Research News

Vanderbilt Poll: Voters prefer state run health care exchange

A new poll from Vanderbilt University shows that Tennessee voters prefer that the state run the online health care exchange required by the federal Affordable Health Care Act, with Republicans more adamant about the issue than voters as a whole.

That sentiment reflected by the Vanderbilt Poll conflicts with the actions of Republican Gov. Bill Haslam. He informed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Dec. 10 that Tennessee is declining to create and run the exchange, an online marketplace where state residents can shop for health coverage. That means the federal government will step in and do it.

“If a health care exchange must be created, the voters of Tennessee place more trust in the state than the federal government to do it,” said John Geer, Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of Political Science and co-director of the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions at Vanderbilt. “And Republicans are even more trusting of the state to run the health care exchange than Democrats. That may be a surprise to some, but it makes sense since Republicans have long had more faith in state governments than Democrats.”

The online exchange question was one of more than 45 asked of 829 registered voters using landlines and cell phones from Nov. 27 to Dec. 9 by the Vanderbilt Poll. Among all Tennesseans, 53 percent wanted the state to run the exchange and just 33 percent wanted the federal government to do so. Seventy-three percent of Republicans wanted the state to run the health care exchange, compared with 31 percent of Democrats and 59 percent of independents.

Josh Clinton speaks during a news conference Dec. 12, 2012, at the Student Life Center on the Vanderbilt Campus. (Susan Urmy/Vanderbilt).

The poll, conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International, has a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points.

Voters were also asked about a wide variety of other issues likely to impact the legislature during its next session, which begins in January. The database of findings will be available online at the website of the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions at Vanderbilt.

“Elections can only reveal which candidates voters prefer,” said Josh Clinton, associate professor of political scienceand co-director of the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions at Vanderbilt. “The Vanderbilt Poll gives us a unique opportunity to explore what the voters think about the many important issues that confront our state and country. The poll offers extraordinary insights into what voters think and care about.”

Among the findings:

  • Tennesseans overwhelmingly want elected leaders to work with members of the opposing party even if it means they need to compromise on their values and priorities
  • Tennesseans give high marks to their U.S. senators and Gov. Haslam
  • Tennesseans are prepared to support tax increases for wealthy Americans, but not an increase in the eligibility age for Medicare
  • Tennesseans continue to see the economy as the top priority of the state, with education and health care vying for second place. Social issues such as guns, immigration, and gay rights are a distant fourth
  • Tennesseans strongly support charter schools
  • Tennesseans rate their local public schools higher than they do public schools in general
  • Tennesseans believe public school teachers are not paid enough money
  • Tennesseans narrowly support allowing individuals to carry guns in their vehicles while on their employer’s private property
  • Tennesseans overwhelmingly oppose having the state tell private entities how to operate and favor private entities being free to make their own policies.
  • Tennesseans favor letting citizens choose judges rather than the governor, but nearly a third of the state has not thought much about this issue
  • Tennesseans overwhelmingly oppose adopting “closed” primaries

The Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions at Vanderbilt aims to foster an engaging intellectual environment to explore how political institutions shape political debate, ameliorate conflicts and influence public policy.


(N = 829; Margin of Error +/- 4.3%)

Highlights

[accordions]

[accordion title=”Q6. Which of the following comes closest to your view, even if neither is exactly right? (I would prefer my legislators work with members of the opposing political party even if it means they have to compromise on some of their values and priorities.) Or, (I would prefer my legislators pursue their own values and priorities even if it means they are unwilling to work with members of the opposing political party.)”]

[chart data=”74,22,3,2″ labels=”Work with members of opposing party|Pursue own values and priorities|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q7. In general, do you think the state government ought to tell private entities how to operate or should private entities be free to make their own policies?”]

[chart data=”17,69,9,5″ labels=”State government should tell how to operate|Private entities make own policies|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q9. Which of the following do you think should be the TOP priority of the Tennessee state government? Do you think it should be…”][chart data=”60,10,18,4,1,4,1,1,0″ labels=”Economy, including jobs|Healthcare|Education|Immigration|Guns|Social issues like abortion and gay rights|Something else|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q14. Thinking about education in the state of Tennessee …Would you favor or oppose opening more charter schools? Charter schools are public, and function independently of the local district as long as they meet certain standards set by the state government.”]

