Change Research National Poll: March 26-28, 2020

Key Findings

  • Americans say they want expanded access to affordable healthcare even more than before the coronavirus crisis hit
  • The public broadly supports a national Vote By Mail policy for the 2020 election
  • More voters distrust President Trump than Vice President Pence to provide honest and accurate information about coronavirus.
  • Majorities disapprove of President Trump’s response to coronavirus

Change Research survey 1,845 likely general election voters between March 26-28, 2020 on their thoughts, beliefs, experiences, and policy preferences with respect to the coronavirus crisis. We will track these over time, in this rapidly unfolding and unpredictable situation.

Americans say they want expanded access to affordable healthcare even more than before the coronavirus crisis hit.

In assessing how voters’ priorities have shifted in light of coronavirus, 58% of voters believe expanding affordable healthcare is more important than before the pandemic began. 84% of respondents agree with the following statement (including 80% of Independents and 67% of Republicans): “Tens of thousands of Americans are already sick with the coronavirus and need emergency medical care. This crisis has shown that it is more important than ever to expand affordable healthcare. No one should avoid getting treated because they can’t afford their medical bills.”

Voters are exceptionally supportive of Vote By Mail.

Two-thirds (65%) support nationwide Vote By Mail in the November election so that voters can cast their ballots without risking their health by going to crowded polling places. This support is driven strongly by Democrats (93% support) along with 7 in 10 Independents and 3 in 10 Republicans.

More voters distrust President Trump than distrust Vice President Pence to provide honest and accurate information about coronavirus.

55% of respondents said they don’t trust President Trump “at all” to “give…honest and accurate information about coronavirus” versus 43% who said they don’t trust Vice President Pence “at all.” Medical professionals & scientists are most trustworthy, while cable news is least.

Majorities disapprove of President Trump’s response to coronavirus.

Just 45% of Americans approve of the job President Trump has done in managing the coronavirus crisis, while 55% disapprove. Approval levels are highly partisan, but two other demographic groups show large discrepancies in job approval: young people and those who have had the virus impact them or someone they know.

This crisis is without precedent and circumstances are changing quickly. We will be tracking many of these trends over time as they unfold, and will provide additional insights or recommendations as they surface in our data.

Change Research surveyed 1,845 likely general election voters nationwide from March 26-28. The margin of error as traditionally calculated is ±3.3%. Change Research reaches voters via targeted online ads that point people to an online survey instrument. Our Dynamic Online Sampling establishes and continuously rebalances advertising targets across region, age, gender, race, and partisanship to dynamically deliver large samples that accurately reflect the demographics of a population. Post stratification was done on age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, region, and 2016 presidential vote.

Toplines

Sample & Methodology

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