August 2023 SLU Poll Results
In August, the SLU/YouGov Poll surveyed 900 likely Missouri voters to assess their opinions concerning issues facing the Missouri state legislature, Missouri Political Actors, school safety, guns, and other issues important to Missouri voters.
- August 2023 SLU/YouGov Poll News Release
- August 2023 SLU/YouGov Poll Top Line Results
- August 2023 SLU/YouGov Poll Results with Demographic and Party Cross Tabs
Analyses of August 2023 Poll from 麻豆传媒/YouGov Poll Directors
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Preliminary Polling on the 2024 Presidential Race by Ken Warren, Ph.D.
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Missourians Approval of Political Figures Remains Steady by Ken Warren, Ph.D.
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Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Schools by Ashley Donaldson Burle
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The Interconnectedness of Missouri Teacher Pipeline Woes by Ashley Donaldson Burle
- Missouri Voters Support Restricting Transgender Medical Care for Minors by Kaitlin Klasen
The SLU/YouGov Poll brings national attention to Missouri politics, receiving coverage from The Washington Post, Politico, and MSNBC, amongst other outlets. To get the latest updates, follow the SLU Poll team on .
Approval Ratings of National and State Political Actors
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you approve or disapprove of the way each is doing their job: President Joe Biden?': 13% Strongly approve, 25% Approve, 9% Disapprove, 51% Strongly disapprove, and 2% Not sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 36% Strongly approve, 50% Approve, 6% Disapprove, 4% Strongly disapprove, and 3% Not sure. Republican voters' responses: 2% Strongly approve, 2% Approve, 8% Disapprove, 88% Strongly disapprove, and 1% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you approve or disapprove of the way each is doing their job: Governor Mike Parson?': 13% Strongly approve, 36% Approve, 16% Disapprove, 27% Strongly disapprove, and 8% Not sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 1% Strongly approve, 11% Approve, 24% Disapprove, 58% Strongly disapprove, and 7% Not sure. Republican voters' responses: 28% Strongly approve, 56% Approve, 10% Disapprove, 1% Strongly disapprove, and 5% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you approve or disapprove of the way each is doing their job: Senator Josh Hawley?': 26% Strongly approve, 21% Approve, 10% Disapprove, 35% Strongly disapprove, and 8% Not sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 1% Strongly approve, 6% Approve, 9% Disapprove, 76% Strongly disapprove, and 8% Not sure. Republican voters' responses: 49% Strongly approve, 35% Approve, 8% Disapprove, 2% Strongly disapprove, and 7% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you approve or disapprove of the way each is doing their job: Senator Eric Schmitt?': 13% Strongly approve, 29% Approve, 13% Disapprove, 25% Strongly disapprove, and 20% Not sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 2% Strongly approve, 4% Approve, 16% Disapprove, 56% Strongly disapprove, and 22% Not sure. Republican voters' responses: 24% Strongly approve, 48% Approve, 9% Disapprove, 2% Strongly disapprove, and 17% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you approve or disapprove of the way each is doing their job: The US Supreme Court?': 9% Strongly approve, 34% Approve, 29% Disapprove, 23% Strongly disapprove, and 5% Not sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 1% Strongly approve, 13% Approve, 32% Disapprove, 48% Strongly disapprove, and 6% Not sure. Republican voters' responses: 15% Strongly approve, 54% Approve, 23% Disapprove, 2% Strongly disapprove, and 5% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you approve or disapprove of the way each is doing their job: The US Congress?': 1% Strongly approve, 15% Approve, 50% Disapprove, 24% Strongly disapprove, and 10% Not sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 0% Strongly approve, 17% Approve, 57% Disapprove, 16% Strongly disapprove, and 10% Not sure. Republican voters' responses: 3% Strongly approve, 15% Approve, 46% Disapprove, 24% Strongly disapprove, and 12% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you approve or disapprove of the way each is doing their job: The Missouri State Legislature?': 5% Strongly approve, 41% Approve, 22% Disapprove, 23% Strongly disapprove, and 9% Not sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 1% Strongly approve, 15% Approve, 30% Disapprove, 46% Strongly disapprove, and 8% Not sure. Republican voters' responses: 11% Strongly approve, 58% Approve, 17% Disapprove, 3% Strongly disapprove, and 11% Not sure.