[chart data=”64,26,7,3″ labels=”Favor|Oppose|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q24. Do you think public school teachers are currently being paid too much, not enough, or about the right amount?”]

[chart data=”3,65,28,4,0″ labels=”Too much|Not enough|About the right amount|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q25. There are currently proposals being discussed to expand Medicaid to provide health insurance to more low-income uninsured adults, including adults with no children whose incomes are below about $16,000 per year. The federal government will initially pay the entire cost of this expansion, and after several years, states will pay 10 percent and the federal government will pay 90 percent. If Tennessee chooses not to expand Medicaid, uninsured individuals will likely continue to receive most of their medical treatment in emergency rooms which increases health care costs for the insured. The Supreme Court ruled that states may choose whether or not to participate in this expansion. Which of the following two options is closest to your view even if neither is exactly right? (Keep Medicaid as it is today, with no new funding from the federal government and no change in who will be covered by the program). Or, (expand Medicaid to cover more low-income uninsured people, with the federal government initially paying the entire cost of the expansion and Tennessee eventually paying 10 percent)?”]

[chart data=”46,47,5,2″ labels=”Keep Medicaid as is|Expand Medicaid|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q27. Recently, the Tennessee state legislature has been debating whether individuals with handgun carry permits should be allowed to keep guns in their vehicles while on their employer’s private property. On one hand, if workers are not permitted to keep a gun in their vehicle, then they will not be able to exercise their right to carry guns on their commute to work. On the other hand, employers have a right to determine whether or not to allow guns on their property. Do you think employers should be required by the state to allow their employees to keep a gun in their vehicle if they have the required permits?”]

[chart data=”53,44,3,1″ labels=”State require employers to allow|State not require employers to allow|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q36. In the coming months, more parts of the Affordable Care Act will go into effect. As you may know, part of the law creates a health insurance exchange, which offers a set of health insurance plans from which individuals can choose. Would you rather have the State of Tennessee create and run its own health care exchange system, or would you rather have the state use the health care exchange system created by the federal government? “]

[chart data=”54,31,12,2″ labels=”State should run|Federal government should run|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[/accordions]

Complete Results

[accordions]

[accordion title=”Q1. I’d like your views on some government organizations and elected officials. As I read each name, please tell me if you approve or disapprove of how each is handling their job. First, do you approve or disapprove of?”]

[chart data=”45,51,1,2,1″ labels=”Approve|Disapprove|Too early to tell(v)|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” title=”1a. The job Barack Obama is doing as President”]

[chart data=”21,68,2,8,1″ labels=”Approve|Disapprove|Too early to tell(v)|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” title=”1b. The job the U.S. Congress is doing”]

[chart data=”53,28,3,15,1″ labels=”Approve|Disapprove|Too early to tell(v)|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” title=”1c. The job the Tennessee State Legislature is doing”]

[chart data=”68,19,2,9,1″ labels=”Approve|Disapprove|Too early to tell(v)|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” title=”1d. The job Bill Haslam is doing as governor”]

[chart data=”56,24,2,18,1″ labels=”Approve|Disapprove|Too early to tell(v)|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” title=”1e. The job Lamar Alexander is doing as U.S. senator”]

[chart data=”60,23,2,14,1″ labels=”Approve|Disapprove|Too early to tell(v)|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” title=”1f. The job Bob Corker is doing as U.S. senator”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q2. We hear a lot of talk these days about liberals and conservatives. On a five-point scale that goes from very liberal to very conservative, where would you place the following people with respect to their views on SOCIAL ISSUES dealing with issues such as such as gay marriage, abortion, guns, immigration?”]

[chart data=”13,19,12,24,28,4,1″ labels=”Very liberal|Somewhat liberal|Neither liberal nor conservative|Somewhat conservative|Very conservative|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” title=”2a. Yourself”]

[chart data=”2,11,10,44,13,20,0″ labels=”Very liberal|Somewhat liberal|Neither liberal nor conservative|Somewhat conservative|Very conservative|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” title=”2b. Governor Haslam”]

[chart data=”4,8,9,38,22,18,1″ labels=”Very liberal|Somewhat liberal|Neither liberal nor conservative|Somewhat conservative|Very conservative|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” title=”2c. The Tennessee State Legislature”]

[chart data=”4,12,7,39,30,8,1″ labels=”Very liberal|Somewhat liberal|Neither liberal nor conservative|Somewhat conservative|Very conservative|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” title=”2d. Fellow citizens in Tennessee”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q3. On a five-point scale that goes from very liberal to very conservative, where would you place the following people with respect to their views on ECONOMIC ISSUES dealing with issues such as such as government spending, job creation and tax policy?”]

