Publication date: December 7, 2022
Written by: Andrew Welhouse
In the weeks following the 2022 November election, the Center for Excellence in Polling (CEP) surveyed Virginia voters on several challenges Congress and state leaders are likely to face in the coming year. In the survey, several issue areas received substantial support across party lines, and a clear mandate emerged on topics related to voting, public schools, and pro-work reforms.
Virginia voters support election reforms
Of all the issues polled, CEP found the strongest support for reforms that ensure each vote is fairly cast.
78%
…of likely Virginia voters, including 81 percent of Independents, support requiring an individual to be a U.S. citizen to vote in Virginia’s state and local elections.
77%
…of likely Virginia voters support requiring a valid, government-issued photo ID for in-person voting.
69%
…of likely Virginia voters support requiring absentee ballot envelopes to include a valid, government-issued ID number, such as a state ID number or the last four digits of a Social Security number.
Virginia voters support education reforms
CEP found that a significant majority of voters support moving local school board elections to the same election as statewide or federal offices (77 percent), and support public transparency for school curricula (71 percent).
77%
…of likely Virginia voters, including 75 percent of independents, support requiring local school board elections to appear on the same ballot as other general elections for statewide or federal offices.
71%
…support requiring school boards to publicly disclose all proposed school curricula.
Virginia voters support pro-work reforms
CEP found strong support for a range of reforms that will get government out of the way and help Virginians get to work, and they oppose taxpayer dollars being invested according to political agendas.
77%
…of likely Virginia voters support allowing new Virginia residents with active occupational licenses in another state to be granted the same license in Virginia if they pay a licensing fee and pass a background check.
70%
…support requiring all able-bodied adults with no young children at home to work, train, or volunteer for at least 20 hours per week as a condition of eligibility for food stamps.
67%
…oppose taxpayer investment in banks and investment funds that make business decisions based on their political agenda.