Download Word format - Quinnipiac University Poll

Peter Brown, Assistant Director,
Quinnipiac University Polling Institute
(203) 535-6203
Rubenstein Associates, Inc.
Public Relations
Contact: Pat Smith (212) 843-8026
FOR RELEASE: DECEMBER 5, 2012
AMERICAN VOTERS BACK LEGALIZED MARIJUANA,
QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY NATIONAL POLL FINDS;
VOTERS SPLIT ON GAY MARRIAGE, BUT CATHOLICS BACK IT
American voters favor the legalization of marijuana, 51 – 44 percent, with a substantial gender
and age gap, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Voters today are divided 48 – 46 percent on the issue of same-sex marriage, reversing the
55 – 36 percent opposition to same-sex marriage in a July, 2008, survey by the independent
Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University. White Catholics support it 49 – 43 percent.
Climate change did not cause Superstorm Sandy, voters say 53 – 37 percent.
On another issue, voters say 47 - 41 percent that David Petraeus was right to resign as
director of the Central Intelligence Agency after admitting to an extramarital affair.
On the controversy over the killing of the U.S/ ambassador to Libya, 47 percent of voters
believe the Obama administration shared the facts with the American people as they became
available while 41 percent think the administration deliberately misled the public.
“With the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes legal in about 20 states, and
Washington and Colorado voting this November to legalize the drug for recreational use,
American voters seem to have a more favorable opinion about this once-dreaded drug," said
Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. “There are
large differences on this question among the American people.
“Men support legalization 59 – 36 percent, but women are opposed 52 – 44 percent. The
racial split evident throughout American politics on many matters is barely noticeable on this
question with 50 percent of white voters and 57 percent of black voters backing legalization.”
Click here for a downloadable video of Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac
University Polling Institute, discussing legalizing marijuana, same-sex marriage and other
issues.
-more-
Quinnipiac University Poll/December 5, 2012 – page 2
“Not surprisingly, voters 18 to 29 years old support legalization 67 – 29 percent while
voters over age 65 are opposed 56 – 35 percent,” Brown added. “Voters 30 to 44 years old like
the idea 58 – 39 percent, while voters 45 to 64 years old are divided 48 – 47 percent.”
“This is the first time Quinnipiac University asked this question in its national poll so
there is no comparison from earlier years. It seems likely, however, that given the better than 2-1
majority among younger voters, legalization is just a matter of time.”
On same-sex marriage, the biggest change over the past four years has been among men.
In 2008, they oppose gay marriage 61 – 31 percent. Now they oppose it 50 – 43 percent, a 23point shift over the past four years. Women, who had opposed it 51 – 40 percent in 2008, now
back it 52 – 42 percent, a shift of 21 points. White Protestants are opposed 63 – 32 percent.
“It seems pretty clear that attitudes toward same-sex marriage in American society are
changing rapidly. While the country remains split on the issue, supporters have come pretty far
in the last four years," said Brown. “Since voters 18 to 29 years old support same-sex marriage
63 – 35 percent, once again we see it’s just a matter of time.”
On whether climate change caused Superstorm Sandy, there are also wide splits in the
country. Only 14 percent of Republicans, but 37 percent of independent voters and 55 percent of
Democrats think climate change caused the storm. Men say no 57 – 35 percent, while women
say no 49 – 39 percent.
American voters support 70 – 26 percent Obama’s “Dream” policy to allow young
immigrants to stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation. Illegal immigrants should be allowed
to stay and apply for citizenship, 57 percent of voters say, while 11 percent say they should be
allowed to stay with no path to citizenship and 26 percent say they should be deported.
From November 28 – December 3, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,949 registered
voters nationwide, with a margin of error of +/- 2.2 percentage points. Live interviewers call
land lines and cell phones.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia
and the nation as a public service and for research.
For more information or RSS feed– http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call
(203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter.
2
26. Which comes closest to your view about illegal immigrants who are currently living in
the United States?
A) They should be allowed to stay in the United States and to eventually apply for US
citizenship.
B) They should be allowed to remain in the United States, but not be allowed to apply for
U.S. citizenship.
C) They should be required to leave the U.S.
A)Stay/Citizenship
B)Stay/Not citizen
C)Not stay
DK/NA
Tot
Rep
Dem
Ind
Men
Wom
Wht
Blk
Hsp
57%
11
26
5
41%
12
40
7
74%
9
14
3
53%
12
30
5
51%
13
31
5
63%
9
23
5
53%
11
31
5
74%
11
11
4
69%
10
15
6
WHITE..............................................
