The Polling Center
The Institute of Government
Jackson State University
Fall 2016 – FINAL
The Polling Center at Jackson State University’s Institute of Government needs your help. We are
conducting a survey of Americans on their opinions about the 2016 election, confidence in the
election process and outcome, views on unity in the United States and views on our national systems
such as the military and judicial. Your responses to this important online survey are strictly
confidential. Thank you very much.
Screener
A. Are you currently a resident of the United States and 18 years of age and older?
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Yes (continues)
No (terminate)
Don’t know / Unsure (terminate)
B. What State do you live in?
[Enter state]
The 2016 Election Divide
History
1. Did you vote in the November, 2016 U.S. Presidential election?
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2.
Yes
No (Go to Q3)
Unsure (Go to Q3)
And, how enthusiastic would you say you were to go and vote for President this year?
Would you say…
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Very enthusiastic
Somewhat enthusiastic
Not very enthusiastic
Not at all enthusiastic
Unsure
JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY POLL -- FALL 2016
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The Outcome
3. Please think about the final outcome of the Presidential election. Despite who you may have
supported, please indicate how satisfied you are with the final outcome – the election of
Donald Trump as our 45th President. Would you say you are…
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Very satisfied (continue)
Somewhat satisfied (continue)
Somewhat dissatisfied (Go to Q5)
Not at all satisfied (Go to Q5)
Unsure (Go to Q6)
4. Please indicate the reasons for your satisfaction with the outcome. Please indicate all that
apply.
Code
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Reasons
We needed change
Trump will clean house
Trump is conservative
The U.S. Supreme Court nominees will be more conservative
We will fix immigration / build a wall
The economy will improve
Opposed to the Clintons
Trump will protect the nation and support the military
Clinton is morally offensive
Clinton is a criminal
Trump does not owe anyone anything and can’t be controlled
Trump ran a positive campaign
The systems were rigged against everyday Americans
Trump will fix or replace Obamacare / lower health insurance costs
JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY POLL -- FALL 2016
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Q5 for “Dissatisfied” ONLY – Code 03 or 04 in Q3:
5. Please indicate the reasons for your dissatisfaction with the outcome. Please indicate all
that apply.
Code
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Reasons
Clinton would have lead as a liberal/progressive
Clinton has experience
Clinton would have selected nominees for the U.S. Supreme Court
Dislike Trump / or his positions
Trump is too conservative
Trump is morally offensive
Trump is too wealthy to understand working Americans
Trump is a racist
Clinton ran a positive campaign
Clinton would be best able to improve the economy
Clinton would have been the first female President
Clinton would have protected Obamacare
Trump is not qualified to be President
Please indicate how satisfied you were with some aspects of the Presidential election campaign using
a scale of one to ten where one means very satisfied and ten means not at all satisfied.
Campaign Aspects
6. The overall tone of the
campaigns
7. The length of the
election
8. Civility shown by
Hillary Clinton during the
campaign
9. Civility shown by
Donald Trump during the
campaign
10. Civility shown by
supporters Hillary Clinton
11 Civility shown by
supporters of Donald
Trump during the
campaign
12. Expressions of unity
by both candidates
following the outcome
13.Behavior of Clinton
supporters following the
election results
VS
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NAAS DK
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JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY POLL -- FALL 2016
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Confidence
Please indicate the level of trust and confidence you have in a number of areas of the electoral
process by using a scale of one to ten where one means very strong trust and confidence and ten
means no trust and confidence at all.
Campaign Aspects
14. That the election
was conducted fairly
and honestly with
legitimate results
15. In the Electoral
College
16. In Americans to
make the right decisions
in our elections
17. In the U.S. media to
accurately convey news
without bias
Very
Strong
Trust
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DK
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No
Trust
at All
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Participation in Election 2016
18. Some Americans were active in the 2016 election while others were not. The following are
several ways you may have engaged in the November 2016 election. Which of the following
activities did you participate in this year? Please indicate all that apply.
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Campaign Activities
Invited neighbors over to introduce a candidate or candidate’s campaign
Attended a political rally or event
Volunteered for one or more candidates or a political party
Argued on behalf of a candidate to influence a friend, peer or relative
Donated money to one or more candidates or a political party
Registered others to vote
Watched one or more debates between candidates for Congress or President
Put a bumper sticker on my car for one or more candidates
Put one or more candidate yard signs on my property or in a home window
Posted or re-posted political messages on social media
JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY POLL -- FALL 2016
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The following are a number of statements about participation in our electoral process. Please
indicate, for each, if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree.
