Ohio (OH) Poll * September 15, 2009 * Ban Cell Phones While Driving, - Quinnipiac University

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September 15, 2009 - Ban Cell Phones While Driving, Ohio Voters Say 3-1, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Gov's Approval Inches Up Despite Negative Econ Grades

Word format Ohio voters support 75 - 23 percent, including 73 - 26 percent among cell phone owners, banning the use of hand-held cell phones while driving, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Voters also support 89 - 9 percent banning text messaging while driving.
Banning hand-held cell phones while driving would improve safety "a great deal," 49 percent say, while 35 percent say there would be "some" safety improvement, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds.
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland's job approval is up slightly to 48 - 42 percent from 46 - 42 percent July 3. The Democratic incumbent's lead over John Kasich, a likely Republican challenger in the 2010 re-election campaign, is up from 43 - 38 percent to 46 - 36 percent.
But voters disapprove 54 - 33 percent of the way Gov. Strickland is handling the state economy and disapprove 47 - 36 percent of his handling of the state budget.
Voters support legalized casino gambling in Ohio 56 - 37 percent and back gambling initiatives to open casinos in four urban areas and to add video slot machines at racetracks.
"Support for limiting cell phone use while driving has become a motherhood and apple pie issue," said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University polling institute.
"Gov. Ted Strickland's slide has stopped and there is a little upward movement in the public's view of him over the summer, but his numbers remain far below where they were before the state's budget impasse," Brown added.
"While final approval of a budget has helped him in the public's eyes, he still bears some political scars from that prolonged fight."
"The Governor remains weak among independents, with a 37 - 52 percent negative job approval, and even lower grades for his handling of the economy and the state budget," Brown added.
"Strickland's 32 - 53 percent rating in July on handling the state budget has improved to 36 - 47 percent, but still remains a political problem for the governor."
In a 2010 reelection matchup with former Congressman and Fox News host Kasich, Democrats back Strickland 81 - 5 percent while Kasich leads 73 - 15 percent among Republicans and inches ahead 39 - 35 percent among independent voters.
"The Governor's lead stems from his holding more than four in five Democrats, a larger share than Kasich gets among Republicans. But Strickland's potential Achilles heel is independents, who tip to Kasich."
Ohio voters support 58 - 37 percent a November ballot proposal to open gambling casinos in the state's four largest metro areas, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus and Toledo. Democrats support casinos 64 - 32 percent, as do independents 59 - 32 percent, while Republicans are basically split 50 - 48 percent.
Despite support for casinos, 60 percent of Ohio voters say they are not likely or not likely at all to go to a casino.
By a 60 - 34 percent margin, voters support the decision to install 17,500 video slot machines at race tracks around Ohio.
"Gambling opponents, who have beat back previous efforts to bring casinos to Ohio four times, have their work cut out for them if they are to prevail this time," said Brown.
Ohio voters approve 52 - 34 percent of the job U.S. Sen. George Voinovich is doing while Sen. Sherrod Brown gets a 48 - 33 percent approval.
From September 10 - 13, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,074 Ohio voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research. For more data and RSS feed - http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.
3. If the 2010 election for governor were being held today and the candidates were Ted Strickland the Democrat and John Kasich the Republican, for whom would you vote?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Strickland 46% 15% 81% 35% 44% 48% 34% Kasich 36 73 5 39 39 33 51 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 - 1 4 2 2 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 - 1 1 - 1 1 DK/NA 15 11 12 19 15 16 13 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Strickland 43% 47% 58% 53% 47% 36% Kasich 42 33 20 33 34 47 SMONE ELSE(VOL) - 2 2 5 2 2 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 2 - - - DK/NA 14 16 18 9 17 15
TREND: If the 2010 election for governor were being held today and the candidates were Ted Strickland the Democrat and John Kasich the Republican, for whom would you vote?