2024 Presidential Election
Likely voters' responses to 'If the election for President of the United States were being held today, who would you vote for?': 35% Joe Biden (D), 50% R, 6% Other, and 9% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Which of the following candidates would you be most likely to support?': 52% Donald Trump, 17% Ron DeSantis, 5% Nikki Haley, 9% Mike Pence, 5% Tim Scott, and 12% Other.
LGBTQ Issues
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you favor or oppose the following policies: Marriages between same-sex couples should be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages.': 56% Favor, 34% Oppose, and 10% Not Sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 83% Favor, 9% Oppose, and 8% Not Sure. Republican voters' responses: 26% Favor, 63% Oppose, and 11% Not Sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you favor or oppose allowing someone younger than 18 to receive gender transition medical care like: gender affirming counseling?': 44% Favor, 44% Oppose, and 13% Not Sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 81% Favor, 10% Oppose, and 10% Not Sure. Republican voters' responses: 17% Favor, 72% Oppose, and 12% Not Sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you favor or oppose allowing someone younger than 18 to receive gender transition medical care like: hormone therapy or medication that can temporarily prevent the effects of puberty?': 24% Favor, 63% Oppose, and 13% Not Sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 54% Favor, 25% Oppose, and 22% Not Sure. Republican voters' responses: 4% Favor, 92% Oppose, and 4% Not Sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you favor or oppose allowing someone younger than 18 to receive gender transition medical care like: gender affirming surgery?': 14% Favor, 73% Oppose, and 13% Not Sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 30% Favor, 45% Oppose, and 25% Not Sure. Republican voters' responses: 4% Favor, 94% Oppose, and 2% Not Sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you favor or oppose the following policies: Allowing transgender student athletes to play on sports teams that match their gender identity, rather than the gender they were assigned at birth.': 18% Favor, 67% Oppose, and 15% Not Sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 41% Favor, 29% Oppose, and 30% Not Sure. Republican voters' responses: 2% Favor, 95% Oppose, and 2% Not Sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you favor or oppose public schools being allowed to: discuss sexual orientation issues with students in elementary schools?': 18% Favor, 69% Oppose, and 12% Not Sure. Likely voters' responses to 'Do you favor or oppose public schools being allowed to: discuss sexual orientation issues with students in middle schools?': 38% Favor, 54% Oppose, and 8% Not Sure. Likely voters' responses to 'Do you favor or oppose public schools being allowed to: discuss sexual orientation issues with students in high schools?': 56% Favor, 35% Oppose, and 9% Not Sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you favor or oppose public schools being allowed to: ban books with stories about gay or lesbian youth?': 33% Favor, 54% Oppose, and 13% Not Sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 7% Favor, 85% Oppose, and 8% Not Sure. Republican voters' responses: 61% Favor, 26% Oppose, and 14% Not Sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you favor or oppose public schools being allowed to: discuss gender identity issues with students in elementary schools?': 19% Favor, 71% Oppose, and 10% Not Sure. Likely voters' responses to 'Do you favor or oppose public schools being allowed to: discuss gender identity issues with students in middle schools?': 34% Favor, 59% Oppose, and 6% Not Sure. Likely voters' responses to 'Do you favor or oppose public schools being allowed to: discuss gender identity issues with students in high schools?': 51% Favor, 40% Oppose, and 9% Not Sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you favor or oppose public schools being allowed to: ban books with stories about transgender youth?': 38% Favor, 49% Oppose, and 13% Not Sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 10% Favor, 79% Oppose, and 11% Not Sure. Republican voters' responses: 64% Favor, 23% Oppose, and 13% Not Sure.
