For Immediate Release Contact: John Sewell

October 2, 2018 601-974-1019

Millsaps-Chism State of the State Survey:

Voters Call for Political Compromise, Support Lottery Law
Forged During Special Session
Infrastructure Repair Remains Top Policy Priority for Mississippians

JACKSON—Mississippians are calling on political leaders to compromise in order to get

things done and have responded favorably to the outcome of the recent special session of
the Mississippi Legislature that produced a new state lottery law with funds mainly
targeted towards road and bridge repair. Observing the progress made during the special
session, voters have rewarded the legislative branch of state government with its highest
approval rating in five quarters of polling by Millsaps College and Chism Strategies.
Despite the new funding source for infrastructure work, Mississippi voters continue to
rate fixing the state’s roads and bridges as the most important policy priority for
lawmakers.

The fifth in a series of quarterly surveys, the Millsaps College/Chism Strategies State of
the State Survey finds that 64% of voters want their political leaders to compromise and
get things done at the expense of sticking to their beliefs, even if little gets done. Voter
enthusiasm for political compromise can be seen in the high levels of support for the
recently enacted lottery bill that will direct most of the funds raised to repairing roads and
bridges, a measure supported by nearly 70% of the Mississippi electorate. Considering
the importance of infrastructure to the electorate, 27% of voters say that fixing roads and
bridges should be the top priority for the state’s elected leaders. When asked how they
would prefer supplementing the eventual infrastructure revenue raised by the lottery, 25%
of voters favor repealing recently enacted corporate tax breaks, 14% back building toll
roads, 14% favor raising state income tax rates for higher wage earners, 12% back raising
the state gas tax, and another 7% favor bringing back a vehicle registration fee.

“The message from the voters is rather clear: they like what they saw during the special
session where leaders from across the spectrum came together, compromised, and figured
out a way to find a new source of revenue for infrastructure,” said Dr. Nathan Shrader,
assistant professor of political science and director of American Studies at Millsaps
College. “The question is whether the state’s political leaders can continue to
demonstrate their ability to work on problems in a way that the voters perceive to be

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constructive and beneficial to the entire state. Although they still aren’t extremely
popular with the voters, the Mississippi Legislature saw a 10-point improvement in its
approval rating since July. That is a significant improvement, likely driven by voters who
were glad to see them break through the gridlock at the Capitol.”

Other key findings from the Millsaps College-Chism Strategies State of the State Survey:

Voter Enthusiasm, Trust in Government, Civility in Politics

• Only 50% of Mississippi voters are enthusiastic about voting in the upcoming
November midterm elections while 43% are either somewhat enthusiastic or not
enthusiastic at all.
• Voters are split on which level of government they find the most capable and
trustworthy of solving problems. 28% of Mississippians find state government the
most capable and trustworthy, 28% believe the same of local government, and
19% think this way of the federal government.
• 62% of voters say that the level of civility in national politics is getting worse,
compared to 39% who say that the level of civility in Mississippi politics is
worsening.

Elected Official Ratings

• 50% of voters approve of Governor Phil Bryant, while 34% disapprove.
• 37% approve of Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves, while 32% disapprove.
• Attorney General Jim Hood has a 50% approval rating, while 27% disapprove of
him.
• State Auditor Shad White remains largely unknown, as 58% are unsure of him.
27% approve of White, while 15% disapprove.
• State Representative Jay Hughes—a declared candidate for lieutenant governor in
2019—has an approval rating of 26%. 16% disapprove of Hughes, while 58% are
unsure.
• President Donald J. Trump’s approval rating in Mississippi is 51%, with 43%
disapproving of him.
• 32% approve of the Mississippi Legislature, while 34% disapprove. This
represents a 10% increase in approval since the July 2018 State of the State
Survey.

Policy Priorities
• 27% say that fixing the state’s roads and bridges should be the top priority for
state officials. This is the fifth consecutive quarter in which this has ranked as the
top policy priority for Mississippi voters.
• More funding for public schools (20%) and making healthcare more affordable
and accessible (18%) were the second and third highest ranking policy priorities.

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“We are pleased to continue this survey series with Millsaps,” said Brad Chism, president
of Chism Strategies. “The College is making a positive impact on public policy
discussions in Mississippi. Elected leaders have a much clearer picture of what the voters
actually want.”

