Understanding &

Quantifying

June 25-28, 2015

N=2,000 Registered Voters
Margin of Error: +/- 2.2%
#150601

Olive Tree Strategies is pleased to present the key findings

from a national survey of 2,000 registered voters, conducted
June 25-28, 2015.
The survey was conducted using online interviews. The data
were weighted to approximate a national sample of
registered voters based on census division, gender, age,
ethnicity, income, and past voting behavior.
The survey has a margin of error of 2.2% at a 95% level of
confidence.
Trend data is from Gallup surveys, public release found here.
2

A dramatic 37-pt net shift in opinion on flying the

confederate flag over the last 23 years.
As you may know, several Southern states fly some form of the Confederate flag on
top of their state capitol buildings. Do you think [it's all right for these states to fly
the Confederate flag], or do you think [they should stop this practice]?
All right to fly

Stop this practice

80%
70%

55%

60%
50%

55%
46%

+15

-22

40%
30%

44%

40%

33%
20%
10%

App4 Dis
4

App
Dis
December
1992

App

Dis

App

Dis
May
2000

App Dis

App

Dis
June

App Dis

2015

Trend data is from Gallup surveys, public release found here.

3

Majority agreement across ethnicity lines that it is

time to stop flying the Confederate flag.
As you may know, several Southern states fly some form of the Confederate flag on
top of their state capitol buildings. Do you think [it's all right for these states to fly
the Confederate flag], or do you think [they should stop this practice]?
Total & By Ethnicity
All right to fly

Stop this practice

100%

90%

78%

80%
70%

59%

55%

60%

40%

33%

51%

50%

50%

37%

34%

30%
20%

29%

10%

10%
0%
Total

White
(71%)

Black
(13%)

Hispanic
(10%)

Other
(6%)

Broad partisan divide over flying the Confederate

flag in some states.
As you may know, several Southern states fly some form of the Confederate flag on
top of their state capitol buildings. Do you think [it's all right for these states to fly
the Confederate flag], or do you think [they should stop this practice]?
Total & By Party
All right to fly

Stop this practice

100%
90%
80%

69%

70%

55%

60%

51%

50%
40%

34%

33%

30%

49%
39%

21%

20%
10%
0%
Total

DEM
(41%)

IND
(30%)

GOP
(29%)

But, not much generational difference on the issue.

As you may know, several Southern states fly some form of the Confederate flag on
top of their state capitol buildings. Do you think [it's all right for these states to fly
the Confederate flag], or do you think [they should stop this practice]?
Total & By Age
All right to fly

Stop this practice

100%

90%
80%
70%
60%

55%

48%
38%

50%
40%

33%

30%

61%

59%

30%

58%

49%
36%

30%

29%

20%
10%
0%
Total

18-29
(20%)

30-44
(21%)

45-54
(21%)

55-64
(17%)

65+
(21%)

Nation now divided on symbolism of the

Confederate flag.
Do you, yourself, see the Confederate flag more as [a symbol of Southern pride], or
more as [a symbol of racism]?

A symbol of Southern pride

80%

A symbol of racism

69%

70%

59%

60%

44%

50%
40%

43%
30%

28%

20%
10%

App4 Dis
4

22%
App
Dis
December
1992

App

Dis

App

Dis
May
2000

App Dis

App

Dis
June

App Dis

2015

Trend data is from Gallup surveys, public release found here.

7

Ethnic groups more significantly divided over what

the flag symbolizes.
Do you, yourself, see the Confederate flag more as [a symbol of Southern pride], or
more as [a symbol of racism]?
Total & By Ethnicity
A symbol of Southern pride

A symbol of racism

100%

90%

77%

80%
70%
60%
50%

43% 44%

40%

50%

51%

50%
37%

35%

34%

30%

13%

20%
10%
0%
Total

White
(71%)

Black
(13%)

Hispanic
(10%)

Other
(6%)

Two parties are polar opposites in ascribing

symbolism to Confederate flag.
Do you, yourself, see the Confederate flag more as [a symbol of Southern pride], or
more as [a symbol of racism]?
Total & By Party
A symbol of Southern pride

A symbol of racism

100%
90%
80%

64%

70%

64%

60%
50%

47%

43% 44%

38%

40%

25%

30%

23%

20%
10%
0%
Total

DEM
(41%)

IND
(30%)

GOP
(29%)

But, significant age differential. Under-45s see flag

as racism, while those over 45 see Southern pride.
Do you, yourself, see the Confederate flag more as [a symbol of Southern pride], or
more as [a symbol of racism]?
Total & By Age
A symbol of Southern pride

A symbol of racism

100%
90%
80%
70%

59%

60%
50%

43%44%

40%

41%45%

46%
39%

47%
41%

30-44
(21%)

45-54
(21%)

55-64
(17%)

51%
38%

30%

30%
20%
10%
0%
Total

18-29
(20%)

65+
(21%)

10

Nathan Klein
nathan@olivetreestrategies.com