Overwhelming support for state investment to ensure health and economic security while also bolstering a fair election
In the wake of Wisconsin’s much-criticized spring elections, a recent poll commissioned by the State Innovation Exchange (SiX) and conducted by TargetSmart shows Wisconsin voters broadly support reforms to safely administer elections, increase the role of the state government, and address health & safety.
Voters Support Steps to Ensure Safe and Accessible Elections
Wisconsin voters strongly believe that the state government has a role to play in safely and fairly administering elections (86%). Voters are split between planning to vote by mail (45%) and vote in-person on Election Day (39%).
Whether or not they are choosing to vote in person or by mail, voters supported policies to ensure the election is safe and accessible for all eligible voters:
- Lengthen the window for early voting and allow voters to cast ballots in person up through the day before Election Day (87%);
- Open additional polling locations to reduce crowds and lines (86%);
- Mail all registered voters applications to vote-by-mail (62%);
- Count mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day, but received after (76%); and
- Immediately notify voters if there is a problem with their mail-in ballot (85%).
The Role of Government in Issues Facing Wisconsin
When asked if the state government should play a role in investing in the health, economic, and overall security of the people, voters overwhelmingly supported government engagement in:
- Safely and fairly administering elections (86%);
- Ensuring equal access to high-quality K-12 education (83%);
- Ensuring struggling families and children have access to food (79%);
- Stopping the spread of the coronavirus (79%);
- Equal pay for equal work (78%); and
- Ensuring access to affordable health care (77%).
Voters Concerned about Pandemic’s Impact on Health & Safety and Support Bold Economic Policies
Almost 6-in-10 Wisconsin voters want the state government to invest in its residents to ensure they are safe, healthy, and economically secure (57%) rather than the state keeping taxes low and cutting funds to key services like education, infrastructure, and unemployment insurance (21%).
Over 1-in-3 Wisconsin respondents reported they have been laid-off or had their hour cut (33%). Voters express grave concerns about small business closures (83%), losing work and income (81%), and being unable to afford rent or mortgage (69%). Wisconsinites also believe businesses should be required to provide safe working conditions or be penalized for negligence if workers get sick (52%).
Given the current crisis, Wisconsinites support policies that will address the economic hardships being faced by many:
- Providing low-interest loans to small businesses to help them make it through the crisis (93%);
- Limiting what drug companies can charge for prescription drugs (89%);
- Offering people in Wisconsin the option to buy into the same public health insurance plans that are available to state employees if they want to (86%);
- Extending the grace period for people to pay health insurance bills before their coverage can be canceled (83%);
- Creating an insurance plan to provide paid family and medical leave for employees (74%); and
- Requiring workplaces to provide paid sick days to their employees (74%).
Click here for more results.