The survey was conducted September 15-16. The sample size of 640 with 65% of
interviews conducted via landline and 35% via cell phone. The survey has a Margin of
Error of +/-3.86 %. Results were weighted to reflect likely 2018 general election turnout
for age, race, gender, and partisanship.

-30-

Attached:
A) Summary Analysis
B) Survey Results
Millsaps College/Chism Strategies State of the State Survey
Summary of Findings: October 1, 2018

➢ Uptick in Optimism About Direction of the State. A growing share of Mississippi

voters believe that the state is heading in the right direction, a view held by 43% of the
electorate as compared to 30% who say that the state is heading in the wrong direction.
The 13% net right direction figure is a significant change from the -3% net wrong
direction figure during the first State of the State Survey last September and the
strongest net right direction rating measured in the first five surveys. The rather large
change in the directional assessment provided by the voters in July and the one given
now could be attributed to public support for the work done in the Special Session of
the legislature, which occurred following the July State of the State Survey.

➢ Partisan and Racial Divisions Over Direction of State. Despite the more positive
assessment about the state’s direction between July and September, divisions remain
within the Mississippi electorate regarding the state’s general direction. For example,
57% of white voters say that the state his heading in the right direction while just 24%
of black voters agree. Republicans are considerably more likely than Democrats to
say that the state is heading in the right direction with 72% of Strong Republicans and
57% of Republican Leaners viewing the state’s direction in a positive light.
Meanwhile, just 17% of Strong Democrats and 26% of Democratic Leaners would
agree, as would 38% of Independents. Additionally, 54% of men say that the state is
heading in the right direction as opposed to 43% of women.

Do you believe that Mississippi is headed in the right

direction or the wrong direction?
Net
Right Wrong Right/Wrong
Date of Poll Direction Direction Unsure Direction
Sep-17 37% 40% 23% -3%
Jan-18 42% 36% 22% +6%
Apr-18 44% 37% 20% +7%
Jul-18 35% 29% 37% +6%
Sept-18 43% 30% 27% +13%

➢ Broad Support for the Lottery. The Mississippi Legislature completed a Special
Session on transportation called by Governor Phil Bryant in late August. One of the
primary pieces of legislation produced by the Special Session was a bill creating a
state lottery, bringing Mississippi into alignment with about 44 other states that
already have a lottery on the books. The bulk of the funds raised by the eventual
lottery will be directed towards repairing the state’s roads and bridges. This new law is
extremely popular with the public, as nearly 70% of Mississippi voters support the
 creation of a state lottery with most of the funds being directed to infrastructure repair.
Only 18% oppose the new measure.
Support for the lottery plan resonates with Mississippians across the board. Voters of
all age ranges back the plan by wide margins, especially voters 18 to 34 (+75%), 35 to
44 (+54%), and 45 to 54 (+53%). Both white and black voters support the measure by
nearly equal proportions at +50 and +49, respectively as do male (+58%) and female
(+42%) voters as well as voters of all educational backgrounds. Support also cuts
across the partisan divide with high levels of support among Strong Republicans
(+49%), Republican Leaners (+60%), Strong Democrats (+44%), Democratic Leaners
(+35%), and Independents (+48%).

➢ Legislature Gets Better Marks After Special Session. The September 2018 Millsaps
College/Chism Strategies State of the State Survey is the fifth quarterly poll in which
we asked Mississippi voters to determine whether they approve or disapprove of the
work being done by the State Legislature. Just several weeks after the completion of
the Special Session on transportation we find the highest overall approval rating to
date for the legislative branch of state government at 32%. With that said, the State
Legislature’s approval rating is still slightly underwater as 34% disapprove of them
collectively for a net approve/disapprove rating of -2%. It must be noted, however,
that this is a substantial improvement since the July State of the State Survey in which
just 22% approved of the legislature’s work, marking a 10% increase in a short period
of time which also corresponds with a bump in their net approve/disapprove rating
from -12% to -2%.

