase solar energy.
Very Important
8%
83%*
16%*
49%
4%
Total Important
88%*
11%
Not At All Important
*Denotes Rounding
18
No
Difference
4%
Somewhat
Less Likely
11%
16%
Don't Know
2%
Much More
Likely
40%
White Dems
Dem Men
Base Dem
Total Liberal
White Soft Dems
Total Dem
Total Unfav Tea Party
Soft/Lean Dem
Dem Women
Minority Women
African American
Hampton Roads Region
Total Minority
Norfolk DMA
Women 18-44
Women
70%
69%
66%
65%
64%
63%
61%
60%
59%
53%
50%
49%
47%
46%
45%
45%
Somewhat
More Likely
38%
19
+19%
+66%
+97%
98%
+90%
94%
77%
59%
55%
36%
30%
11%
1%
Base GOP
(19%)
Soft/Lean GOP
(20%)
Independent
(15%)
Soft/Lean Democrat
(21%)
4%
Base Democrat
(24%)
20
Don't Know
1%
Refused
1%
Satisfied
36%
Prefer
Additional
Options
62%
21
+5%
+26%
+40%
+47%
72%
69%
63%
52%
47%
50%
48%
37%
29%
25%
Base GOP
(19%)
Soft/Lean GOP
(20%)
Independent
(15%)
Soft/Lean Democrat
(21%)
Base Democrat
(24%)
Satisfied
22
77%
21%
23
68%
26%
24
+41%
+60%
+56%
77%
+43%
77%
68%
66%
54%
40%
25%
21%
17%
Base GOP
(19%)
Soft GOP
(20%)
Ind
(15%)
Fair
Soft Dem
(21%)
25%
Base Dem
(24%)
Unfair
25
And, would you be more likely or less likely to support increasing clean energy efforts in Virginia if you learned that our
neighboring economic competitor states like North Carolina rank better for business than Virginia and have done much
more to grow and develop a thriving clean energy industry, or would it make no difference to you?
Total More Likely:
Total Less Likely:
Don't Know
1%
No
Difference
41%
56%
3%*
By Party
+29%
+43%
+49%
Much More
Likely
32%
+69%
72%
+70%
72%
49%
46%
34%
Much Less
Likely
1%
Somewhat
Less Likely
1%
*Denotes Rounding
Somewhat
More Likely
24%
5%
3%
Base GOP
(19%)
Soft GOP
(20%)
0%
Ind
(15%)
3%
2%
Soft Dem
(21%)
Base Dem
(24%)
26
Virginia should give businesses and consumers more choices about how
to transition away from burning fossil fuels so that they might help
conserve Gods creation.
Strongly Agree
Total Agree
66%
3%
88%*
11%*
64%
90%
3% 9%*
57%
6%
86%
13%
56%
5%
86%
14%*
48%
9%
81%
18%
Strongly Disagree
Total Disagree
*Denotes Rounding
27
The Bottom
Line
We tested three policies that would expand Virginias commitment to clean energy, and all three are seen as important
energy efficiency upgrades, community solar projects, and net metering.
While more important to Democrats, voters across party lines are more likely to support a candidate who backs clean energy
development.
A majority support additional options for getting electricity. Republicans are more divided on it, while Independents and
Democrats are more supportive.
Net metering is perceived to be fair.
All of the messages we tested about accelerating the growth of clean energy resonate very strongly.
Candidates in Virginia who are running statewide or in swing seats who are looking to win over soft Republicans,
Independents, and soft Democrats should use clean energy issues as a way to reach those swing voters. Clean energy is a
good issue set that can help turn a close race into a winning campaign.
29
Glen Bolger
Glen@pos.org
For more information about this presentation or about
Public Opinion Strategies, please give us a call.