New York State (NY) Poll * July 29, 2010 * New York State Voters Split On - Quinnipiac University

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July 29, 2010 - New York State Voters Split On Arizona Immigration Law, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Enforcement, Not Integration, Is Key, Voters Say

Word format New York State voters are divided on Arizona's new immigration law, as 41 percent approve and 43 percent disapprove of the law, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
Approval is 69 - 17 percent among Republicans and 45 - 39 percent among independent voters, while Democrats disapprove 64 - 22 percent, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe- ack) University poll finds. Men lean to approval by a narrow 47 - 44 percent, while women disapprove 43 - 36 percent.
By a broader 50 - 37 percent margin, voters do not want New York State to adopt a law like Arizona's as independent voters shift to 46 - 38 percent against such a move.
Immigration reform should focus on stricter enforcement of laws against illegal immigrants, 58 percent of New York State voters say, while 32 percent say reform should focus on integrating immigrants into society. Here there is no gender split as women back enforcement 60 - 30 percent, while men want enforcement 57 - 35 percent.
"On immigration, New Yorkers endorse enforcement over integration as the priority. But they're split on the Arizona law. Two-thirds of Republicans like it; two-thirds of Democrats don't," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.
"A slim majority oppose New York's adoption of a law like Arizona's.
"Women voters don't like the Arizona law, but they do support enforcement over integration 2-1."
New York State voters say 53 - 34 percent that Arizona's law will lead to discrimination against Hispanics. But boycotting Arizona because of the new immigration law is a bad idea, voters say 73 - 16 percent.
Voters also say 50 - 38 percent the Obama Administration's lawsuit to strike down the Arizona law is a bad idea. Democrats back the lawsuit 65 - 22 percent, but independent voters oppose it 58 - 29 percent, joining Republicans who oppose the lawsuit 82 - 10 percent.
President Barack Obama's job approval rating hits a new low in New York State, 53 - 41 percent, compared to 55 - 39 percent June 22. Independent voters split 48 - 45 percent, virtually unchanged from last month.
"With overwhelming 82 - 12 percent approval from Democrats, President Barack Obama's job approval stays on the positive side in this bluer-than-blue state," Carroll said.
"But voters don't think the Obama Administration's legal challenge to the Arizona law is a good idea. Again there's the political split: Overwhelmingly, Republicans think the lawsuit is a bad idea; by a lesser margin, but still heavily, Democrats like it.
"There's little support from New Yorkers for trying to punish Arizona. A boycott is a bad idea, say three-fourths of voters."
From July 20 - 26, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,165 New York State registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and nationwide as a public service and for research. For more data or RSS feed- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter.
12. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 53% 18% 82% 48% 51% 54% Disapprove 41 79 12 45 45 38 DK/NA 6 3 6 7 4 8
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President?
APPROVE...... High Low Jul 29 Jun 22 Apr 13 Feb 3 Dec 15 Feb 19 Jul 29 2010 2010 2010 2010 2009 2009 2010 Approve 53 55 62 57 59 72 53 Disapprove 41 39 33 38 36 17 41 DK/NA 6 6 5 5 5 10 6
24. Do you think immigration reform should primarily move in the direction of integrating illegal immigrants into American society or in the direction of stricter enforcement of laws against illegal immigration?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Integrating 32% 10% 50% 29% 35% 30% Enforcement 58 84 41 61 57 60 DK/NA 9 6 10 10 8 11 UpStat NYC Suburbs Integrating 20% 48% 28% Enforcement 72 41 62 DK/NA 8 11 9
TREND: Do you think immigration reform should primarily move in the direction of integrating illegal immigrants into American society or in the direction of stricter enforcement of laws against illegal immigration?
Jul 29 Dec 17 2010 2007 Integrating 32 34 Enforcement 58 55 DK/NA 9 11
25. Based on what you've heard or read, do you approve or disapprove of Arizona's new immigration law?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Approve 41% 69% 22% 45% 47% 36% Disapprove 43 17 64 39 44 43 DK/NA 16 14 14 16 9 21 UpStat NYC Suburbs Approve 44% 31% 52% Disapprove 33 60 35 DK/NA 23 9 13
26. Would you want New York State to pass a law similar to Arizona's new immigration law or not?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 37% 66% 18% 38% 41% 33% No 50 24 69 46 51 49 DK/NA 13 10 13 15 8 18 UpStat NYC Suburbs Yes 41% 25% 48% No 42 65 40 DK/NA 17 10 12
27. Do you think Arizona's new immigration law will or will not lead to discrimination against Hispanics?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Will lead 53% 29% 72% 47% 50% 56% Will not 34 62 15 38 41 28 DK/NA 13 9 13 14 8 16 UpStat NYC Suburbs Will lead 50% 64% 43% Will not 36 25 45 DK/NA 14 12 13
28. Some have suggested that Arizona should be boycotted because of its new immigration law. Do you think a boycott of Arizona is a good idea or a bad idea?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Good idea 16% 6% 29% 7% 17% 14% Bad idea 73 91 57 78 77 70 DK/NA 11 3 14 15 6 16 UpStat NYC Suburbs Good idea 10% 28% 6% Bad idea 78 61 84 DK/NA 12 12 10
29. The Obama administration has filed a lawsuit to strike down Arizona's immigration law. Do you think this lawsuit is a good idea or a bad idea?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Good idea 38% 10% 65% 29% 40% 37% Bad idea 50 82 22 58 55 45 DK/NA 12 8 13 13 5 18 UpStat NYC Suburbs Good idea 27% 55% 32% Bad idea 61 32 58 DK/NA 12 13 10