COLLEGE DEG
BornAgnEv
Yes
No
Prot
Cath
Men
Wom
Yes
No
A)Stay/Citizenship
B)Stay/Not citizen
C)Not stay
DK/NA
A)Stay/Citizenship
B)Stay/Not citizen
C)Not stay
DK/NA
59%
14
21
6
49%
9
36
5
49%
9
37
5
49%
14
32
5
46%
14
35
6
59%
8
28
5
45%
11
39
5
53%
11
32
4
COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No
ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INC AGE IN YRS..............
<50K
50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+
63%
14
18
5
60%
9
26
5
55%
10
30
5
54%
13
29
4
58%
14
23
5
71%
11
16
3
54%
12
27
7
57%
11
28
4
53%
11
30
6
27. As you may know, the Obama administration has announced a new policy in which young
illegal immigrants who came to the country as children will be able to obtain work permits
and will not face deportation. Do you support or oppose this new policy?
Support
Oppose
DK/NA
Tot
Rep
Dem
Ind
Men
Wom
Wht
Blk
Hsp
70%
26
4
52%
43
5
87%
11
2
67%
28
5
68%
29
3
73%
23
5
65%
31
4
86%
12
2
81%
13
6
WHITE..............................................
COLLEGE DEG
BornAgnEv
Yes
No
Prot
Cath
Men
Wom
Yes
No
Support
Oppose
DK/NA
Support
Oppose
DK/NA
74%
23
3
61%
34
4
59%
36
5
65%
32
3
62%
34
4
68%
28
4
53%
43
5
67%
29
4
COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No
ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INC AGE IN YRS..............
<50K
50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+
76%
21
3
71%
25
4
68%
28
4
70%
27
3
71%
26
3
79%
17
5
74%
24
2
69%
28
4
63%
31
6
3
TREND: As you may know, the Obama administration has announced a new policy in which young
illegal immigrants who came to the country as children will be able to obtain work permits
and will not face deportation. Do you support or oppose this new policy?
Support
Oppose
DK/NA
Dec 05
2012
Jul 12
2012
70
26
4
55
39
6
28. How concerned are you about global warming or climate change; very concerned, somewhat
concerned, not too concerned, or not concerned at all?
Very concerned
Smwht concerned
Not too concerned
Not concerned
DK/NA
Tot
Rep
Dem
Ind
Men
Wom
Wht
Blk
Hsp
36%
30
15
19
1
10%
28
23
37
1
57%
32
6
4
1
33%
31
18
17
-
33%
28
16
24
-
38%
32
14
14
1
31%
30
17
22
1
49%
35
6
8
2
48%
26
13
13
-
WHITE..............................................
COLLEGE DEG
BornAgnEv
Yes
No
Prot
Cath
Men
Wom
Yes
No
Very concerned
Smwht concerned
Not too concerned
Not concerned
DK/NA
Very concerned
Smwht concerned
Not too concerned
Not concerned
DK/NA
40%
24
16
19
-
26%
33
17
23
1
21%
32
20
26
1
30%
30
20
20
-
27%
29
17
27
-
34%
31
17
17
1
16%
28
24
31
1
31%
32
17
20
1
COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No
ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INC AGE IN YRS..............
<50K
50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+
43%
26
14
17
-
39%
32
13
16
1
33%
32
15
19
1
32%
33
17
18
-
33%
28
15
24
-
36%
30
14
20
-
35%
30
15
19
-
37%
31
15
17
-
35%
28
15
19
2
TREND: How concerned are you about global warming or climate change; very concerned,
somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not concerned at all?
Very concerned
Smwht concerned
Not too concerned
Not concerned
DK/NA
Dec 05
2012
Dec 23
2009
36
30
15
19
1
29
30
17
23
1
4
29. Do you think Hurricane Sandy was the result of climate change or don't you think so?
Climate change
Don't think so
DK/NA
Tot
Rep
Dem
Ind
Men
Wom
Wht
Blk
Hsp
37%
53
10
14%
78
8
55%
34
10
37%
52
11
35%
57
8
39%
49
12
31%
59
10
56%
36
8
43%
45
12
WHITE..............................................
COLLEGE DEG
BornAgnEv
Yes
No
Prot
Cath
Men
Wom
Yes
No
Climate change
Don't think so
DK/NA
Climate change
Don't think so
DK/NA
38%
51
11
28%
62
10
24%
67
9
30%
60
10
28%
64
8
34%
54
12
17%
73
9
32%
59
9
COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No
ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INC AGE IN YRS..............
