Voters with Disabilities and the 2014
Elections
November 10, 2014
Methodology and Overview
This presentation is based on a survey conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner for
Democracy Corps and Respectability.
The survey included 1030 2014 voters nationwide was conducted from November 3-5, 2012.
Results among are weighted to reflect election results and Exit Poll demographic results
publicly posted by Edison Research. Overall results are weighted to the demographic
characteristics of the likely 2016 electorate.
Unless otherwise noted, margin of error= +/-3.10 percentage points at 95% confidence.
50 percent of respondents were reached by cell phone, in order to account for ever-changing
demographics and trying to accurately sample the full American electorate.
2
Four in Ten 2014 Voters Part of Disability
Community
November 15, 2011
Do you, a family member, or a close friend have a disability?
2
23
Family member
Close friend
Myself
No
Don't know
Total Yes
38 percent
5
59
10
“Do you, a family member, or a close friend have a disability?” Yes, family member, 23 percent. Yes,
close friend, 5 percent. Yes, myself, 10 percent. No, 59 percent. Don’t know, 2 percent.
3
Disability Community More Energized than Average
November 15, 2011
Please rate your level of interest in voting in today’s/yesterday’s election for U.S. Congress and other offices on a scale from
zero to ten, where zero means you are not at all enthusiastic about voting this year and ten means you are extremely
enthusiastic about voting this year.
Percent saying 10 on enthusiasm
56
2014 voters
66
Personally disabled
60
Disability community
52
Not disability community
“Please rate your level of interest in voting in today’s/yesterday’s election for U.S. Congress and other offices
on a scale from zero to ten, where zero means you are not at all enthusiastic about voting this year and ten
means you are extremely enthusiastic about voting this year.” Percent saying “10” on enthusiasm. 2014
voters, 56 percent. Personally Disability, 66 percent. Disability community, 60 percent. Not Disability
Community, 52 percent.
4
Share Pessimism of the Rest of the Country
November 15, 2011
Generally speaking, do you think that things in this country are going in the right direction, or do you feel things have gotten
pretty seriously off on the wrong track?
80
72
22
21
18
Right direction
Wrong track
2014 Voters
Right direction
73
Wrong track
Personal Disability
Right direction
Wrong track
Disability Community
“Generally speaking, do you think that things in this country are going in the right direction, or do you feel
things have gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track?” 2014 voters, right direction, 22 percent; wrong
track, 72 percent. Personally Disability, right direction, 18 percent; wrong direction, 80 percent. Disability
community, right direction, 21 percent; wrong track 73 percent.
5
Obama Fares Better Among Individuals with
Disabilities
November 15, 2011
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president?
Strongly approve
54
42
43
21
Approve
Disapprove
2014 Voters
47
26
Approve
Strongly disapprove
48
40
Disapprove
Personal Disability
55
41
23
Approve
45
Disapprove
Disability Community
“Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as president?” 2014 voters.
Strongly approve, 21 percent. Total approve, 42 percent. Strongly disapprove, 43 percent. Total disapprove,
54 percent. Personally Disability. Strongly approve, 26 percent. Total approve, 47 percent. Strongly
disapprove, 40 percent. Total disapprove, 48 percent. Disability community. Strongly approve, 23 percent.
Total approve, 41 percent. Strongly disapprove, 45 percent. Total disapprove, 55 percent.
6
In Senate Races, Democrats Win Among Individuals; Republicans
Win
November 15, 2011
Among Friends and Family of People with Disabilities
Thinking about the election for Senate, did you vote for (The Democratic Candidate) or (The Republican Candidate)?
+3
+22
47
50
Dem
Rep
2014 Voters
+18
61
Dem
+17
57
39
39
Rep
Dem
Personal Disability
+6
54
37
Rep
Family Member
Disability
Dem
Rep
Close Friend
Disability
47
Dem
+6
53
Rep
Disability
Community
45
Dem
51
Rep
Not Disability
Community
“Thinking about the election for Senate, did you vote for the Democratic candidate or the Republican candidate?” 2014
voters. Democrat, 47 percent. Republican, 50 percent. Personally Disability. Democrat, 61 percent. Republican, 39
percent. Family member disability. Democrat, 39 percent. Republican, 57 percent. Close friend disability. Democrat, 37
percent. Republican, 54 percent. Disability community. Democrat, 47 percent. Republican, 53 percent. Not Disability
Community. Democrat, 45 percent. Republican, 51 percent.
7
Similar Pattern in House Races
November 15, 2011
Now let me ask you about the election for Congress. Did you vote for the Democratic candidate or the Republican candidate?
