Publication date: October 24th, 2024
Written by: Travis N. Taylor PHD
The Center for Excellence in Polling recently surveyed likely voters in Oklahoma on important issues facing the Sooner State. The issues polled ranged from integrity in elections and welfare programs to regulatory approval and prosecutor accountability.
The key takeaway from this poll is that Oklahoma policymakers have overwhelming public support for enacting commonsense reforms designed to protect Oklahoma’s interests in education, elections, investing, welfare, and more.
Oklahoma voters support measures that protect taxpayers and consumers from the dangers of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria in financial decision-making.
78%
…of likely voters support requiring financial advisors to get their clients’ consent before investing in politically driven ESG funds. Support comes from across the political spectrum—81 percent of Democrats, 79 percent of Independents, and 77 percent of Republican voters favor such disclosures.
71%
…of likely voters oppose using taxpayer money to invest in banks and investment funds that make business decisions based on ESG criteria. Although a large majority of Independent voters (66%) oppose politically motivated investing of taxpayer dollars, partisan voters are even more likely to express opposition—74 percent of Democrats and 73 percent of Republicans.
71%
…of likely voters oppose the use of proxy voting companies to make decisions for Oklahoma’s state agencies if they use ESG criteria. Opposition to proxy voting that conflicts with Oklahoma’s interest is highest among Independent (73%) and Republican (72%) voters, although two-thirds of Democrats (68%) are in opposition.
Voters support bringing accountability to local school boards.
84%
…of likely voters support term limits for school board members. Support for bringing fresh ideas to school boards comes from across the political spectrum, with eight in ten Republicans and Democrats and 90 percent of Independents backing the idea.
82%
…of likely voters support holding school board elections on-cycle with other statewide and federal general elections. Concurrent school board elections garner roughly equal levels of support, regardless of a voter’s partisan identification. |
Voters support welfare cross-checks to protect resources for the truly needy.
84%
…of likely voters support cross-checking employment and wage data against welfare rolls at least monthly to ensure welfare recipients are truly qualified for the programs. An overwhelming majority of Republicans (89%) and Independents (86%) express support, while nearly three in four (73%) of Democrats are in favor. |
The bottom line
Oklahoma is a solidly conservative state, and there’s room to grow. Fortunately, policymakers have room to advance growth in these areas of commonsense reforms with support from an overwhelming majority of Oklahoma voters.