Progress Iowa released an exit poll in a briefing sharing Iowans’ top priorities at the ballot box. The poll, conducted by Public Policy Polling, shows that Iowa voters want more to be done to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, and that they support policies such as a dramatic increase in funding for education and increasing the minimum wage.
“The poll results show that a majority of Iowans believe that we have a responsibility to one another as a community,” said Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa. “Iowans would wear a mask to stop the spread of COVID-19 if called upon to do so in a mandate from the Governor. We would give up our own tax cut to put that money toward public schools, infrastructure, and clean water. Iowans support a dramatic increase in public school funding and a return to requiring the state to negotiate with public employees about workplace safety. This poll shows what Iowans believe – that we are all in this together. I hope all of our elected officials will learn from this research and follow the will of their constituents.”
Key findings from the poll of Iowa voters include:
- 74% would follow a statewide mandate to wear a mask in public places to prevent the spread of COVID
- 58% want the Iowa Legislature to reinstate the requirement that local and state governments negotiate with public employees regarding their workplace safety and benefits
- 78% agree that the minimum wage in Iowa should be increased from $7.25 per hour
- 51% think Governor Kim Reynolds has not done enough on COVID restrictions
- 48% disapprove of Governor Kim Reynolds’ job performance, and 43% approve
With the public support for increasing COVID-19 restrictions, Progress Iowa has released a new petition urging Gov. Kim Reynolds to institute a statewide mask mandate. While Reynolds has stated that a statewide mandate wouldn’t be enforceable, the poll results show that a majority of Iowans would follow one.
The poll, conducted by Public Policy Polling, surveyed 613 Iowa voters from November 2-3 with a margin of error of +/- 4 pct. points. The results are available here and the slides from the briefing are available here.