Sep 15 Jul 3 May 6 Mar 17 Feb 5 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 Strickland 46 43 51 51 56 Kasich 36 38 32 31 26 SMONE ELSE(VOL) 2 2 1 1 1 WLDN'T VOTE(VOL) 1 1 1 2 1 DK/NA 15 16 16 15 16
8. Is your opinion of - Ted Strickland favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Favorable 43% 28% 64% 33% 43% 42% 37% Unfavorable 34 52 15 40 35 33 39 Hvn't hrd enough 20 14 19 24 19 21 19 REFUSED 3 6 1 3 3 4 5 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Favorable 47% 42% 61% 46% 35% 33% Unfavorable 38 34 18 34 32 41 Hvn't hrd enough 12 21 16 21 32 19 REFUSED 3 3 5 - 2 7
TREND: Is your opinion of - Ted Strickland favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?
Sep 15 Jul 3 May 6 Mar 17 Feb 5 Dec 10 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2008 Favorable 43 42 53 54 60 47 Unfavorable 34 37 25 26 19 25 Hvn't hrd enough 20 18 18 17 17 26 REFUSED 3 3 3 3 3 2
9. Is your opinion of - John Kasich favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Favorable 22% 39% 9% 24% 25% 19% 29% Unfavorable 10 5 18 6 15 6 9 Hvn't hrd enough 68 55 72 70 60 74 62 REFUSED - - 1 - - 1 1 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Favorable 39% 16% 12% 32% 18% 20% Unfavorable 24 5 13 2 8 9 Hvn't hrd enough 37 78 74 66 74 71 REFUSED - 1 1 - - -
TREND: Is your opinion of - John Kasich favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?
Sep 15 Jul 3 May 6 Mar 17 Feb 5 Dec 10 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2008 Favorable 22 26 22 21 21 18 Unfavorable 10 7 7 6 6 8 Hvn't hrd enough 68 66 70 71 71 73 REFUSED - 1 1 1 1 1
14. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ted Strickland is handling his job as governor?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 48% 29% 74% 37% 50% 46% 41% Disapprove 42 62 18 52 42 42 47 DK/NA 10 9 8 11 8 12 12 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 51% 46% 60% 49% 46% 42% Disapprove 42 45 24 41 42 47 DK/NA 7 10 16 10 12 11
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ted Strickland is handling his job as governor?
APPROVE..... High Low Sep 15 Jul 3 May 6 Mar 17 Feb 5 Feb 5 Feb 1 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2007 Approve 48 46 57 56 63 63 45 Disapprove 42 42 29 30 25 25 12 DK/NA 10 12 13 13 12 12 43
15. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George Voinovich is handling his job as United States Senator?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 52% 59% 56% 44% 52% 53% 49% Disapprove 34 32 26 43 39 29 37 DK/NA 14 10 17 13 9 18 14 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 52% 55% 54% 61% 48% 46% Disapprove 33 33 34 21 33 43 DK/NA 15 12 12 17 20 11
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George Voinovich is handling his job as United States Senator? (*High also 55% Feb 2009)
APPROVE....... High Low Sep 15 Jul 7 May 6 Mar 18 Feb 4 May 6 Dec 13 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009* 2006 Approve 52 52 55 52 55 55 41 Disapprove 34 29 30 32 29 30 33 DK/NA 14 19 15 16 16 15 26
16. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Sherrod Brown is handling his job as United States Senator?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 48% 34% 64% 42% 42% 52% 38% Disapprove 33 44 20 36 41 26 37 DK/NA 20 23 16 21 17 22 25 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 47% 51% 61% 44% 38% 42% Disapprove 28 36 23 30 38 33 DK/NA 25 13 16 26 24 24
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Sherrod Brown is handling his job as United States Senator?
APPROVE....... High Low Sep 15 Jul 7 May 6 Mar 18 Feb 4 May 6 Jul 7 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 Approve 48 41 52 48 51 52 41 Disapprove 33 29 24 25 22 24 29 DK/NA 20 30 24 27 27 24 30
17. Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 33% 31% 41% 28% 34% 32% 27% Disapprove 48 51 41 54 51 46 53 DK/NA 19 18 19 18 14 22 21 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 35% 36% 29% 25% 26% 36% Disapprove 47 48 41 58 51 48 DK/NA 18 16 30 17 22 16
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way the state legislature is handling its job?
