Gallup poll shows voters open to candidates of different faiths, ideologies

Gallup poll shows voters open to candidates of different faiths, ideologies May 17, 2019

According to a May 2019 Gallup poll, likely voters expressed increased support for candidates holding varying faiths and ideologies.

The survey asked likely voters a series of hypothetical questions about candidate qualities, and faith and ideology. It found that out of 12 hypothetical candidate qualities, voters nearly universally supported voting for a black, Jewish, or Catholic candidate.

Among the random sample of 1,024 adults polled, 96 percent of voters said they would vote for a black candidate, 95 percent said they would vote for Catholic candidate, and 93 percent said they would vote for Jewish candidate.

Strong majorities also said they would support a homosexual or lesbian candidate (76 percent); a Muslim candidate (66 percent), and an atheist (60 percent).

The only significant differences between the 2015 and 2019 polls was a 7 percent increase in the number of voters willing to vote for an evangelical candidate (73 percent in 2015 and 80 percent in 2019), and a 6 percent increase in the number of voters willing to vote for a Muslim candidate (60 percent in 2015 and 66 percent in 2019).

In 2015 and in 2019 47 percent said they would vote for a Socialist candidate.

The poll has a margin of error of +/- 4 percentage points, with a 95 percent confidence level.


Browse Our Archives

Follow Us!