Mississippi State Legislature Approval Rating

Net
Approve/
Date of Poll Approve Disapprove Unsure Disapprove
Sep-17 27% 45% 28% -18%
Jan-18 26% 38% 36% -12%
Apr-18 30% 41% 26% -11%
Jul-18 22% 35% 43% -12%
Sept-18 32% 34% 34% -2%

There are some inconsistencies in how certain segments of the state’s electorate
perceives the State Legislature. The legislative branch remains considerably more
popular among voters 55 to 64 (+8%) and those 65 and older (+10%) than among
those 18 to 34 (+4%), 35 to 44 (-20%), and 45 to 55 (-1%). There are also clear
divisions along racial lines regarding legislative approval, as white voters are
considerably more likely to approve of the legislature’s performance (+12%) than
black voters in the state (-22%). Similarly, a sharp partisan divide is also apparent with
Democrats and Independents tending to disapprove of the legislature’s efforts while
Republicans like what they see from the legislative branch. Strong Democrats (-32%),
 Democratic Leaners (-35%), and Independents (-9%) are far less likely than Strong
Republicans (+35%) and Republican Leaners (+15%) to approve of the legislature.

➢ Voters Continue to Want More Funding for Infrastructure. Despite strong

support for the lottery law that emerged from the recent Special Session, an increasing
optimism about the direction of the state, and gradually improving perceptions of the
State Legislature as a whole, Mississippi voters also recognize that more funding and
support from the state is likely needed for sufficient road, bridge, and general
infrastructure upkeep. A study by the Mississippi Economic Council projected that the
state likely needs $375 million annually for required road and bridge repairs. Based on
revenue projections, the new lottery is likely to generate about 20% of the funds
needed after a year or two of operation1. While a slight plurality of Mississippi voters
(28%) are unsure about which option they would most like to turn to for additional
funding, a quarter of respondents say that they favor repealing corporate tax breaks
that have been enacted over the past several years by the legislature and governor.
Another 14% favor increasing income taxes for higher wage earners, 14% also back
building toll roads in some parts of the state, and 12% back raising the state gasoline
tax, which has not been raised since 1989. 2 Just 7% favor bringing back a vehicle
registration fee to pay for additional road and bridge upkeep.

Overall, Strong Democrats (38%), Democratic Leaners (37%), and Independents

(30%) favor repealing the recent corporate tax breaks as their preferred mechanism for
raising additional infrastructure revenue while Republicans are less united around a
specific approach. 18% of Strong Republicans prefer building toll roads in some parts
of the state as 18% of Republican Leaners would prefer raising the state gasoline tax
instead. These figures show that the voting public recognizes that some actions have
been taken to address the issue they continuously say is their top policy priority and
have responded favorably to those initiatives. Still, many Mississippi voters are open
to additional legislative efforts to provide funding for roads, bridges, and infrastructure
repair in Mississippi.

➢ Road and Bridge Repairs Top Priority for 6th Consecutive Quarterly Survey.
Mississippi voters continue to say that fixing the state’s roads and bridges is their top
policy priority for the fifth consecutive quarter. Despite the state’s conservative
political leanings, a combined 68% of respondents say that fixing roads and bridges,
more funding for public schools, making healthcare more accessible and affordable,
and more funding for universities and community colleges are their top priorities. 36%
of male and 26% of female voters say that fixing the state’s roads and bridges is their
top policy priority, although women within the electorate were considerably more

1
Harris, Bracey. “Senate passes lottery bill that would keep all records private from public review.”
Clarion Ledger, August 24, 2018.
https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2018/08/23/mississippi-senate-approves-
lottery/1074799002/
2
“How Long Has It Been Since Your State Raised Its Gas Tax?” Institute on Taxation and Economic
Policy, May 22, 2018. https://itep.org/how-long-has-it-been-since-your-state-raised-its-gas-tax-0518/
 likely to say that making healthcare more accessible and affordable (21%) was a
priority than their male counterparts (11%).

Repairing roads and bridges was also the top priority of the plurality of most voters
when broken down by partisanship. 30% of Strong Republicans, 37% of Republican
Leaners, 28% of Independents, and 30% of Strong Democrats all agreed that fixing
roads and bridges was the most important issue for them in state politics while 28% of
Democratic Leaners say that they want more funding for public schools. Support for
fixing roads and bridges was also prevalent among both white and black voters, with
28% of black voters and 29% of white voters reporting that this was their top priority.