[chart data=”8,15,15,29,30,3,1″ labels=”Very liberal|Somewhat liberal|Neither liberal nor conservative|Somewhat conservative|Very conservative|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” title=”3a. Yourself”]

[chart data=”4,11,8,45,14,17,1″ labels=”Very liberal|Somewhat liberal|Neither liberal nor conservative|Somewhat conservative|Very conservative|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” title=”3b. Governor Haslam”]

[chart data=”5,12,10,39,16,17,2″ labels=”Very liberal|Somewhat liberal|Neither liberal nor conservative|Somewhat conservative|Very conservative|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” title=”3c. The Tennessee State Legislature”]

[chart data=”4,10,11,47,20,7,1″ labels=”Very liberal|Somewhat liberal|Neither liberal nor conservative|Somewhat conservative|Very conservative|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” title=”3d. Fellow citizens in Tennessee”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q4. Thinking about the election held on November 6, which party did you vote for in the race for Tennessee State House? Did you vote for the (Democratic) candidate, the (Republican) candidate, or did you not vote in the most recent election?”]

[chart data=”31,44,17,1,3,4″ labels=”Democratic|Republican|Did not vote|A different party (v)|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q5. Thinking about the election held on November 6, which candidate did you vote for for president? Did you vote for (Barack Obama) or (Mitt Romney), or did you not vote in the most recent election?”]

[chart data=”36,46,14,2,1,3″ labels=”Barack Obama|Mitt Romney|Did not vote|A different party(v)|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q6. Which of the following comes closest to your view, even if neither is exactly right? (I would prefer my legislators work with members of the opposing political party even if it means they have to compromise on some of their values and priorities.) Or, (I would prefer my legislators pursue their own values and priorities even if it means they are unwilling to work with members of the opposing political party.)”]

[chart data=”74,22,3,2″ labels=”Work with members of opposing party|Pursue own values and priorities|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q7. In general, do you think the state government ought to tell private entities how to operate or should private entities be free to make their own policies?”]

[chart data=”17,69,9,5″ labels=”State government should tell how to operate|Private entities make own policies|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q8. In general, do you think the state government ought to tell private entities, such as religious groups, private universities, and corporations, what their non-discrimination policies should be or should private entities be free to make their own policies? “]

[chart data=”21,71,6,2″ labels=”State government should tell how to operate|Private entities make own policies|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q9. Which of the following do you think should be the TOP priority of the Tennessee state government? Do you think it should be…”]

[chart data=”60,10,18,4,1,4,1,1,0″ labels=”Economy, including jobs|Healthcare|Education|Immigration|Guns|Social issues like abortion and gay rights|Something else|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q10. Which of the following do you think should be the SECOND highest priority of the Tennessee state government?”]

[chart data=”25,28,30,6,3,6,1,1,0″ labels=”Economy, including jobs|Healthcare|Education|Immigration|Guns|Social issues like abortion and gay rights|Something else|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q11. How would you rate the condition of the Tennessee state economy these days? Is it… “]

[chart data=”3,50,31,13,3,1″ labels=”Very good|Fairly good|Fairly bad|Very bad|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q12. How would you rate the condition of the United States economy these days? Is it…”]

[chart data=”2,31,36,30,0,1″ labels=”Very good|Fairly good|Fairly bad|Very bad|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q13. Who do you think is most responsible for the state of the economy? Do you think it is…”]

[chart data=”31,25,23,3,5,7,7″ labels=”President Obama|U.S. Congress|President Bush|TN State Legislature|Governor Haslam|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q14. Thinking about education in the state of Tennessee …Would you favor or oppose opening more charter schools? Charter schools are public, and function independently of the local district as long as they meet certain standards set by the state government.”]

