Vanderbilt Poll
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Vanderbilt Unity Poll: Public strongly rejects presidential power over university enrollment, deportation without due process
The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy recently conducted a national poll about Americans’ opinions on topics including higher education, the state of the economy under President Donald Trump’s administration and immigration, among other key issues. The results reveal interesting nuances in public sentiment, as well as divisions among those Republican voters who identify as part of the Make America Great Again movement and those who identify more with the traditional Republican Party. Read MoreJun 18, 2025
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Vanderbilt Poll: Tennesseans aligned in opposition to federal funding cuts, deeply divided on presidential powers
At a time of deep political divisions, registered Tennessee voters are united in their overwhelming support for key federal programs, according to the latest semiannual statewide Vanderbilt Poll. Concern about the U.S. economy and personal financial futures is also prevalent, while partisan divides are more apparent on issues such as immigration, tariffs and President Donald Trump’s response to court rulings against his actions and policies. Read MoreMay 8, 2025
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Vanderbilt Poll: Mayor O’Connell keeps earning high marks; Nashvillians align on issues, but not always on solutions
Eighteen months since taking office, Mayor Freddie O’Connell continues to enjoy broad public approval. The 2025 Vanderbilt Poll–Nashville found his favorability among Nashville residents at 67 percent—a very high level of approval for any elected politician that underscores the success of his first year and a half in office. O’Connell’s positive assessment aligns with the emerging consensus that Nashville is headed in a better direction than it was a few years ago. Read MoreApr 4, 2025
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Vanderbilt Poll: Post-election, core concerns and views of Tennesseans persist
The latest semiannual, statewide Vanderbilt Poll reflects that the election had little impact on Tennesseans’ stances on key issues. A notable exception was increased approvals for state lawmakers since May, despite often holding positions on some issues that are out of step with Tennesseans. Read MoreDec 13, 2024
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Vanderbilt elections course breaks record as largest elective class in the university’s history
With 1,100 enrolled students, the number speaks for itself—PSCI 1150: U.S. Elections is a hot commodity on campus. The elective course offered every four years by the College of Arts and Science is a highly anticipated deep dive into how elections work in the U.S., blending a robust understanding of history with extensive research from political science. Read MoreOct 11, 2024
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Vanderbilt Poll: Majority of Tennessee voters now pro-choice, gender gap developing on key issues
The semiannual, statewide Vanderbilt Poll showed in its most recent survey that slightly more than half of the state’s voters support a woman’s right to an abortion, that there is significant bipartisan support of IVF procedures as well as modest gun control legislation, and that views about many state and national issues differ significantly by gender. Read MoreMay 22, 2024
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Clinton named 2024 Carnegie Fellow to study causes of political polarization
Josh Clinton, who holds the Abby and Jon Winkelried Chair and serves as professor of political science and co-director of the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions, has been named a 2024 Andrew Carnegie Foundation Fellow. He joins 27 other scholars nationwide being recognized for their research into the polarization of society and the fortification of our democracy. Read MoreMay 8, 2024
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Vanderbilt Poll: City ‘back on the right track,’ Nashvillians largely unified across issues
According to the 2024 Vanderbilt Poll–Nashville, a majority (53 percent) of Nashvillians believe the city is on the right track, which represents a nine-point increase from last year. It is the first time in four years the measure has increased. Read MoreApr 4, 2024
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Vanderbilt Unity Poll reveals a Trump conviction could significantly impact centrist voters
Americans overwhelmingly feel that their political systems do not represent them, including compromise on abortion, and they are not confident the American political system accurately reflects their will, according to the latest quarterly Vanderbilt Unity Poll measuring Americans’ unity and beliefs on government and democracy. Read MoreJan 11, 2024
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Vanderbilt Poll: State legislature’s approval remains low; bipartisan support for abortion exceptions, gun safety laws; more
If the 2024 presidential election were held today, a felony conviction would cost former President Trump some votes, but not enough to make Tennessee a close contest in the 2024 presidential race. This shift could, however, cost Trump key battleground states, according to the latest statewide Vanderbilt Poll, released today. Read MoreDec 14, 2023
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Vanderbilt Poll finds Tennesseans broadly united on key issues, economic insecurity top of mind for many
The 2019 Vanderbilt Poll shows that Tennesseans agree on many tough issues, while a new set of questions reveals insights into the financial and health care worries of Tennessee voters. Read MoreDec 17, 2019
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Tennessee stands at a political crossroads: Vanderbilt Poll
Despite opportunities for broad consensus, Tennessee’s long history of pragmatic politics could be affected by rising polarization along party lines, according to the most recent statewide Vanderbilt University Poll. Read MoreJun 6, 2019
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Stalagmite holds key to predicting droughts, floods for India
Stalagmite records from monsoon regions such as India are vital to understanding past variability in the global climate system and the underlying reasons for this variability. Read MoreMar 25, 2019
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Media Advisory: Statewide Vanderbilt Poll to be released Thursday, May 17
Between April 26 and May 8, researchers surveyed a demographically representative sample of about 1,400 Tennessee voters on a number of important state and national issues. Read MoreMay 14, 2018
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Statewide Vanderbilt Poll to be released Thursday, Dec. 14
The poll’s findings will provide valuable and occasionally surprising insights into the 2018 senate and gubernatorial races, President Trump, health care reform, tax reform, bipartisanship and more. Read MoreDec 8, 2017
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Vanderbilt political scientist can discuss popularity of various health care reform proposals among Tennesseans
[vustarinfo] Professor of Political Science John Geer With the release June 22 of the Senate Republicans’ health care bill, Vanderbilt political scientist John Geer is available to discuss how Tennesseans feel about a variety of health care proposals ranging from a complete repeal of… Read MoreJun 22, 2017
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MEDIA ADVISORY: Vanderbilt Poll news conference is May 19
Reporters are invited to a May 19 news conference unveiling the results of the latest Vanderbilt Poll-Tennessee Read MoreMay 10, 2016
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Vanderbilt Poll reveals statewide attitudes toward pressing issues
Results of the latest Vanderbilt Poll on Tennessee issues will be released on December 4 in the Student Life Center on the Vanderbilt campus. Read MoreDec 1, 2015
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MEDIA ADVISORY: New Vanderbilt Poll results to be discussed May 13 at Vanderbilt
Results from the new Vanderbilt Poll will be discussed at a news conference May 13 in the Student Life Center. Read MoreMay 6, 2015
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Support rising for gay unions in Tennessee: Vanderbilt Poll
John Geer and Josh Clinton presented data from the Vanderbilt Poll to reporters at The Associated Press' legislative planning session on Feb 5. Read MoreFeb 6, 2015