APPROVE....... High Low Sep 15 Jul 3 May 6 Dec 10 Aug 14 Dec 10 Dec 12 2009 2009 2009 2008 2008 2008 2006 Approve 33 31 36 46 42 46 25 Disapprove 48 49 40 35 41 35 55 DK/NA 19 20 24 19 17 19 20
21. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Ohio today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Very satisfied 2% 3% 3% - 3% 1% 1% Smwht satisfied 37 30 48 32 38 37 29 Smwht dissatisfied 35 35 35 36 32 37 37 Very dissatisfied 25 32 13 31 27 24 31 DK/NA 1 - 1 1 1 1 2 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Very satisfied 1% 1% 1% 1% 7% 2% Smwht satisfied 46 32 42 28 41 34 Smwht dissatisfied 34 37 35 41 26 39 Very dissatisfied 19 28 21 29 25 24 DK/NA 1 1 1 2 2 1
TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Ohio today? Are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?
VERY+SMWHT.... High Low Sep 15 Jul 7 May 6 Mar 17 Feb 5 Mar 21 Mar 17 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2007 2009 Very satisfied 2 2 4 2 2 5 2 Smwht satisfied 37 31 39 30 31 49 30 Smwht dissatisfied 35 36 32 39 37 28 39 Very dissatisfied 25 30 24 28 28 16 28 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
22. Do you think that Ted Strickland has kept his campaign promises so far or not?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Yes 37% 28% 55% 26% 40% 34% 28% No 40 52 25 46 39 41 49 DK/NA 23 21 20 28 21 25 23 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Yes 44% 34% 54% 36% 41% 17% No 43 43 23 54 31 44 DK/NA 13 24 23 10 27 39
TREND: Do you think that Ted Strickland has kept his campaign promises so far or not?
YES.......... High Low Sep 15 Jul 3 May 6 Mar 17 Feb 5 Aug 14 Jul 3 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2008 2009 Yes 37 34 44 46 46 47 34 No 40 40 32 30 27 31 40 DK/NA 23 25 24 24 27 22 25
23. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ted Strickland is handling the economy?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 33% 21% 51% 26% 38% 29% 24% Disapprove 54 68 37 64 51 58 64 DK/NA 12 11 12 10 11 13 12 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 30% 30% 54% 35% 38% 27% Disapprove 59 57 36 55 50 58 DK/NA 11 13 10 10 12 16
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ted Strickland is handling the economy?
Sep 15 Jul 3 May 6 Mar 17 Feb 5 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 Approve 33 33 43 39 44 Disapprove 54 53 43 45 37 DK/NA 12 13 15 16 19
25. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ted Strickland is handling the state budget?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 36% 24% 52% 29% 42% 31% 29% Disapprove 47 58 33 53 45 49 53 DK/NA 17 17 15 18 14 20 18 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 40% 33% 53% 31% 34% 29% Disapprove 45 51 30 52 48 51 DK/NA 15 16 17 17 18 20
TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ted Strickland is handling the state budget?
Sep 15 Jul 3 May 6 Mar 17 Feb 5 Dec 11 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2008 Approve 36 32 43 44 48 41 Disapprove 47 53 40 36 30 31 DK/NA 17 15 17 20 21 29
26. In general, do you support or oppose legalized casino gambling in Ohio?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Support 56% 48% 63% 57% 59% 54% 43% Oppose 37 49 31 33 36 39 53 DK/NA 6 3 6 10 5 8 4 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Support 48% 64% 49% 44% 62% 49% Oppose 46 30 42 51 33 41 DK/NA 6 6 9 5 4 10
TREND: In general, do you support or oppose legalized casino gambling in Ohio?