[chart data=”64,26,7,3″ labels=”Favor|Oppose|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q15. Thinking about education in the state of Tennessee …Would you favor or oppose opening more public schools that function independently of the local district as long as they meet certain standards set by the state government?”]

[chart data=”66,27,6,2″ labels=”Favor|Oppose|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q17. Which comes closer to your view, even if neither is exactly right? Teachers and counselors in Tennessee public elementary and middle schools should be prohibited from providing any information or material that mentions sexual orientation other than heterosexuality. Or, teachers and counselors should be allowed to mention other sexual orientations.”]

[chart data=”41,45,7,7″ labels=”Only mention heterosexuality|Be allowed to mention other sexual orientations|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q18. Overall, what grade would you give public schools in Tennessee? Do they deserve an…”]

[chart data=”4,30,42,16,5,2,0″ labels=”A|B|C|D|F|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q19. Overall, what grade would you give the local public schools in your district in Tennessee? Do they deserve an…”]

[chart data=”13,34,33,11,5,5″ labels=”A|B|C|D|F|Don’t Know(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q20. Do you favor or oppose the Tennessee Valley Authority, or have you not heard enough about it to have an opinion?”]

[chart data=”36,7,54,3,1″ labels=”Favor|Oppose|Haven’t heard enough about it|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q21. Do you favor or oppose the use of nuclear energy as one of the ways to provide electricity for the state of Tennessee, or haven’t you thought much about the issue?”]

[chart data=”47,15,37,1,0″ labels=”Favor|Oppose|Haven’t heard enough about it|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q22. Now thinking about wind power, some people argue that wind turbines are a good source of renewable energy with very low environmental impact. Others argue that wind turbines are too big and often placed on mountaintops creating an eye sore. Do you favor or oppose the use of wind turbines to generate energy?”]

[chart data=”61,12,25,2,1″ labels=”Favor|Oppose|Haven’t heard enough about it|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q23. Do you think public employees are currently being paid too much, not enough, or about the right amount?”]

[chart data=”17,36,35,10,2″ labels=”Too much|Not enough|About the right amount|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q24. Do you think public school teachers are currently being paid too much, not enough, or about the right amount?”]

[chart data=”3,65,28,4,0″ labels=”Too much|Not enough|About the right amount|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q25. There are currently proposals being discussed to expand Medicaid to provide health insurance to more low-income uninsured adults, including adults with no children whose incomes are below about $16,000 per year. The federal government will initially pay the entire cost of this expansion, and after several years, states will pay 10 percent and the federal government will pay 90 percent. If Tennessee chooses not to expand Medicaid, uninsured individuals will likely continue to receive most of their medical treatment in emergency rooms which increases health care costs for the insured. The Supreme Court ruled that states may choose whether or not to participate in this expansion. Which of the following two options is closest to your view even if neither is exactly right? (Keep Medicaid as it is today, with no new funding from the federal government and no change in who will be covered by the program). Or, (expand Medicaid to cover more low-income uninsured people, with the federal government initially paying the entire cost of the expansion and Tennessee eventually paying 10 percent)?”]

[chart data=”46,47,5,2″ labels=”Keep Medicaid as is|Expand Medicaid|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q27. Recently, the Tennessee state legislature has been debating whether individuals with handgun carry permits should be allowed to keep guns in their vehicles while on their employer’s private property. On one hand, if workers are not permitted to keep a gun in their vehicle, then they will not be able to exercise their right to carry guns on their commute to work. On the other hand, employers have a right to determine whether or not to allow guns on their property. Do you think employers should be required by the state to allow their employees to keep a gun in their vehicle if they have the required permits?”]

[chart data=”53,44,3,1″ labels=”State require employers to allow|State not require employers to allow|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q30. Since 1970, judges on the Tennessee Supreme Court have been chosen by the governor from a list of qualified candidates put forward by a nominating commission. The State Legislature has been debating whether Tennessee voters should elect these judges. Some support this change because citizens, rather than the governor, would choose judges. Others oppose the change because judges would have to campaign for election, which might politicize the judicial process. What do you think? Should judges be appointed by the governor, or elected by voters, or haven’t you thought much about it?”]

[chart data=”28,44,27,1,1″ labels=”Governor chooses|Voters choose|Haven’t thought much about it|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q31. Some local communities in Tennessee are passing laws that ban discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people. Do you favor or oppose such laws, or haven’t you thought much about it?”]