Statements
19. Americans who do not vote
should be fined
20. Voting in the U.S. should be
mandatory
21. It’s ethical not to vote
22. Too many Americans rely on a
biased media to form opinions and
make participation decisions
Strongly Somewhat Strongly Strongly
Agree
Agree
Agree
Agree
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Unsure
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23. Do you currently use Facebook?
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Yes
No (Go to Q25)
Unsure (Go to Q25)
24. Over the past year, did your “unfriend” a Facebook friend because your political views differed
or were you “unfriended” by someone else because of your own political views?
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Yes, I unfriended a Facebook friend
Yes, I was unfriended by a Facebook friend
Yes, I was unfriended and I unfriended a Facebook friend
No
Unsure /don’t recall
JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY POLL -- FALL 2016
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A Nation Divided?
America
Many Americans see the nation as hopelessly divided – nearly 50/50 while others see opportunities
and are more hopeful. The following are a number of statements about the direction of the nation.
For each, please indicate if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly
disagree.
Statements
25. I have great pride in the United
States of America
26. Overall, I am more hopeful for
the nation after the results of the
November 2016 election
27. We remain a hopelessly divided
nation following this 2016 election
28. Despite our differences, I can see
ways Americans can unify and better
days ahead for the nation
29. I would be willing to join others
in building bridges with others to
help unify our country
Strongly Somewhat Strongly Strongly
Agree
Agree
Agree
Agree
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Issues
30. What do you think is the most important issues facing the country in 2017? Please indicate
all that apply.
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Jobs and the economy
Healthcare
Education
Government spending and the federal budget deficit
Homeland security and anti-terror policy
Immigration
Foreign affairs
Energy policy
Global climate change
Gun control / Second Amendment rights
Terrorism
Declining U.S. status worldwide
Crime
International trade imbalance
Gun violence
Internet / data security / identity theft
Some other issue
Don’t know / not sure
JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY POLL -- FALL 2016
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Our Systems
The following are a number of systems. While many see some of these systems working well, others
see some of these in need of significant repair. Please use a scale of one to ten to indicate your view
of the current condition of each of these systems. One means the system is working very well
and ten means the system is completely broken.
Systems in America
31. Our political
primaries or the way we
nominate our candidates
for President
32. Our infrastructure
including roads/bridges
33. Our educational
systems
34. The federal
government
35. Our political parties
36. Your own state
government
37 Your own local
government
38. Religion in the
United States (faiths,
churches, synagogues,
mosques)
39. The integrity of our
families
40. The strength of our
communities
41. Capitalism / business
in the US
42. The U.S. economy
43. Employment/wages
44. Public Safety / Police
departments
45. The U.S. Military
46. The U.S. Judicial
System
47. The national news
media
Working
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Well
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Broken
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JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY POLL -- FALL 2016
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Demographics
48. What is your age?
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18-44
45-64
65+
49. Are you Hispanic or Latino?
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Yes (Go to Q51)
No (Continue)
Don’t know / unsure (Continue)
50. Which one of these groups would you say best represents your race?
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White
Black or African-American
Asian
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
American Indian or Alaska Native
Other
51. What is your highest grade of school completed?
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Eighth grade or less
Some high school
High school graduate or GED
Some technical school
Technical school graduate
Some college
College graduate
Post-graduate or professional degree
52. Would you describe where you live most of the year as…
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Rural
Suburban
Urban
Unsure
JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY POLL -- FALL 2016
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53. Please indicate your gender.
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Male
Female
54. In political terms, which one of the following best describes how you typically vote?
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All Republican
Mostly Republican
Mostly Democratic
All Democratic
Independent – split vote between parties
Support some other party
Don’t know / not sure
55. Please tell me which religion you belong to or follow?
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Catholic
Protestant (Baptist, Lutheran, Congregational, Presbyterian)
Christian (non-denominational)
Greek Orthodox
Jewish
Buddhist
Muslim
Latter Day Saint / Mormon
Other
No preference / no religious affiliation
Don’t know / not sure
56. Which of the following best describes your own political philosophy?
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Very conservative
Somewhat conservative
Moderate
Somewhat liberal
Very liberal
Unsure
JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY POLL -- FALL 2016
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57. Which of the following categories best describes your total family income before taxes?
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Under $10,000
$10,000 to less than $40,000
$40,000 to less than $75,000
$75,000 to less than $100,000
$100,000 to less than $150,000
$150,000 to less than $200,000
$200,000 or more
Don’t know / unsure
Thank you very much for your participation in this important survey.
JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY POLL -- FALL 2016
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