What should be the top priority for Mississippi’s elected leaders

working in Jackson?
12
17- 18- 18- 18- 18-
Policy Priority Month
Sep Jan Apr Jul Sep
Avg.
Reducing the size of state government 16% 11% 12% 8% 12% 12%
Fixing roads and bridges 27% 23% 29% 25% 27% 26%
Giving tax incentives and grants for
13% 10% 9% 12% 8% 10%
companies that create jobs
Making healthcare more accessible and
14% 21% 14% 18% 18% 17%
affordable
More funding for public schools 14% 19% 20% 22% 20% 19%
More funding for universities and
3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3%
community colleges
Protecting traditional family values 6% 7% 11% 8% 8% 8%
Other 7% 6% 2% 4% 4% 5%

➢ Bryant Approval Ratings Dip Slightly But Remain Strong. The September
Millsaps College/Chism Strategies State of the State Survey finds that Governor Phil
Bryant remains a popular figure in the state. 50% of Mississippi voters approve of
Governor Bryant while just 34% disapprove. The governor enjoys a particularly strong
approval rating among those 65 and older (+33%), voters 55 to 64 (+24%), and voters
18 to 34 (+20%). He is also very popular among white voters (+50%), male voters
(+29%), two-year college graduates (+48%), four-year college graduates (+36%),
Strong Republicans (+78%), and Republican Leaners (+62%). Support for Bryant
diminishes among certain segments of the electorate including Strong Democrats (-
51%), Democratic Leaners (-45%), voters with advanced degrees (-5%), and black
voters (-38%).
Governor Bryant has been assessed in three separate State of the State Surveys.
Overall, his approval rating has remained considerably ahead of his disapproval rating.
 His net approval rating has gradually diminished over the course of the past year from
a high of +21 in September 27 to +16 in the most recent survey of Mississippi voters.

Do you approve or disapprove of Governor Phil

Bryant?
Net
Date of Poll Approve Disapprove Unsure Approval
Sep-17 54% 33% 13% +21%
Apr-18 54% 35% 11% +19%
Sept-18 50% 34% 16% +16%

➢ Lt. Governor Continues to Trail Other State Leaders in Approval Ratings.

Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves remains a somewhat undefined figure despite years
of exposure to Mississippi voters. Covered in three separate Millsaps College/Chism
Strategies State of the State Surveys, Reeves has seen a consistent net approval rating
between +4 and +6. The September 2018 survey finds that Reeves is popular among
white voters (+26), voters 18 to 34 (+31%), two-year college graduates (+27%), those
with less than a high school degree (+22%), Strong Republicans (+49%), and
Republican Leaners (+24%). Reeves is considerably less popular among black voters
(-29%), voters with an advanced degree (-26%), Strong Democrats (-41%), and
Democratic Leaners (-37%).

Do you approve or disapprove of Lieutenant Governor

Tate Reeves?
Net
Date of Poll Approve Disapprove Unsure Approval
Sep-17 38% 32% 29% +6
Apr-18 38% 34% 27% +4
Sept-18 37% 32% 31% +5

➢ Attorney General Remains State’s Most Popular Elected Official. Jim Hood
enjoys broad support from various segments of the Mississippi electorate and has the
highest overall net approval rating among any elected officials analyzed in the
September State of the State Survey at +23%. Mississippi voters appear to be largely
divided when it comes to questions of politics and policy but are generally united in
approving of Hood. The sitting Attorney General finds approval among female voters
(+30%), male voters (+19%), black voters (+26%), white voters (+21%), those with
less than a high school degree (+50%), those with advanced degrees (+36%), high
school graduates (+26%), four year graduates (+23%), Democratic Leaners (+53%),
Strong Democrats (+29%), Independents (+28%), Republican Leaners (+21%), and
Strong Republicans (+15%).
 Do you approve or disapprove of Attorney General Jim
Hood?
Net
Date of Poll Approve Disapprove Unsure Approval
Sep-17 52% 25% 22% +27%
Apr-18 55% 25% 17% +30%
Sept-18 50% 27% 24% +23%

➢ New State Auditor Still Not Widely Known. Shad White was appointed to the
position of State Auditor, effective July 17, 2018. Despite having never sought public
office as a candidate, White currently has an approval rating of 27% compared to 15%
who disapprove of him. Meanwhile, 58% are unsure of his work as State Auditor.
Although he is far less known than state officials like Governor Bryant, Lieutenant
Governor Reeves, and Attorney General Hood, White has a +11% rating among
women, +17% among men, +28% among those with less than a high school degree,
+19% among two-year graduates, +15% among four-year graduates, and +11% among
those with advanced degrees. White is also well-liked among Strong Republicans
(+36%), and Republican Leaners (+15%). Conversely, Strong Democrats who
recognize White largely disapprove of his performance thus far (-15%). It is possible
that the relatively high levels of approval for White among certain segments of the
electorate can be attributed to news media coverage of several high-profile audits
performed on his watch in the early days of his administration.