[chart data=”36,33,26,3,2″ labels=”Favor|Oppose|Haven’t thought much about it|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q32. Currently, Tennessee residents are allowed to vote in either the Democratic or the Republican Party’s primary when they arrive at the polls on Primary Election Day. Do you think the state should change the rules so that only officially registered party members are allowed to vote in their party’s primary, or should people be able to choose which party primary to participate in on Election Day?”]

[chart data=”11,85,3,1″ labels=”Yes, change to closed primaries|No, leave primaries open|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q33. Given what you know about the Affordable Care Act that passed in 2010, do you have a generally favorable or generally unfavorable view of it, or have you not heard enough about it to form an opinion?”]

[chart data=”16,24,59,1,0″ labels=”Generally favorable|Generally unfavorable|Haven’t heard enough about it|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q34. Do you approve or disapprove of a provision in the Affordable Care Act that allows children to stay on their parents’ health insurance until the age of 26?”]

[chart data=”73,21,5,2″ labels=”Approve|Disapprove|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q35. Do you approve or disapprove of a provision in the Affordable Care Act that prohibits health insurance companies from charging some customers higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions or medical history?”]

[chart data=”40,49,8,4″ labels=”Approve|Disapprove|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q36. In the coming months, more parts of the Affordable Care Act will go into effect. As you may know, part of the law creates a health insurance exchange, which offers a set of health insurance plans from which individuals can choose. Would you rather have the State of Tennessee create and run its own health care exchange system, or would you rather have the state use the health care exchange system created by the federal government? “]

[chart data=”54,31,12,2″ labels=”State should run|Federal government should run|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q37. Do you approve or disapprove of a provision in the Affordable Care Act that allows children to stay on their parents’ health insurance until the age of 26?”]

[chart data=”69,27,4,1″ labels=”Approve|Disapprove|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q38. Do you approve or disapprove of a provision in the Affordable Care Act that prohibits health insurance companies from charging some customers higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions or medical history?”]

[chart data=”32,63,4,1″ labels=”Approve|Disapprove|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q39. In the coming months, more parts of the Affordable Care Act will go into effect. As you may know, part of the law creates a health insurance exchange which offers a set of health insurance plans from which individuals can choose. Would you rather have the State of Tennessee create and run its own health care exchange system, or would you rather have the state use the health care exchange system created by the federal government? “]

[chart data=”52,35,12,1″ labels=”State should run|Federal government should run|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q40. Given what you know about the Affordable Care Act that passed in 2010, do you have a generally favorable or generally unfavorable view of it, or have you not heard enough about it to form an opinion?”]

[chart data=”21,32,45,2,1″ labels=”Generally favorable|Generally unfavorable|Haven’t heard enough about it|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q41. Congress has considered many proposals for reducing the deficit. As I read a list of ideas, please tell me if you would be willing or not willing to see each one be part of the final package that Congress considers to reduce the deficit, or not. First, how about …”]

41a. Allow the tax cuts passed in 2001 and 2003 to expire for families earning over $250,000 per year.

[chart data=”57,36,6,2″ labels=”Yes, willing|No, not wiling|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” ]

41b. Reduce the value of itemized tax deductions, such as for child care and mortgages, for families earning over $250,000 per year.

[chart data=”60,34,5,1″ labels=”Yes, willing|No, not wiling|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” ]

41c. Raise the eligibility age for Medicare from 65 to 67 years old.

[chart data=”35,61,3,1″ labels=”Yes, willing|No, not wiling|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

41d. Place strict limits on how much money Washington will spend on Medicaid and Medicare.

[chart data=”50,52,7,1″ labels=”Yes, willing|No, not wiling|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

41e. Freeze spending on non-defense domestic programs such as education, parks, and housing through the year 2019.

[chart data=”40,51,8,1″ labels=”Yes, willing|No, not wiling|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)”]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Some people have called for their state to remove itself from the United States of America and form a new country. How about you? Do you think Tennessee should become independent from the U.S. and form its own country…? OR should Tennessee remain a part of the U.S.?”]

