Survey

Public Opinion Poll: Utah Voters Opine on the NSA, Alcohol Policy, and Polygamy


Libertas Institute surveyed 475 random Utah voters on August 7, 2013 via an automated phone call system. Sampled voters were contacted and administered a questionnaire. Half of respondents were contacted on their mobile phone, half on a landline. The margin of sampling error is ±4.5%.

NSA

1. The NSA is constructing a large facility in Utah which reportedly will store mass quantities of data from their surveillance operations. Elected officials, including the Governor, welcomed this facility and were happy that it would create a few thousand temporary construction jobs. In light of the recent NSA leaks, how do you feel about this facility operating in our state?

Here is the breakdown by political affiliation:

2. The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states that people have the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures unless there is probable cause of a crime, and a warrant issued by a judge. Do you believe that the NSA’s activities violate this restriction?

Here is the breakdown by political affiliation:

Here is the breakdown by age group:

3. Do you believe that the federal government’s anti-terrorism policies have gone too far in restricting civil liberties, or have they not gone far enough to protect the country?

Here is the breakdown by political affiliation:

Here is the breakdown by age group:

Alcohol Policy

4. Utah has a monopoly over the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages, and operates stores where the public can buy the drinks after a 86% markup fee has been added to the cost. Do you support or oppose Utah’s involvement in the sale of alcohol?

Here is the breakdown by political affiliation:

Here is the breakdown by age group:

5. Utah law requires drivers to have a blood alcohol level of .08% or less to legally operate a vehicle. Would you support a stricter limit by reducing that level to .05%?

Here is the breakdown by political affiliation:

Here is the breakdown by age group:

6. Some restaurants in Utah must mix their patrons’ alcoholic beverages behind a barrier, out of sight of other customers. This barrier has been nicknamed the “Zion’s wall” or “Zion’s curtain”. Have you heard of this law before?

7. Proponents of the Zion’s wall argue that mixing beverages out of sight reduces the temptation for children to become early drinkers. Do you believe that seeing alcoholic beverages being mixed tempts children to become early drinkers?

Here is the breakdown by political affiliation:

Here is the breakdown by age group:

8. Opponents of the Zion’s wall argue that the law is an unfair burden on businesses, many of which have to incur costs to build the wall or otherwise alter their floor plan to accommodate a visual barrier. Do you believe that the Zion’s wall is unfair to businesses?

Here is the breakdown by political affiliation:

Here is the breakdown by age group:

Polygamy

9. Since some marriage laws have been struck down because they do not permit same-sex couples to participate in the institution, do you believe there is any justification for denying polygamy in light of those legislative and court decisions?

Here is the breakdown by political affiliation:

Here is the breakdown by age group:

10. Kody Brown, a polygamist, is suing the state of Utah to challenge the constitutionality of the current law that prohibits him from living with multiple women. If the judge were to rule this law unconstitutional and therefore decriminalize polygamy in the state, would you agree with this decision?

Here is the breakdown by political affiliation:

Here is the breakdown by age group:

11. Do you believe that polygamy is morally wrong?

Here is the breakdown by political affiliation:

Here is the breakdown by age group:

12. In Utah, polygamy is a third degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine. Do you believe that consenting adults who enter into a polygamous relationship should be subjected to this punishment?

Here is the breakdown by political affiliation:

Here is the breakdown by age group: