September 30, 2020: Forty-five percent (45%) of registered voters believe that the government should be easing lockdown restrictions in the area where they live. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 36% take the opposite view and believe that stricter rules should be re-imposed. Nineteen percent (19%) are not sure.[1]
Other recent data showed that 37% wear masks at all times around other people. However, 63% take a more relaxed approach. Taken together, these results suggest that a significant minority of just under 40% remains committed to a strict lockdown strategy for dealing with the pandemic. However, a larger number of voters are looking to move beyond the lockdowns.[2]
Seventy-four percent (74%) of Republicans want lockdown restrictions eased while 54% of Democrats want to see stricter regulations. Independent voters are evenly divided.[1]
One interesting geographic note is that red-state voters are evenly divided. Those are states that Donald Trump won by at least four points in 2016. However, in blue states—those that Hillary Clinton won by at least four points, a plurality (47%) favor easing restrictions. While those results may seem counter-intuitive, they may reflect that states led by Republican governors have already eased restrictions more than states led by Democratic governors. This may be a sign that blue state voters are losing patience with lockdown measures.[1]
In the purple states—the competitive states that may decide the winner of Election 2020—46% want to see restrictions eased while 36% found the opposite view.[1]
Among likely voters nationwide, support for easing restrictions is a bit higher: 49% support the more relaxed approach while 36% want to see stricter measures put in place.[1]
The survey also found that 27% of registered voters believe the worst of the pandemic is behind us. However, 48% believe the worst is still to come. That’s consistent with other recent surveys and reflects a decline in pessimism since the summer.[1]
Those who believe the worst is behind us overwhelmingly favor easing lockdown restrictions. Among those who believe the worst is still to come, 63% want stricter lockdowns. However, even among these more pessimistic voters, 25% believe it’s time to ease restrictions in their area.[1]
As for those who aren’t sure about whether the worst is behind us, 48% want to see restrictions eased. Just 19% want stricter lockdowns.[1]
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