Education Issues
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you favor or oppose the following policies: Colleges being allowed to consider an applicant's race among other factors when making decisions on admissions.': 22% Favor, 67% Oppose, and 10% Not Sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 47% Favor, 39% Oppose, and 14% Not Sure. Republican voters' responses: 6% Favor, 89% Oppose, and 5% Not Sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you agree or disagree with the following statements: The U.S. Supreme Court was correct in striking down President Biden's student loan debt forgiveness program.': 52% Agree, 36% Disagree, and 12% Not Sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 11% Agree, 69% Disagree, and 20% Not Sure. Republican voters' responses: 86% Agree, 8% Disagree, and 6% Not Sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you have trust and confidence in the men and women who are teaching children in the public schools?': 13% A great deal, 38% A good amount, 28% Just some, 15% No, do not have confidence, and 6% Not sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 23% A great deal, 44% A good amount, 23% Just some, 5% No, do not have confidence, and 5% Not sure. Republican voters' responses: 8% A great deal, 34% A good amount, 32% Just some, 21% No, do not have confidence, and 6% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'How big of a problem is the K-12 teacher shortage in your local area?': 17% A very big problem, 37% Somewhat of a problem, 12% Not a very big problem, 4% Not a problem, and 28% Not sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 27% A very big problem, 38% Somewhat of a problem, 8% Not a very big problem, 1% Not a problem, and 26% Not sure. Republican voters' responses: 12% A very big problem, 34% Somewhat of a problem, 17% Not a very big problem, 8% Not a problem, and 29% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'How big of a problem is the K-12 teacher shortage in your local area?': 17% A very big problem, 37% Somewhat of a problem, 12% Not a very big problem, 4% Not a problem, and 28% Not sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 27% A very big problem, 38% Somewhat of a problem, 8% Not a very big problem, 1% Not a problem, and 26% Not sure. Republican voters' responses: 12% A very big problem, 34% Somewhat of a problem, 17% Not a very big problem, 8% Not a problem, and 29% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Would you advise a young adult to take up teaching in public schools as a career?': 35% Yes, 45% No, and 20% Not sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 46% Yes, 40% No, and 14% Not sure. Republican voters' responses: 35% Yes, 43% No, and 22% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you support or oppose the following policies: Charter schools should be allowed to operate in all areas of the state.': 55% Support, 19% Oppose, and 26% Not Sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 39% Support, 30% Oppose, and 31% Not Sure. Republican voters' responses: 62% Support, 13% Oppose, and 25% Not Sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you support or oppose the following policies: Charter schools should be allowed to operate in my school district.': 52% Support, 20% Oppose, and 28% Not Sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 33% Support, 33% Oppose, and 34% Not Sure. Republican voters' responses: 62% Support, 12% Oppose, and 26% Not Sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Would you advise a young adult to take up teaching in public schools as a career?': 35% Yes, 45% No, and 20% Not sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 46% Yes, 40% No, and 14% Not sure. Republican voters' responses: 35% Yes, 43% No, and 22% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Would you advise a young adult to take up teaching in public schools as a career?': 35% Yes, 45% No, and 20% Not sure. Democratic voters' responses: ' 46% Yes, 40% No, and 14% Not sure. Republican voters' responses: 35% Yes, 43% No, and 22% Not sure.
Statewide Opinion Over Time