➢ Likely Democratic Nominee for Lt. Governor Posts Big Gains in Net Approval
Ratings. State Representative Jay Hughes was perhaps the first candidate to formally
declare that he is seeking higher office in 2019. As a candidate for Lieutenant
Governor and a member of the legislature, 26% of voters approve of Hughes while
16% disapprove. A majority of 58% were unsure and could not make a determination
about him, indicating that Hughes still has work to do in order to increase his name
recognition. These numbers reflect and improvement for Hughes who had a 19%
approval and 20% disapproval rating in the April 2018 State of the State Survey.

Interestingly, Hughes—who is a Democrat—has a higher approval rating among

Republicans (+21% among Strong Republicans, +11% among Republican Leaners)
than among members of his own party (-3% among Strong Democrats, +3% among
Democratic Leaners). Hughes also performs better among white voters (+16%) than
among black voters (-3%). Younger voters are also view Hughes more favorably than
older voters where he has a net approval rating of +24% among those 18 to 34, +16%
among voters 35 to 44, and +11% among voters 45 to 54. Meanwhile, Hughes’ net
approval rating among those 55 to 64 is -1% and +8% among those 65 and older.

➢ President Trump Remains a Divisive Figure Among MS Voters. The President’s

approval rating in Mississippi remains largely unchanged from April 2018. 51% of
Mississippi voters say that they approve of Trump, 43% disapprove, and 6% are
 unsure of how they feel. Comparatively, his April approval rating also stood at 51%
while 45% disapproved of his presidency and 4% were unsure at that time.

Trump’s current net +8% approval figure can be attributed to steadfast support among
Strong Republicans (+92%), those who Lean Republican (+68%), white voters
(+54%), male voters (+33%), voters 65 and older (+29%), two-year college graduates
(+31%), four-year graduates (+28%), those who attended college but did not graduate
(+25), and high school graduates (+25%). Mirroring national trends, Trump runs into
problems among Strong Democrats (-79%), Democratic Leaners (-77%), black voters
(-65%), Independents (-10%), those with advanced degrees (-16%). Trump also holds
a +6% rating among women voters in Mississippi, with whom his overall approval
rating is under 50%.

➢ Mississippians Mildly Enthusiastic About Historic Midterm Elections. National

turnout in 2014 stood at 36.4%, the lowest turnout rate for midterm elections since
1942. Meanwhile, turnout was even worse in Mississippi, as just 29.7% of voters
participated in the midterm elections that year, the sixth lowest among all states. 3 The
State of the State Survey finds that Mississippi voters are only mildly enthusiastic
about the midterm elections, which occur on November 6, 2018. Overall, 50% of
voters report that they are extremely or very enthusiastic about voting this fall while
43% are only somewhat enthusiastic or not enthusiastic at all. Pockets of enthusiasm—
those saying they are extremely or very enthusiastic about voting in November—exist
among white voters (56%), men (61%), and the strongest partisans in the electorate
(63% among Strong Republicans and 52% among Strong Democrats). Meanwhile,
voter enthusiasm is lagging in some segments of the electorate as just 43% of black
voters, 40% of Republican Leaners, 41% of Democratic Leaners, and 45% of
Independents appear enthusiastic about the upcoming elections.

These findings tell us that the most partisan voters—who also happen to be the most
politically engaged from the standpoint of voting—are excited to cast their ballots this
fall. While the more partisan voters sense that they have a reason to be enthused about
the November 6 elections, it is possible that the rest of the state’s electorate haven’t
found a particular candidate that has sparked their enthusiasm, haven’t tuned into the
elections as of yet, or perhaps believe that Mississippi’s races aren’t pivotal ones that
will help determine control of Congress come January 2019.