[chart data=”7,90,1,2,1″ labels=”TN should be independent|TN should remain part of the U.S.|Haven’t thought much about it|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” ]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q42. Which comes closest to your view about illegal immigrants who are currently working in the U.S.? They should be allowed to stay in their jobs and to eventually apply for U.S. citizenship; they should be allowed to stay in their jobs only as temporary guest workers, but not to apply for U.S. citizenship; or, they should be required to leave their jobs and leave the U.S.”]

[chart data=”48,15,33,3,2″ labels=”Apply for citizenship|Stay as temporary guest workers|Leave jobs and U.S.|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” ]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q43. Thinking of your finances these days, would you say that you and your household are…”]

[chart data=”15,31,53,0,0″ labels=”Better off|Worse off|About the same|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” ]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q44. Do you think of yourself as part of the Tea Party movement?”]

[chart data=”14,72,6,7,1″ labels=”Yes|No|Never heard of Tea Party|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” ]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”Q45. In general, do you support the Tea Party movement’s ideas?”]

[chart data=”33,49,12,0,5,2″ labels=”Yes|No|Don’t know what Tea Party ideas are|Never heard of Tea Party|Don’t Know(v)|Refused(v)” ]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”These days, many people are so busy they can’t find time to register to vote, or move around so often they don’t get a chance to re-register. Are you NOW registered to vote in your precinct or election district or haven’t you been able to register so far?”]

[chart data=”100″ labels=”Yes” ]

[/accordion]

[accordion title=”A few last questions for statistical purposes only…”]

[chart data=”48,52″ labels=”Male|Female” title=”Respondent’s sex”]

[chart data=”23,17,19,19,21,2″ labels=”18-34|35-44|45-54|55-64|65 plus|Don’t know/Refused (v)” title=”What is your age?”]

About how many years have you lived in Tennessee? (IF LIVED IN TN OFF-AND-ON, READ: Please think about the total time you have lived in Tennessee.)

[chart data=”13,14,16,14,14,29,1″ labels=”Less than 10|10 to 19|20 to 29|30 to 39|40 to 49|50 or more|Don’t know/Refused (v)”]

Are you, yourself, of Hispanic or Latino origin or descent, such as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or some other Latin American background?

[chart data=”1,97,0,1″ labels=”Yes|No|Don’t know (v)|Refused (v)]

What is your race? Are you white, black, Asian, or some other race?

[chart data=”81,15,1,1,1,0,0,1″ labels=”White|Black or African American|Asian or Pacific Islander|Mixed Race|Native American/American Indian|Other|Don’t know (v)|Refused (v)”]

Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a

[chart data=”32,30,28,10,0,0″ labels=”Democrat|Republican|Independent|Something else|Don’t know (v)|Refused (v)”]

IDEO1. We hear a lot of talk these days about conservatives and liberals. How would you generally describe your views on most political matters? Are you

[chart data=”38,40,19,3,0″ labels=”Conservative|Moderate|Liberal|Don’t know (v)|Refused (v)”]

IDEO2. We hear a lot of talk these days about conservatives and progressives. How would you generally describe your views on most political matters? Are you

[chart data=”41,39,14,5,2″ labels=”Conservative|Moderate|Progressive|Don’t know (v)|Refused (v)”]

What is the highest level of school you have completed or the highest degree you have received?

[chart data=”9,34,28,16,13,0″ labels=”Less than high school|High school graduate|Some college|4-year college graduate|More than 4-year degree|Don’t know/Refused (v)”]

How often do you attend church, mosque, synagogue or other place of worship? Do you attend

[chart data=”11,28,15,27,18,0,1″ labels=”Never|Seldom|Almost every week|Once a week|More than once a week|Don’t know (v)|Refused (v)]

Would you call yourself a born-again Christian – that is, have you personally had a conversion experience related to Jesus Christ?

[chart data=”64,33,1,2″ labels=”Yes, born-again Christian|No|Don’t know (v)|Refused (v)”]

Before taxes, was your total household income in 2011?

[chart data=”10,18,18,18,12,13,11″ labels=”Less than $15,000|$15,000 – Less than $30,000|$30,000 – Less than $45,000|$45,000 – Less than $75,000|$75,000 – Less than $100,000|$100,000 or More|Don’t know/Refused (v)”]

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For more information, see the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions website.