Likely voters' responses to 'Which of the following do you think should be the TOP priority of the Missouri state government?'. June 2020 Voter Responses 43% Economy, 28% Health Care, 13% Education, 11% Infrastructure, and 5% Other. October 2020 Voter Responses: 39% Economy, 34% Health care, 13% Education, 10% Infrastructure, and 4% Other. July 2021 Voter Responses: 42% Economy, 25% Health care, 13% Education, 15% Infrastructure, and 6% Other. August 2022 Voter Responses: 51% Economy, 16% Health care, 11% Education, 14% Infrastructure, and 8% Other. February 2023 Voter Responses: 44% Economy, 17% Health care, 18% Education, 15% Infrastructure, and 6% Other. August 2023 Voter Responses: 44% Economy, 19% Health care, 14% Education, 16% Infrastructure, and 7% Other.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you agree or disagree with the following statements: The United States is on the right track and headed in a good direction?'. October 2020 Voter Responses: 38% Agree, 54% Disagree, and 8% Not Sure. July 2021 Voter Responses: 30% Agree, 60% Disagree, and 10% Not sure. August 2022 Voter Responses: 15% Agree, 73% Disagree, and 12% Not Sure. February 2023 Voter Responses: 16% Agree, 73% Disagree, and 12% Not sure. August 2023 Voter Responses: 20% Agree, 68% Disagree, and 11% Not Sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'Do you agree or disagree with the following statements: The State of Missouri is on the right track and headed in a good direction?'. October 2020 Voter Responses: 43% Agree, 44% Disagree, and 13% Not Sure. July 2021 Voter Responses: 42% Agree, 44% Disagree, and 15% Not sure. August 2022 Voter Responses: 33% Agree, 51% Disagree, and 16% Not Sure. February 2023 Voter Responses: 40% Agree, 44% Disagree, and 17% Not sure. August 2023 Voter Responses: 40% Agree, 41% Disagree, and 19% Not Sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'How would you rate the condition of the following: The Economy in the United States?'. June 2020 Voter Responses 4% Excellent, 23% Good, 34% Fair, 37% Poor, and 2% Not Sure. October 2020 Voter Responses: 5% Excellent, 29% Good, 36% Fair, 28% Poor, and 2% Not sure. July 2021 Voter Responses: 2% Excellent, 22% Good, 39% Fair, 34% Poor, and 3% Not sure. August 2022 Voter Responses: 2% Excellent, 11% Good, 28% Fair, 58% Poor, and 1% Not sure. February 2023 Voter Responses: 2% Excellent, 13% Good, 30% Fair, 53% Poor, and 2% Not sure. August 2023 Voter Responses: 3% Excellent, 16% Good, 28% Fair, 53% Poor, and 1% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'How would you rate the condition of the following: The Economy in the State of Missouri?'. June 2020 Voter Responses 3% Excellent, 25% Good, 40% Fair, 27% Poor, and 3% Not Sure. October 2020 Voter Responses: 4% Excellent, 31% Good, 37% Fair, 25% Poor, and 3% Not sure. July 2021 Voter Responses: 2% Excellent, 24% Good, 50% Fair, 21% Poor, and 3% Not sure. August 2022 Voter Responses: 1% Excellent, 14% Good, 53% Fair, 30% Poor, and 2% Not sure. February 2023 Voter Responses: 2% Excellent, 18% Good, 50% Fair, 28% Poor, and 3% Not sure. August 2023 Voter Responses: 2% Excellent, 18% Good, 53% Fair, 26% Poor, and 1% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'How would you rate the condition of the following: Public Schools in the State of Missouri?'. June 2020 Voter Responses 2% Excellent, 28% Good, 46% Fair, 17% Poor, and 7% Not Sure. October 2020 Voter Responses: 3% Excellent, 23% Good, 43% Fair, 23% Poor, and 9% Not sure. July 2021 Voter Responses: 2% Excellent, 24% Good, 41% Fair, 26% Poor, and 7% Not sure. August 2022 Voter Responses: 1% Excellent, 20% Good, 46% Fair, 25% Poor, and 8% Not sure. February 2023 Voter Responses: 1% Excellent, 22% Good, 42% Fair, 27% Poor, and 7% Not sure. August 2023 Voter Responses: 1% Excellent, 21% Good, 42% Fair, 29% Poor, and 7% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'How would you rate the condition of the following: Public Schools in your community?'. June 2020 Voter Responses 13% Excellent, 35% Good, 32% Fair, 16% Poor, and 3% Not Sure. October 2020 Voter Responses: 8% Excellent, 34% Good, 29% Fair, 24% Poor, and 5% Not sure. July 2021 Voter Responses: 8% Excellent, 32% Good, 33% Fair, 25% Poor, and 3% Not sure. August 2022 Voter Responses: 6% Excellent, 33% Good, 35% Fair, 23% Poor, and 3% Not sure. February 2023 Voter Responses: 6% Excellent, 31% Good, 33% Fair, 25% Poor, and 5% Not sure. August 2023 Voter Responses: 6% Excellent, 32% Good, 33% Fair, 23% Poor, and 6% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'How would you rate the condition of the following: Roads and infrastructure in the State of Missouri?'. June 2020 Voter Responses 2% Excellent, 17% Good, 41% Fair, 39% Poor, and 1% Not Sure. July 2021 Voter Responses: 2% Excellent, 18% Good, 40% Fair, 37% Poor, and 4% Not sure. August 2022 Voter Responses: 2% Excellent, 18% Good, 45% Fair, 35% Poor, and 1% Not sure. February 2023 Voter Responses: 1% Excellent, 15% Good, 45% Fair, 36% Poor, and 3% Not sure. August 2023 Voter Responses: 2% Excellent, 19% Good, 42% Fair, 36% Poor, and 1% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'How would you rate the condition of the following: Race relations in your community?'