<50K
50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+
40%
49
11
43%
47
10
36%
55
9
33%
59
8
33%
59
8
44%
52
4
38%
55
7
36%
55
9
32%
48
20
30. In general, do you support or oppose same-sex marriage?
Support
Oppose
DK/NA
Tot
Rep
Dem
Ind
Men
Wom
Wht
Blk
Hsp
48%
46
7
23%
73
4
65%
29
7
49%
43
8
43%
50
7
52%
42
6
47%
47
6
43%
45
12
61%
36
3
WHITE..............................................
COLLEGE DEG
BornAgnEv
Yes
No
Prot
Cath
Men
Wom
Yes
No
Support
Oppose
DK/NA
Support
Oppose
DK/NA
60%
37
4
41%
52
7
32%
63
5
49%
43
8
42%
52
6
51%
43
6
17%
77
5
52%
42
6
COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No
ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INC AGE IN YRS..............
<50K
50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+
60%
35
5
46%
48
6
42%
50
7
46%
46
8
56%
40
4
63%
35
2
54%
40
6
44%
48
8
36%
57
8
TREND: In general, do you support or oppose same-sex marriage?
Support
Oppose
DK/NA
Dec 05
2012
Jul 17
2008
48
46
7
36
55
9
5
31. Do you think that the use of marijuana should be made legal in the United States, or
not?
Yes
No
DK/NA
Tot
Rep
Dem
Ind
Men
Wom
Wht
Blk
Hsp
51%
44
5
31%
66
3
58%
36
6
58%
37
5
59%
36
5
44%
52
5
50%
46
5
57%
37
6
47%
48
5
WHITE..............................................
COLLEGE DEG
BornAgnEv
Yes
No
Prot
Cath
Men
Wom
Yes
No
Yes
No
DK/NA
Yes
No
DK/NA
54%
42
5
47%
48
4
39%
56
5
45%
50
4
57%
39
4
43%
52
5
33%
64
3
48%
47
5
COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No
ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INC AGE IN YRS..............
<50K
50-100 >100K 18-29 30-44 45-64 65+
54%
41
5
52%
43
4
50%
45
5
49%
47
4
56%
41
3
67%
29
4
58%
39
3
48%
47
5
35%
56
9
32. Do you think David Petraeus was right to resign because of admitted adultery or do you
think he should have remained as the head of the CIA?
Right to resign
Remained CIA head
DK/NA
Tot
Rep
Dem
Ind
Men
Wom
Wht
Blk
Hsp
47%
41
13
50%
37
13
43%
43
14
48%
42
10
48%
40
11
45%
41
14
47%
40
13
41%
48
10
47%
42
11
WHITE..............................................
COLLEGE DEG
BornAgnEv
Yes
No
Prot
Cath
Men
Wom
Yes
No
Right to resign
Remained CIA head
DK/NA
Right to resign
Remained CIA head
DK/NA
DK/NA
51%
38
11
45%
40
14
48%
39
13
48%
42
10
49%
40
12
46%
39
15
48%
36
15
48%
41
11
Mltry
HsHld
48%
42
10
COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No
ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME...
<50K 50-100 100-250 >250K
AGE IN YRS.......
18-44 45-64 65+
48%
39
13
13
45%
43
12
12
43%
42
15
15
46%
41
13
13
48%
41
11
11
49%
40
10
11
42%
48
10
14
49%
40
10
10
48%
39
1339
13
6
33. Do you think the Obama administration deliberately misled the American people about
the events surrounding the death of the American ambassador to Libya, or do you believe
the Obama administration shared the facts with the American people as they became
available?
Deliberately misled
Shared facts
DK/NA
Tot
Rep
Dem
Ind
Men
Wom
Wht
Blk
Hsp
41%
47
12
79%
12
9
11%
76
13
42%
45
13
44%
44
12
39%
49
12
50%
39
11
8%
78
14
26%
59
15
WHITE..............................................
COLLEGE DEG
BornAgnEv
Yes
No
Prot
Cath
Men
Wom
Yes
No
Deliberately misled
Shared facts
DK/NA
Deliberately misled
Shared facts
DK/NA
46%
46
8
53%
35
12
59%
31
10
53%
37
10
52%
37
11
49%
40
11
70%
23
8
48%
41
11
Mltry
HsHld
46%
43
11
COLLEGE DEG
Yes
No
ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME...
<50K 50-100 100-250 >250K
AGE IN YRS.......
18-44 45-64 65+
39%
51
10
37%
50
13
37%
49
15
42%
45
13
44%
44
12
48%
45
7
40%
52
8
44%
47
9
45%
42
13
7