Publication date: November 7th, 2024
Written by: Sarah Coffey
The Center for Excellence in Polling recently surveyed likely Missouri voters on important issues. Majorities of likely voters in the Show-Me State expressed support for reforms that would protect taxpayer dollars, promote work over welfare, and ensure integrity in elections.
Voters support protecting taxpayers and consumers
Using environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria to invest taxpayer dollars has little support in Missouri. More than three-quarters of likely voters (78%), including a majority of Republicans (75%), Democrats (73%), and Independents (89%), strongly or somewhat oppose investing taxpayer money in banks and investment funds that make business decisions based on their political agenda. Further, 85 percent of Missourians also oppose debanking, the practice of allowing large banks to deny services to customers based on the customers’ political, social, or religious views.
Show-Me State voters favor welfare over work
Likely voters expressed strong support for reforms that would prioritize work requirements in welfare and prohibit universal basic income schemes.
75%
…of likely voters strongly or somewhat support requiring individuals on unemployment to perform at least one meaningful work search activity each business day, including nearly three-quarters of Independents (74%).
69%
…strongly or somewhat support requiring able-bodied adults under 60 years old with no children under six to work, train, or volunteer at least part time as a condition of eligibility for food stamps. Although a majority (58%) of Democratic voters support this reform, support is strongest among Republicans (78%) and Independents (70%).
57%
…strongly or somewhat oppose the government sending regular cash payments to every person without requiring them to work, also known as universal basic income (UBI). Independents are particularly opposed (60%).
Voters support making elections even more secure
Missouri has made significant progress in recent years in securing elections, but voters still support additional reforms that would protect the voting process even more. Most notably, 81 percent of likely voters strongly or somewhat support the creation of a special unit that investigates election law violations. This includes majorities of Republicans (91%), Democrats (76%), and Independents (72%).
Bottom line
Missouri voters support commonsense reforms that could revive work over welfare in the state, protect against ESG and UBI schemes, and bring even greater security to elections. Independents and Republicans are solidly on board for these and other reforms, and significant percentages of Democrats are supportive, too, creating an environment in which lawmakers can confidently implement meaningful, well-supported reforms.