. June 2020 Voter Responses 12% Excellent, 33% Good, 31% Fair, 19% Poor, and 5% Not Sure. October 2020 Voter Responses: 10% Excellent, 35% Good, 28% Fair, 22% Poor, and 4% Not sure. July 2021 Voter Responses: 12% Excellent, 35% Good, 26% Fair, 21% Poor, and 6% Not sure. August 2022 Voter Responses: 9% Excellent, 36% Good, 31% Fair, 19% Poor, and 6% Not sure. February 2023 Voter Responses: 9% Excellent, 34% Good, 31% Fair, 19% Poor, and 7% Not sure. August 2023 Voter Responses: 10% Excellent, 42% Good, 29% Fair, 14% Poor, and 4% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'How would you rate the condition of the following: Crime in your community?'. June 2020 Voter Responses 8% Excellent, 31% Good, 38% Fair, 21% Poor, and 2% Not Sure. October 2020 Voter Responses: 8% Excellent, 33% Good, 31% Fair, 25% Poor, and 3% Not sure. July 2021 Voter Responses: 8% Excellent, 34% Good, 32% Fair, 24% Poor, and 2% Not sure. August 2022 Voter Responses: 7% Excellent, 27% Good, 35% Fair, 29% Poor, and 2% Not sure. February 2023 Voter Responses: 5% Excellent, 30% Good, 31% Fair, 29% Poor, and 5% Not sure. August 2023 Voter Responses: 8% Excellent, 27% Good, 34% Fair, 27% Poor, and 4% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'How would you rate the condition of the following: Your physical health in the last month?'. June 2020 Voter Responses 22% Excellent, 52% Good, 19% Fair, 7% Poor, and 0% Not sure. October 2020 Voter Responses: 18% Excellent, 52% Good, 22% Fair, 8% Poor, and 0% Not sure. July 2021 Voter Responses: 16% Excellent, 51% Good, 23% Fair, 8% Poor, and 2% Not sure. August 2022 Voter Responses: 16% Excellent, 46% Good, 27% Fair, 10% Poor, and 1% Not sure. February 2023 Voter Responses: 16% Excellent, 46% Good, 24% Fair, 13% Poor, and 1% Not sure. August 2023 Voter Responses: 12% Excellent, 51% Good, 28% Fair, 8% Poor, and 0% Not sure.
Likely voters' responses to 'How would you rate the condition of the following: Your mental health in the last month?'. June 2020 Voter Responses 27% Excellent, 39% Good, 21% Fair, 12% Poor, and 0% Not sure. October 2020 Voter Responses: 23% Excellent, 40% Good, 25% Fair, 12% Poor, and 0% Not sure. July 2021 Voter Responses: 24% Excellent, 41% Good, 25% Fair, 10% Poor, and 2% Not sure. August 2022 Voter Responses: 21% Excellent, 47% Good, 21% Fair, 10% Poor, and 0% Not sure. February 2023 Voter Responses: 27% Excellent, 37% Good, 25% Fair, 11% Poor, and 1% Not sure. August 2023 Voter Responses: 21% Excellent, 46% Good, 20% Fair, 12% Poor, and 0% Not sure.
麻豆传媒 the SLU/YouGov Poll
The SLU/YouGov Poll fills a void in the study of public opinion in Missouri. No other academic institution regularly conducts a non-partisan, scientific survey of Missouri voters and publicly makes its results available to citizens, researchers, and policymakers. The SLU/YouGov Poll aligns with SLU's Jesuit mission to pursue Truth for the common good. It also contributes to the mission of 鈥渇aith that does justice鈥 by informing SLU鈥檚 surrounding communities to improve solidarity within those communities. The SLU You/Gov Poll, for example, regularly asks Missourians for their opinion on government spending for the poor, race relations in their communities, views on education and law enforcement.
Poll Director Steven Rogers, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, leads a team of experts in survey research and policymaking. The associate director of the SLU/YouGov Poll is Kenneth Warren, Ph.D., professor of political science, who has more than 30 years of professional polling experience. Gary Ritter, Ph.D., dean of the School of Education, is the executive sponsor of the SLU/YouGov Poll.
SLU has partnered with YouGov to conduct its annual survey of Missourians. YouGov conducts surveys for multiple academic institutions and is the primary trusted survey firm for media organizations including CBS News and The Economist. An independent Pew Research Center study of online survey firms in 2016 further concluded YouGov 鈥渃onsistently outperforms competitors.鈥
The origins of the SLU/YouGov Poll lie in an internal Big Ideas competition to define university-wide strategic research priorities sponsored by the SLU Research Institute. The Big Ideas competition provides funding to research initiatives that demonstrate broad faculty engagement, strong leadership and compelling research plans.
For questions or suggestions for the SLU/YouGov Poll, contact SLU Poll Director Steven Rogers, Ph.D., at steven.rogers@slu.edu.