Sep 15 Jul 3 Aug 14 2009 2009 2008 Support 56 60 61 Oppose 37 36 34 DK/NA 6 4 4
27. Voters will be asked to approve a plan that would allow gambling casinos to be built in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo. Do you support or oppose allowing casinos to be built in those four cities?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Support 58% 50% 64% 59% 60% 55% 44% Oppose 37 48 32 32 35 39 51 DK/NA 5 3 4 9 5 6 5 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Support 54% 64% 48% 42% 66% 49% Oppose 43 31 44 50 32 42 DK/NA 3 6 8 8 2 9
TREND: Voters will be asked to approve a plan that would allow gambling casinos to be built in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo. Do you support or oppose allowing casinos to be built in those four cities? (*Voters "may" be asked)
Sep 15 Jul 3 2009 2009* Support 58 61 Oppose 37 35 DK/NA 5 3
28. If the gambling casinos are approved, how likely do you think it is that you would go to one of them - very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not likely at all?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Very likely 20% 20% 21% 18% 19% 20% 13% Smwht likely 21 15 22 23 24 17 16 Not too likely 14 13 14 16 15 13 11 Not likely at all 46 52 43 43 41 50 61 DK/NA - - - - - - - Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Very likely 16% 22% 22% 10% 26% 12% Smwht likely 16 24 15 13 17 29 Not too likely 18 11 10 16 18 13 Not likely at all 50 42 53 62 39 46 DK/NA - - - - - -
TREND: If the gambling casinos are approved, how likely do you think it is that you would go to one of them - very likely, somewhat likely, not too likely, or not likely at all?
Sep 15 Jul 3 2009 2009 Very likely 20 20 Somewhat likely 21 21 Not too likely 14 16 Not likely at all 46 43 DK/NA - -
29. As you may know, the state budget passed this summer by the legislature and signed by the governor allows for up to 17,500 electronic slot machines - sometimes called video lottery terminals - to be installed at Ohio's seven horse race tracks. Do you approve or disapprove of the plan to add these gambling devices?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Approve 60% 53% 68% 60% 65% 56% 44% Disapprove 34 43 28 31 32 36 52 DK/NA 6 4 4 9 3 8 5 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Approve 55% 64% 62% 40% 65% 59% Disapprove 39 30 30 53 30 36 DK/NA 5 6 8 7 5 4
30. Have you ever been to one of Ohio's horserace tracks?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl Yes 45% 40% 46% 48% 48% 43% 36% No 54 60 54 52 52 57 64 DK/NA - - - - - - - Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt Yes 51% 48% 51% 18% 54% 26% No 48 52 49 81 46 74 DK/NA 1 - - 1 - -
TREND: Have you ever been to one of Ohio's horserace tracks?
Sep 15 Jul 3 2009 2009 Yes 45 49 No 54 51 DK/NA - -
31. Would having electronic slot machines make it more likely that you would go to a horserace track in Ohio, less likely, or wouldn't it make a difference?
WtBrnAgn Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Evnglcl More likely 9% 9% 11% 7% 11% 8% 10% Less likely 12 16 12 8 11 13 19 Wouldn't make diff 78 74 77 84 77 78 70 DK/NA - 1 - - - - 1 Cntrl NrthE NrthW SthE SthW WstCnt More likely 11% 12% 11% 11% 7% 1% Less likely 13 11 13 18 15 11 Wouldn't make diff 75 77 76 72 77 87 DK/NA 1 - 1 - - -
32. Do you currently own a cell phone?
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes 80% 83% 76% 84% 77% 83% No 20 17 24 16 23 17 DK/NA - - - - - -
33. (If Yes q32) How often do you use a cell phone while driving a car - very often, sometimes, rarely, or never?
YES Q32................................ Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Very often 10% 14% 6% 10% 13% 7% Sometimes 25 24 28 20 29 21 Rarely 40 36 40 44 38 41 Never 25 26 26 25 20 30 DK/NA - - - - - -
34. There is a proposal in the state legislature to prohibit the use of hand- held cell phones while driving. Do you support or oppose making it illegal to use hand-held cell phones while driving?
Cell Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Owners Support 75% 68% 81% 75% 71% 80% 73% Oppose 23 31 19 22 28 19 26 DK/NA 1 1 1 2 1 2 2
35. Would you support or oppose a bill banning text messaging while driving?
Cell Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Owners Support 89% 84% 92% 89% 85% 92% 89% Oppose 9 14 8 8 12 7 9 DK/NA 2 2 1 3 3 - 2
36. How much do you think prohibiting the use of hand-held cell phones while driving would do to make the roads and highways in Ohio safer - a great deal, some, not much, or nothing at all?
Cell Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Owners A great deal 49% 45% 56% 44% 44% 53% 46% Some 35 34 32 42 38 33 37 Not much 12 15 9 10 14 9 13 Nothing at all 4 6 3 4 4 4 4 DK/NA - - - - - - -