The Polling Center at Jackson State University’s Institute of Government released a national survey of 1,000 adults that was conducted Dec. 7-13, 2016.
Among the results:
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Nearly 1-in-5 Facebook users “unfriended” over politics
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Majority, 56.4%, say too many Americans rely on biased media for political decisions
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Americans oppose mandatory voting requirements or fines for staying home
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Nearly three-quarters of Americans participated in the 2016 election from posting on social media to watching debates
The latest national poll conducted by the Polling Center surveyed Americans on their participation levels in the 2016 election and views on issues such as mandatory voting.
On Participation in Election 2016
To measure election participation, all respondents were asked to report campaign activities they were involved in during 2016. Over one-half of all those surveyed, 53.7%, indicated they watched one or more presidential election debates.
And, while 28.7% suggested no election participation, one-third (35.8%) said they argued on behalf of a candidate to influence a friend, peer or relative. Others posted or re-posted political messages on social media (19.3%), donated money (12.4%), attended a rally (10.3%) or registered others to vote (10.1%).
Fewer Americans said they put out a yard sign (6.3%), added a bumper sticker to their car (5.7%), volunteered for a candidate(s) (4.7%) or invited neighbors over to meet a candidate (4.4%).
Most of those polled, 56.4%, believe that too many Americans rely on a biased media to form opinions and make participation decisions.
The survey included questions about voting requirements. Just one-quarter, 25.6%, agreed with a statement suggesting a fine for Americans who don’t vote. Another 39.1%, agreed that voting in the U.S. should be mandatory and 32.1% agreed that it is “ethical not to vote.”
Three-quarters, 73.8%, of those surveyed indicated they currently use Facebook. Those with Facebook pages were asked about “unfriending” because of political differences during this recent election. Interestingly:
- 16.0% said they unfriended a Facebook friend
- 6.0% noted they were unfriended by a Facebook friend
- 2.4% indicated they unfriended and they were unfriended by a Facebook friend
- 72.6% said they had not been unfriended or had not unfriended others because of political views
ABOUT THE POLL: The Poll was conducted by The Polling Center at Jackson State University’s Institute of Government. Polling by the Center is conducted on a regular basis and may also include spontaneous polling on occurring events. Click here to see FULL POLL REPORT.
METHODOLOGY: The Poll sampled opinions of 1000 approximately proportional to state population contribution nationwide. The survey was conducted December 7 – 13, 2016. All surveys were conducted using an online survey instrument. The poll has a +/- 3.0 percent margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level on a composite basis.