➢ Voters Want More Collaboration and Compromise. When asked about their
preferred approach to governing, Mississippi voters report that they want their elected
leaders to come together to accomplish things on behalf of the public. A solid majority
of 64% say that they would prefer that their political leaders to compromise and get
things done while just 22% prefer for those in office to stick to their beliefs, even if
little gets done. Support for political compromise as opposed to sticking to beliefs at
all costs cuts across all segments of the electorate including education level, gender,
race, age groupings, and region. The strongest support for political compromise is

3
“2014 midterm election turnout lowest in 40 years.” PBS News Hour, November 10, 2014.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/2014-midterm-election-turnout-lowest-in-70-years
 found among older voters (+50), black voters (+53), and those with advance degrees
(+55).

➢ Electorate Perceives Erosion in Political Civility. Mississippi voters believe that the
overall level of civility in national politics has gotten worse in recent years, but they
tend not to think that things are as bad within Mississippi politics. 62% say that the
civility level in national politics has gotten worse recently compared to 39% who say
the same about Mississippi politics. Meanwhile, 20% say that the level of civility in
national politics has largely stayed about the same compared to 39% who feel the
same way about politics here in the Magnolia State. Just 11% believe that the civility
in national politics is getting better compared to 14% who say that it is improving in
Mississippi politics.

The State of the State Survey finds that most voters of all races, gender, age groups,
party affiliations, and educational attainment levels agree that civility in national
politics is worsening (the only exception being those with less than a high school
education who tend to say that things are staying about the same). Meanwhile,
differences exist when considering the tone and civility in Mississippi politics. Voters
who identify as Strong Democrats and Independents are much more likely to say that
the level of civility in Mississippi politics is getting worse while Strong Republicans,
Republican Leaners, and Democratic Leaners are more likely to say that things are
staying about the same.

➢ Mississippians Divided on Government’s Ability to Solve Problems. Although

Mississippians appear to agree on the need for political compromise and sense that the
level of civility is deteriorating in national politics, they remain divided as to which
level of government is most capable and trustworthy for solving problems. 28% of
Mississippi voters say that local government is the most capable and trustworthy, 28%
say the same of state government, 19% feel that the federal government is most
capable and trustworthy, and 25% are unsure. As indicated in the table below,
Mississippians of different backgrounds were likely to suggest that certain levels of
government are more capable and trustworthy.

Which level of government do you believe is the most capable and trustworthy
for solving problems? [Broken down by most popular answer choice]
Local Government State Government Federal Government
(28%) (28%) (19%)
-Male voters (33%) -White voters (37%) -Black voters (28%)
-High school graduates -Those with than a high
(28% -Female voters (29%) school education (21%)
-Attended college but -Graduates from a two- -Strong Democrats
did not graduate (27% year college (41%) (29%)
-Graduates from a
-Those with advanced four-year college
degree (36%) (37%)
 -Strong Republicans
-Independents (36%) (41%)
-Democratic Leaners -Republican Leaners
(26%) (41%)
 Millsaps College/Chism Strategies State of the State Survey
September 2018 Findings
Weighted Toplines

Q1 Do you believe Mississippi is headed in the right direction or the wrong direction?
Q1 Direction %
1 Right direction 43%
2 Wrong direction 30%
3 Unsure 27%
Grand Total 100%

Q2 Do you approve or disapprove of Governor Phil Bryant?

Q2 Bryant %
1 Approve 50%
2 Disapprove 34%
3 Unsure 16%
Grand Total 100%

Q3 Do you approve or disapprove of Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves?

Q3 Reeves %
1 Approve 37%
2 Disapprove 32%
3 Unsure 31%
Grand Total 100%

Q4 Do you approve or disapprove of Attorney General Jim Hood?

Q4 Hood %
1 Approve 50%
2 Disapprove 27%
3 Unsure 24%
Grand Total 100%
 Q5 Do you approve or disapprove of State Auditor Shad White?
Q5 White %
1 Approve 27%
2 Disapprove 15%
3 Unsure 58%
Grand Total 100%

Q6 Do you approve or disapprove of State Representative Jay Hughes?

Q6 Hughes %
1 Approve 26%
2 Disapprove 16%
3 Unsure 58%
Grand Total 100%

Q7 Do you approve or disapprove of President Donald J. Trump?

