January 2014 survey of registered Virginia voters Virginians Speak

SURVEY ADMINISTRATION 1,023 registered Virginia voters January 15-22, 2014 Live interviewing, landline and cell phone

The State of Things Virginia voters largely positive about state of things in Commonwealth. Much happier with direction of Commonwealth than direction of nation. Majority optimistic about Terry McAuliffe’s governorship.

Medicaid Expansion Virginia voters express strong support for expanding Medicaid. Support crosses party lines and all regions of the state. Support higher in Richmond/Central, lower in Northern Virginia and Southwest/Southside. Majority support across party lines. In general, do you support Medicaid expansion or oppose it? 56%

Medicaid expansion – federal support However, support for expanding Medicaid drops dramatically when the possibility of the federal government not paying its part is introduced. Support drops by 15%. African-Americans and Richmond/Central are only groups still above 50% support. Would you support Medicaid expansion even if the federal government did not pay its share and Virginia had to cover that cost, or would you oppose it? 41% 56% -15%

Medicaid Expansion – Virginia Way? Could there be a “Virginia Way” to expand Medicaid? If so, it would most likely require seeking some form of exemption from the federal Medicaid guidelines. Half of registered voters oppose leaving the federal Medicaid program. Support highest amongst Republicans, Whites, Northern Virginia. Opposition highest amongst Democrats, African-Americans, and Female. Do you support Virginia seeking an exemption from the federal Medicaid guidelines, or should Virginia stay in the federal Medicaid program? 40%

Ethics Reform Virginians have strong views about ethics reform. By two-to-one margin, Virginians support gift limits for elected officials and their family. By an even larger margin, Virginians support the creation of an ethics advisory commission to review disclosure forms, among other things. Prohibit elected officials and their family from taking any gifts worth more than $250 from lobbyist or individuals with business before the state? Create an ethics advisory commission?

Education and Economic Development What are the best ways to meet the skilled workforce demands over next decade? Many proposals have been discussed. We tested four of the major ones. Voters think three will have a much greater impact, are less confident of one. What impact will each have on meeting the need for new workers to support economic growth?

Early Childhood Education There is constant debate about whether early childhood education makes a difference. By larger margins, voters think it does. Support for early childhood education is lowest amongst Republicans, Northern Virginia, and Richmond/Central Virginia. Support highest amongst African- Americans, Hampton Roads, Southwest/Southside. Does investing in early childhood education lead to better academic outcomes in K-12 and higher education?

Redistricting alternatives – Fair/unfair Virginia voters think the current method of redistricting is the least fair of three ways that redistricting could happen. Only 45% say the current methods is fair, compared to 62% who say a bipartisan advisory commission would be fair, and 53% who say amending the constitution to create a redistricting commission would be fair. Leave redistricting like it currently is, with General Assembly in charge Create bipartisan advisory commission to propose redistricting plans Amend constitution to create independent non-partisan redistricting commission

Redistricting alternatives - preferred Method Asked to choose which of the three methods they would prefer, Virginia voters choose amending the constitution. This method is by far most popular among Democrats, Independents, Whites, and in Nova, Richmond, and South/west. Republicans and African- Americans are divided. Hampton Roads supports advisory commission. If you could choose one of these three methods for redistricting for Virginia, which ONE would you choose?

Two-term Governor Strong majority of Virginia voters think that a sitting governor should be allowed to run for reelection. Support crosses party lines, although Republicans are less supportive than Democrats or Independents. Regionally, Northern Virginia is most supportive, Southwest/Southside least supportive. Do you think the Governor should be allowed to run for reelection at least once or should we leave it like it is?

Party Registration There is almost no support amongst registered Virginia voters for requiring party registration. Should voters be required to register by political party or should voter registration rules remain like they are?

Thank you!