April 19, 2013 - Ohio's Portman Loses Some GOP Support, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Favor Same-Sex Marriage, Background Checks Word format PDF format Ohio Sen. Rob Portman's job approval rating among voters slips to 40 - 31 percent, fueled mainly by a dip in Republican support, since he came out in favor of gay marriage, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. This compares to Sen. Portman's 44 - 24 percent approval rating in a February 28 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ac) University. Republican approval drops from 63 - 8 percent to 57 - 21 percent, 41 percent of Republicans saying they think less favorably of Portman because of his support of same-sex marriage. Democratic approval goes from a negative 26 - 36 percent to a negative 29 - 34 percent. Support among independent voters goes from 47 - 23 percent to 43 - 35 percent. With a substantial gender gap, Ohio voters lean toward same-sex marriage by a narrow 48 - 44 percent, compared to a split in a December 12 Quinnipiac University poll when 45 percent of voters supported it, with 47 percent opposed. Women support same-sex marriage 52 - 40 percent, while men are opposed 49 - 43 percent. Because of Portman's shift on same-sex marriage, 20 percent think more favorably of him, while 25 percent think less favorably and 53 percent say it makes no difference. "Sen. Rob Portman's reversal on same-sex marriage has cost him a little support in his Republican base, but has little impact among Democrats and independent voters," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "The movement in his numbers has not been massive and the overall movement towards acceptance of same-sex marriage, which we see in Ohio and elsewhere, could help him in the long run, especially if he seeks reelection four years from now." President Barack Obama's job approval rating in Ohio has dipped to a negative 45 - 51 percent, compared to 48 - 47 percent in March and 54 - 42 percent last December. On gun-control 84 percent of Ohio voters, including 80 percent of voters in households with guns, support universal background checks for gun buyers. Voters believe 50 - 40 percent that the government will use the information gained through such checks to confiscate firearms from legal owners. A 52 - 15 percent majority, however, say they are more likely to back a congressman who votes for a background checks. By a narrow 51 - 43 percent majority, Ohio voters say all employers should be required to offer birth control as part of their benefit plans, regardless of religious or moral beliefs. Again the gender gap is significant as women support the requirement 59 - 35 percent while men say 51 - 42 percent employers should be allowed to refuse birth control coverage based on religious or moral beliefs. Voters also say 48 - 43 percent that increasing the number of people eligible for Medicaid is a good idea. By a substantial 63 - 30 percent majority, Ohio voters believe the economic benefits of drilling for natural gas and oil in the state outweigh environmental concerns. From April 10 - 15, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,138 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 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, visit http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling, call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter. 7. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 41% 62% 24% 44% 48% 36% 43% 24% Disapprove 41 22 57 42 38 44 40 57 DK/NA 17 16 18 14 14 20 17 19 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Approve 41% 41% 39% 45% 50% 56% 43% 34% Disapprove 45 40 42 44 35 27 44 47 DK/NA 13 19 19 11 15 17 13 19 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job? APPROVE....... High Low Apr 19 Feb 28 Dec 12 May 09 Feb 14 Dec 10 Dec 12 2013 2013 2012 2012 2012 2008 2006 Approve 41 39 39 33 35 46 25 Disapprove 41 42 38 47 48 35 55 DK/NA 17 19 23 20 18 19 20 8. Do you approve or disapprove of the way - Rob Portman is handling his job as United States Senator? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 40% 57% 29% 43% 43% 38% 42% 36% Disapprove 31 21 34 35 35 27 31 27 DK/NA 29 22 37 22 22 35 27 37 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Approve 45% 39% 38% 42% 48% 44% 40% 40% Disapprove 34 30 29 33 34 29 27 35 DK/NA 21 32 32 26 19 27 33 25 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Rob Portman is handling his job as United States Senator? APPROVE...... High Low Apr 19 Feb 28 Dec 12 May 10 Feb 14 Feb 28 Mar 24 2013 2013 2012 2012 2012 2013 2011 Approve 40 44 42 38 42 44 30 Disapprove 31 24 27 23 25 24 25 DK/NA 29 33 31 39 34 33 45 9. Do you approve or disapprove of the way - Sherrod Brown is handling his job as United States Senator? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 47% 25% 73% 42% 41% 51% 43% 70% Disapprove 38 57 13 46 46 31 42 11 DK/NA 15 18 13 12 13 17 15 19 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Approve 48% 46% 50% 47% 41% 47% 48% 46% Disapprove 43 36 31 44 48 38 36 39 DK/NA 9 18 19 9 11 15 16 15 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Sherrod Brown is handling his job as United States Senator? (* High also 52% May 2009, Sep 2011) APPROVE....... High Low Apr 19 Feb 28 Dec 12 May 10 Feb 15 Dec 12 Jul 07 2013 2013 2012 2012 2012 2012* 2009 Approve 47 51 52 46 47 52 41 Disapprove 38 33 35 33 34 35 29 DK/NA 15 16 13 21 19 13 30 10. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 45% 11% 86% 36% 41% 49% 40% 91% Disapprove 51 87 13 59 56 46 57 7 DK/NA 4 2 2 5 3 5 3 2 WHITE................................. COLLEGE DEG Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Approve 42% 39% 32% 39% 36% 43% Disapprove 54 59 64 59 62 53 DK/NA 4 3 4 2 2 4 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Approve 46% 45% 50% 42% 41% 50% 43% 44% Disapprove 50 51 46 54 58 47 52 52 DK/NA 4 3 4 4 1 2 5 3 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? APPROVE....... High Low Apr 19 Mar 01 Dec 11 Jun 27 May 10 Feb 06 Dec 08 2013 2013 2012 2012 2012 2009 2011 Approve 45 48 54 48 49 67 41 Disapprove 51 47 42 46 48 16 55 DK/NA 4 4 4 5 2 17 4 21. Some people say there should be drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio because of the potential economic benefits. Others say there should not be drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio because of the potential environmental impact. Which comes closer to your point of view? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Drilling 63% 84% 43% 66% 72% 56% 67% 39% No drilling 30 10 49 27 24 36 28 48 DK/NA 7 6 7 6 4 9 6 13 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Drilling 62% 64% 59% 68% 73% 64% 64% 63% No drilling 33 29 33 28 24 32 31 28 DK/NA 5 7 8 4 3 4 5 9 TREND: Some people say there should be drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio because of the potential economic benefits, others say there should not be drilling for natural gas and oil in Ohio because of the potential environmental impact. Which comes closer to your point of view? Apr 19 May 09 Jan 19 2013 2012 2012 Drilling 63 64 64 No drilling 30 29 29 DK/NA 7 8 7 22. In general do you think that gun control laws in Ohio should be more strict, less strict, or are they about right? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk More strict 43% 24% 72% 32% 31% 53% 38% 76% Less strict 13 15 7 16 19 8 14 7 About right 41 57 19 49 49 34 44 16 DK/NA 3 3 2 3 2 4 4 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ More strict 47% 41% 46% 37% 43% 31% 40% 50% Less strict 10 14 13 15 12 17 17 8 About right 41 41 38 47 44 51 41 36 DK/NA 2 4 4 2 1 1 2 6 DENSITY............ GUN HSHOLD Urban Subrbn Rural Yes No More strict 48% 48% 29% 28% 57% Less strict 12 10 17 17 8 About right 35 38 52 53 30 DK/NA 4 3 2 2 4 TREND: In general do you think that gun control laws in Ohio should be more strict, less strict, or are they about right? Apr 19 Mar 01 Dec 12 2013 2013 2006 More strict 43 41 35 Less strict 13 11 12 About right 41 44 46 DK/NA 3 4 6 23. Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 51% 36% 71% 47% 39% 62% 50% 63% Oppose 46 61 27 49 59 33 47 34 DK/NA 3 3 2 4 2 4 3 3 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 58% 49% 56% 48% 48% 37% 50% 58% Oppose 39 48 41 50 49 61 47 37 DK/NA 3 3 3 2 2 2 3 4 DENSITY............ GUN HSHOLD Urban Subrbn Rural Yes No Support 52% 56% 45% 37% 65% Oppose 43 42 52 60 32 DK/NA 5 2 3 3 3 TREND: Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons? Apr 19 Mar 01 2013 2013 Support 51 53 Oppose 46 44 DK/NA 3 3 24. Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 bullets? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 52% 35% 72% 50% 39% 63% 51% 60% Oppose 45 63 26 46 59 32 46 34 DK/NA 3 3 2 4 2 5 3 6 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 56% 50% 55% 51% 48% 44% 48% 58% Oppose 42 46 42 46 51 53 50 37 DK/NA 2 4 4 3 1 3 2 5 DENSITY............ GUN HSHOLD Urban Subrbn Rural Yes No Support 55% 53% 44% 38% 65% Oppose 39 45 53 59 31 DK/NA 5 2 3 3 3 TREND: Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 bullets? Apr 19 Mar 01 2013 2013 Support 52 54 Oppose 45 42 DK/NA 3 5 25. Do you support or oppose requiring background checks for all gun buyers? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 84% 75% 94% 82% 76% 91% 83% 87% Oppose 15 23 6 17 22 8 15 13 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 84% 84% 86% 83% 80% 85% 84% 83% Oppose 15 15 13 16 20 15 15 15 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 - 1 2 DENSITY............ GUN HSHOLD Urban Subrbn Rural Yes No Support 83% 88% 80% 80% 89% Oppose 15 11 19 18 10 DK/NA 2 - 2 1 1 TREND: Do you support or oppose requiring background checks for all gun buyers? Apr 19 Mar 01 2013 2013 Support 84 90 Oppose 15 8 DK/NA 1 1 26. If a member of Congress who represents your district were to vote for requiring background checks for all gun buyers, would you be more likely to vote for that person, less likely to vote for that person, or wouldn't it make a difference? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk More likely 52% 44% 70% 46% 40% 63% 51% 63% Less likely 15 25 4 15 23 7 15 8 No difference 31 30 24 37 36 27 32 26 DK/NA 2 1 2 2 1 3 2 3 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ More likely 55% 51% 55% 52% 48% 53% 51% 53% Less likely 15 14 11 15 22 15 16 13 No difference 28 32 32 31 29 32 32 30 DK/NA 2 2 2 1 1 - 1 4 DENSITY............ GUN HSHOLD Urban Subrbn Rural Yes No More likely 54% 59% 43% 42% 63% Less likely 13 14 17 20 8 No difference 30 26 38 36 27 DK/NA 3 1 2 2 2 27. Do you believe that if there are background checks for all gun purchases the government will or will not use that information in the future to confiscate legally-owned guns? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Confiscate 50% 64% 37% 48% 57% 44% 50% 46% Will not 40 27 54 41 36 44 41 42 DK/NA 10 9 10 11 7 12 9 12 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Confiscate 38% 54% 52% 45% 43% 54% 49% 48% Will not 52 36 36 49 52 39 40 42 DK/NA 10 10 12 6 6 7 11 10 DENSITY............ GUN HSHOLD Urban Subrbn Rural Yes No Confiscate 50% 44% 57% 56% 43% Will not 37 47 36 34 48 DK/NA 12 9 8 9 10 28. In general, do you support or oppose same-sex marriage? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 48% 25% 67% 47% 43% 52% 48% 45% Oppose 44 69 23 44 49 40 45 39 DK/NA 9 6 10 9 9 9 8 16 WHITE................................. COLLEGE DEG Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Support 55% 45% 37% 49% 42% 53% Oppose 37 48 55 43 50 40 DK/NA 8 7 8 8 8 8 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 55% 45% 47% 49% 53% 68% 46% 38% Oppose 37 46 44 42 39 27 45 51 DK/NA 8 9 9 9 8 5 9 11 TREND: In general, do you support or oppose same-sex marriage? Apr 19 Dec 12 2013 2012 Support 48 45 Oppose 44 47 DK/NA 9 9 29. Does Rob Portman's support of same-sex marriage make you think more favorably of him, less favorably of him, or doesn't it make a difference? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk More favorably 20% 6% 30% 20% 19% 21% 20% 13% Less favorably 25 41 13 24 31 20 26 17 No difference 53 51 53 55 49 56 52 66 DK/NA 2 2 3 1 1 3 2 4 WHITE................................. COLLEGE DEG Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom More favorably 33% 16% 13% 23% 19% 22% Less favorably 21 28 33 24 32 21 No difference 45 54 52 52 48 55 DK/NA 1 2 2 1 1 3 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ More favorably 32% 15% 19% 19% 30% 35% 18% 14% Less favorably 21 27 22 27 28 15 27 28 No difference 45 56 57 53 40 48 53 56 DK/NA 1 3 2 - 2 2 2 3 30. As you may know Medicaid is a government program that pays for health care for low-income people and others with certain disabilities. Do you think that increasing the number of people eligible for Medicaid coverage in Ohio is a good idea or a bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Good idea 48% 23% 72% 45% 42% 52% 44% 76% Bad idea 43 68 20 43 50 37 46 15 DK/NA 9 8 8 12 7 11 10 9 WHITE................................. COLLEGE DEG Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Good idea 44% 44% 43% 34% 40% 47% Bad idea 48 46 44 60 52 41 DK/NA 8 10 13 6 8 12 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Good idea 44% 49% 56% 38% 39% 46% 47% 48% Bad idea 47 42 34 53 55 48 45 40 DK/NA 9 10 10 9 5 6 7 12 TREND: As you may know Medicaid is a government program that pays for health care for low-income people and others with certain disabilities. Do you think that increasing the number of people eligible for Medicaid coverage in Ohio is a good idea or a bad idea? Apr 19 Mar 01 2013 2013 Good idea 48 48 Bad idea 43 42 DK/NA 9 10 31. Which comes closer to your opinion about health insurance plans offered by employers; employers should be required to offer birth control coverage in the health plans they offer employees, or employers should be able to refuse to offer birth control coverage on moral or religious grounds? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Required to offer 51% 33% 74% 47% 42% 59% 50% 61% Able to refuse 43 63 20 49 51 35 45 28 DK/NA 6 4 7 4 6 6 5 11 WHITE................................. COLLEGE DEG Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Required to offer 46% 52% 45% 44% 41% 59% Able to refuse 51 42 49 53 54 36 DK/NA 2 6 6 3 5 5 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Required to offer 49% 52% 55% 49% 43% 57% 55% 46% Able to refuse 49 40 37 50 54 38 42 45 DK/NA 2 7 8 1 3 5 3 9 Demographic Summary
