Key findings from a survey of 600 likely voters, conducted September 25-27, 2010

#101098 Glen BolgerGlen@pos.o

rg

Keith FrederickKeith@frederickpoll

s.com

Virginia Statewide Survey ~ September 25-27, 2010 3

Public Opinion Strategies and Frederick Polls are pleased to present the key findings of a statewide telephone survey conducted in Virginia. The survey was completed September 25-27, 2010 among 600 likely voters and has a margin of error of +4.0%.

Glen Bolger and Keith Frederick were the principal researchers on this project. Dave Wilson was the project director, and Bryan Kitz provided analytical support.

Virginia Statewide Survey ~ September 25-27, 2010 5

Strongly Favor33%

Somewhat Favor23%

Somewhat Oppose

15%

Strongly Oppose

20%

DK/Ref9%

“Thinking now about another issue...As you may know, Virginia owns all of the liquor stores in the state. Do you favor or oppose selling the state-owned ABC liquor stores with the revenues to be

dedicated to transportation projects across the state.”

ABC privatization receives solid support.

Total Favor: 57%*Total Oppose: 35%

*Denotes Rounding

Virginia Statewide Survey ~ September 25-27, 2010 6

Base GOP

(19%)

Soft GOP

(20%)

Ind

(22%)

Soft Dem

(18%)

Base Dem

(20%)

62%65%

52%59%

45%

31%28%

36% 37%

46%

Total Favor Total Oppose

A majority of Independents support ABC privatization.

+31% +37% +16% +22% -1%

ABC Privatization by Party

Virginia Statewide Survey ~ September 25-27, 2010 7

Nova

(30%)

Mntn

(11%)

Piedmont

(15%)

Richmond

(12%)

Southside

(12%)

Hampton Roads

(20%)

63%

43%

57% 56%51%

59%

29%

52%

34%31%

42%

35%

Total Favor Total Oppose

Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia voters backABC privatization by wide margins.

ABC Privatization by Region

+34% -9% +23% +25% +9% +24%

Virginia Statewide Survey ~ September 25-27, 2010 8

Very Conservative (21%)

Smwt Conservative

(24%)

Moderate (35%)

Liberal (18%)

62%

55% 55% 55%

26%

38% 38%41%

Total Favor Total Oppose

Privatization is popular across the ideological spectrum.

+36% +17% +17% +14%

ABC Privatization by Ideology

Virginia Statewide Survey ~ September 25-27, 2010 9

Frequently (41%)

Occasionally (21%)

Rarely/Never (36%)

57%60%

55%

36%32%

37%

Total Favor Total Oppose

Level of church attendance does not impact attitudes on this issue.

+21% 28% +18%

ABC Privatization by Church Attendance

Virginia Statewide Survey ~ September 25-27, 2010 10

Drinker (70%)

Non-Drinker

(29%)

Men Drinker

(35%)

Men

Non-Drinker

(13%)

Women Drinker

(35%)

Women Non-Drinker

(16%)

58%55%

59% 61%57%

50%

35% 37% 36% 34% 34%40%

Total Favor Total Oppose

Drinkers and non-drinkers alike support privatization.

+23% +18% +23% +27% +23%

ABC Privatization by Alcohol Use

+10%

Virginia Statewide Survey ~ September 25-27, 2010 12

“Thinking some more about this issue...Now I would like to read you two statements about privatizing the ABC liquor stores in Virginia. Please tell me which one comes closest to your own view…”

A significant majority of voters prefer ending the state’s monopoly on liquor sales to a gasoline tax.

Other people say the one-time revenue increase will not be enough to end the long-term transportation problem in the state. They say that an increase in the gasoline tax is a better solution, as it taxes those who use the roads the most.

…while…

36%

58%Some people say ending the state government’s monopoly on liquor sales will provide a half a billion dollars in new funding for transportation, all without a tax increase. They say privatization makes government smaller, ends an outdated government monopoly, and takes the state out of a business that can be better handled by the free market.

214 North Fayette Street ▪ Alexandria, VA 22314phone (703) 836-7655 ▪ fax (703) 836-8117

www. pos.org

For more information about this presentation or about Public Opinion Strategies, please give us a call.