Q7 Trump %
1 Approve 51%
2 Disapprove 43%
3 Unsure 6%
Grand Total 100%

Q8 Do you approve or disapprove of the Mississippi State Legislature?

Q8 Legislature %
1 Approve 32%
2 Disapprove 34%
3 Unsure 34%
Grand Total 100%
 Q9 What should be the top priority for Mississippi's elected leaders working in
Jackson?
Q9 Priority %
1 Reducing the size of state government 12%
2 Fixing our state's roads and bridges 27%
3 Giving tax incentives and grants for companies that promise to create jobs 8%
4 Making healthcare more accessible and affordable 18%
5 More funding for public schools 20%
6 More funding for universities and community colleges 3%
7 Protecting traditional family values 8%
8 Some other issue not mentioned here 4%
Grand Total 100%

Q10 The Mississippi Legislature recently concluded a Special Session in which they
passed a lottery bill that will direct most of the funds to repairing the state's roads
and bridges. Do you support or oppose this new law?
Q10 Special Session %
1 Support 69%
2 Oppose 18%
3 Unsure 13%
Grand Total 100%

Q11 The new lottery is expected to generate about 20% of the funds that experts say
is needed each year for road and bridge upkeep. Which of the following options
would you most likely support to provide additional road and bridge funding for the
future?
Q11 Lottery bill %
1 Increasing income tax rates for higher wage earners 14%
2 Raising the state gasoline tax 12%
3 Repealing recent corporate tax breaks so that they can pay more 25%
4 Brining back a vehicle registration fee 7%
5 Building of toll roads in some parts of the state 14%
6 Unsure 28%
Grand Total 100%
 Q12 When it comes to your plans to vote in November elections, please tell us your
level of enthusiasm.
Q12 Enthusiasm %
1 Extremely enthusiastic 32%
2 Very enthusiastic 18%
3 Somewhat enthusiastic 29%
4 Not enthusiastic 14%
5 Unsure 7%
Grand Total 100%

Q13 Thinking about the overall tone and civility in national politics in recent years,
do you feel the level of civility is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the
same?
Q13 National Politics %
1 Getting better 11%
2 Getting worse 62%
3 Staying about the same 20%
4 Unsure 7%
Grand Total 100%

Q14 Thinking about the tone and civility in Mississippi politics in recent years, do
you feel the level of civility is getting better, getting worse, or staying about the same?
Q14 MS politics %
1 Getting better 14%
2 Getting worse 39%
3 Staying about the same 39%
4 Unsure 7%
Grand Total 100%

Q15 Which level of government do you believe is the most capable and trustworthy
for solving problems?
Q15 Level of Government %
1 Federal government 19%
2 State government 28%
3 Local government 28%
4 Unsure 25%
Grand Total 100%
 Q16 Which of the following approaches to government do you believe is the most
important for our politics leaders to follow?
Q016 Approaches %
1 Compromise and get things done 64%
2 Stick to their beliefs, even if little gets done 22%
3 Unsure 13%
Grand Total 100%

Q17 Please tell us your age range.

Q17 Age %
1 18 to 34 13%
2 35 to 44 19%
3 45 to 54 20%
4 55 to 64 23%
5 65 and older 25%
Grand Total 100%

Q18 Please tell us your ethnicity.

Q18 Ethnicity %
1 African American or black 35%
2 Asian American 1%
3 Non-Hispanic white 61%
4 Hispanic or Latino 0%
5 Some other ethnicity not mentioned here 3%
Grand Total 100%

Q19 Please tell us your gender.

Q19 Gender %
1 Male 45%
2 Female 55%
3 Non-binary 1%
Grand Total 100%
 Q20 Please tell us your educational attainment.
Q20 Educational Attainment %
1 Less than a high school education 4%
2 High school graduate 18%
3 Attended college but did not graduate 21%
4 Graduated from two-year college 13%
5 Graduated from four-year college 22%
6 Obtained an advanced degree 22%
Grand Total 100%

Q21 How would you describe your partisan affiliation when you vote?
Q21 Partisan Affiliation %
1 Strong Republican 33%
2 Lean Republican 16%
3 Neither Democrat nor Republican 16%
4 Lean Democrat 10%
5 Strong Democrat 26%
Grand Total 100%