Opportunities for Wins and Boosted Perceptions at the Legislature
PHOENIX (January 17th, 2023)- In the first Utah Public Opinion Pulse (UTPOP) survey of 2023, OH Predictive Insights’ (OHPI) asked Utah voters a battery of questions to check the temperature of the state’s current political climate. According to the survey, Governor Spencer Cox enjoys high favorability as Utah kicks off its 2023 legislative session.
This UTPOP, the first of four quarterly surveys in 2023, was conducted December 27th, 2022 – January 4th, 2023. This UTPOP surveyed 600 Utah registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 4.0%.
The UTPOP poll found 6 in 10 Utah voters with a favorable opinion of Utah’s current Governor, Spencer Cox; the Governor is enjoying a 2:1 ratio of favorable to unfavorable ratings. Of all the names tested in the survey, Cox held the most positive image among voters.
“Popularity heading into this year’s legislative session in Utah is a good place to be for the Governor,” said Mike Noble, OHPI Chief of Research.
The Utah State Legislature and Spencer Cox both have positive favorable marks from voters, however, much of that support is soft.
“With Utah’s legislative session now in action, there is an opportunity for the Legislature and the Governor to leverage their positive ratings with voters to secure wins with some of the top issues facing the electorate, while simultaneously boosting the perceptions of the two entities to harden some of that soft support,” said Mike Noble.
The survey found that a majority of voters believe Utah is on the right track by a net of 20 points with 40% saying the state is going in the wrong direction. Disparity is seen among gender on this topic; males are much more optimistic of the trajectory of state (70% right track, 30% wrong direction), whereas females are evenly split in their opinion (51% right track, 49% wrong direction). When looking at the top three issues most important to Utah voters by their outlook on the state, a majority on each issue (Jobs/Economy, Health Care, and Education) are optimistic on Utah’s direction.
This UTPOP poll tested support for four key issues potentially reaching the legislature during the 2023 session. All four potential legislative items received majority support from Utah voters. Considering that all of the legislative items tested in the survey could be categorized into one or more of the top three issues voters say are facing the state, the minimal opposition to each is, perhaps, unsurprising to see.
“The data points to a clear path for gaining more support and positive perceptions from Utah voters as the legislative session commences,” said Noble. “Pushing for wins on the key issues that most voters support will show the efforts that the Utah State Legislature and Governor Cox are making to address Utah voters’ most pressing concerns facing the state.”
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Methodology: This poll was conducted as an online opt-in panel survey. The survey was completed by O.H. Predictive Insights from December 27th, 2022 – January 4th, 2023 from a Utah Statewide Registered Voter sample. The sample demographics were weighted to accurately reflect gender, region, age, party affiliation, ethnicity, and education. The sample size was 600 completed surveys, with a MoE of ± 4.0%. Numbers may not equal 100% due to rounding.
Media Contacts:
Veronica Sutliff, OH Predictive Insights, v.sutliff@ohpredictive.com, (602) 390-5248
Mike Noble, OH Predictive Insights, m.noble@ohpredictive.com, (480) 313-1837
About OH Predictive Insights: As a non-partisan public opinion polling, market research, and data analytics firm, OH Predictive Insights provides accurate polling, focus groups, data analytics, and advanced targeted marketing to political and non-political clients alike. With leading professionals in the advertising, communication, polling, and political arenas, OH Predictive Insights serves political and non-political clients looking to improve their footing with key stakeholders and consumers. For more information, please call (602) 362-5694 or submit a request online at OHPredictive.com.
About the UTPOP: The Utah Public Opinion Pulse (UTPOP) survey is a statewide survey of a base sample of 800 – 1,000 general population state residents (18+ YO) with a statistically significant sample size of registered and likely voters included. Deploying surveys on a quarterly basis, we are able to gauge and keep an accurate and consistent pulse on the perceptions, opinions, and future decisions of state residents on a number of relevant issues and pressing topics for corporate and political insights. With statewide Public Opinion Pulses also conducted in Nevada and Arizona in addition to Utah, our surveys allow data-seekers to look through the 3 unique lenses of general population residents, registered voters, and likely voters in each state for insights most relevant to them. To learn more about our statewide public opinion surveys and for information on how to purchase customized questions to add to our surveys, click here.