In a recent poll commissioned by the State Innovation Exchange (SiX) and conducted by TargetSmart, Missippians expressed a strong desire for bold policy action by the state government to address the impact of COVID on the economy and election safety and accessibility.
Voters Concerned about COVID Impact on Health and Strongly Support Bold Economic Policies
Mississippi voters want state governments to invest in its residents to ensure they are safe, healthy, and economically secure (55%) rather than the state keeping taxes low and cutting funds to key services like education, infrastructure, and unemployment insurance (19%).
Nearly 2-in-5 Mississippi respondents reported they have been laid-off or had their hour cut (39%). Voters express grave concerns about small business closures (87%) and losing work and income (90%). Mississippians 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, Mississippians 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 (97%);
- Extending the grace period for people to pay health insurance bills before their coverage can be canceled (93%);
- Offering people in Mississippi the option to buy into the same public health insurance plans that are available to state employees if they want to (91%);
- Limiting what drug companies can charge for prescription drugs (90%);
- Creating an insurance plan to provide paid family and medical leave for employees (88%); and
- Requiring workplaces to provide paid sick days to their employees (83%).
Voters Support Steps to Ensure Safe and Accessible Elections
Mississippi voters overwhelmingly believe that the state government has a role to play in safely and fairly administering elections (92%). An overwhelming majority of Mississippians plan to vote in-person on Election Day (80%) because alternatives are limited, even during the pandemic..
Missippians support policies to ensure the election is accessible for all eligible voters and want voters have a range of safe options when registering and casting their ballots:
- Allow eligible voters to register to online (63%);
- Allow eligible voters to register to vote on Election Day (61%);
- Open additional polling locations to reduce crowds and lines (86%);
- Lengthen the window for early voting and allow voters to cast ballots in person up through the day before Election Day (78%);
- Allow any registered Mississippi voter to vote by mail (63%); and
- Mail all registered voters applications to vote-by-mail (54%).
The Role of Government in Issues Facing Mississippi
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 (92%);
- Ensuring equal access to high-quality K-12 education (88%);
- Ensuring struggling families and children have access to food (88%);
- Stopping the spread of the coronavirus (85%);
- Equal pay for equal work (84%); and
- Ensuring access to affordable health care (79%).
Click here for more results.