+6
46
Dem
+12
52
Rep
2014 Voters
56
Dem
+13
+19
61
44
Rep
38
Dem
+11
57
38
Rep
Personal Disability Family Member
Disability
Dem
Rep
Close Friend
Disability
44
Dem
+5
55
Rep
Disability
Community
46
51
Dem
Rep
Not Disability
Community
“Now let me ask you about the election for Congress. Did you vote for the Democratic candidate or the Republican
candidate?” 2014 voters. Democrat, 46 percent. Republican, 52 percent. Personally Disability. Democrat, 56 percent.
Republican, 44 percent. Family Member Disability. Democrat, 38 percent. Republican, 61 percent. Close Friend Disability.
Democrat, 38 percent. Republican, 57 percent. Disability community. Democrat, 44 percent. Republican, 55 percent. Not
Disability Community. Democrat, 46 percent. Republican, 51 percent.
8
In Senate, Republicans Improve Slightly in the
Disability Community Over last Two Months
November 15, 2011
Thinking about the election for Senate, did you vote for (The Democratic Candidate) or (The Republican Candidate)?
2014 Voters
Disability Community
+3
+3
+2
45
48
47
50
Democrat
Republican
Democrat
Republican
September
November
+6
45
47
47
Democrat
Republican
Democrat
September
53
Republican
November
“Thinking about the election for Senate, did you vote for the Democratic candidate or the Republican candidate?” 2014
voters. September. Democrat, 45 percent. Republican, 48 percent. November. Democrat, 47 percent. Republican, 50
percent. Disability community. September. Democrat, 45 percent. Republican, 47 percent. November. Democrat, 47
percent. Republican, 53 percent.
9
Like Other Voters, Disability Community Focused
on the Economy
Now I am going to read you a list of reasons people vote for one candidate over another. After I read this list, tell me which THREE
are the most important when deciding who to vote for in the election for U.S. Congress.
2014 Voters
Disability Community
Their position on the economy,
jobs, and wages
Their position on the new health
care law
Their position on foreign affairs,
ISIS, and Ebola
Their position on spending and
deficits
27
Their position on the economy,
jobs, and wages
Their position on the new health
care law
Their position on foreign affairs,
ISIS, and Ebola
Their position on spending and
deficits
Their position on immigration
26
Their position on immigration
26
Their position on Medicare and
Social Security
Their position on abortion and
gay marriage
54
30
28
Their position on Medicare and
Social Security
Their position on abortion and
gay marriage
23
17
Their position on women's issues
Because I support their political
party
Because of Barack Obama
11
8
Their position on women's issues
58
26
32
32
20
29
21
15
Because I support their political
party
10
Because of Barack Obama
9
* Blind-accessible data on next slide.
10
Like Other Voters, Disability Community Focused on the
Economy
Now I am going to read you a list of reasons people vote for one candidate over another. After I read this list, tell me which THREE
are the most important when deciding who to vote for in the election for U.S. Congress.
“Now I am going to read you a list of reasons people vote for one candidate over another. After I read
this list, tell me which THREE are the most important when deciding who to vote for in the election for
U.S. Congress.” 2014 voters. Their position on the economy, jobs and wages, 54 percent. Their position
on the new health care law, 30 percent. Their position on foreign affairs, ISIS, and Ebola, 28 percent.
Their position on spending and deficits, 27 percent. Their position on immigration, 26 percent. Their
position on Medicare and Social Security, 26 percent. Their position on abortion and gay marriage, 23
percent. Their position on women’s issues, 17 percent. Because I support their political party, 11 percent.
Because of Barack Obama, 8 percent. Disability community. Their position on the economy, jobs and
wages, 58 percent. Their position on the new health care law, 26 percent. Their position on foreign
affairs, ISIS, and Ebola, 32 percent. Their position on spending and deficits, 32 percent. Their position on
immigration, 20 percent. Their position on Medicare and Social Security, 29 percent. Their position on
abortion and gay marriage, 21 percent. Their position on women’s issues, 15 percent. Because I support
their political party, 10 percent. Because of Barack Obama, 9 percent.
11
Many Agree Not Raising Issues Important to Them
Now I'm going to read you a pair of statements. Please tell me whether the FIRST statement or the SECOND statement comes closer to your
own view, even if neither is exactly right.
The President and the political debate in the country are raising
issues important to people.
The national political debate in the country just isn't dealing with
issues that matter to people.
59
33
58
33
46
20
Raising important issues
Not raising important issues
2014 Voters
23
Raising important issues
46
Not raising important issues
Disability Community
“Now I'm going to read you a pair of statements. Please tell me whether the FIRST statement or the SECOND statement
comes closer to your own view, even if neither is exactly right.” The President and the political debate in the country are
raising issues important to people. OR The national political debate in the country just isn't dealing with issues that
matter to people. 2014 voters. Strongly agree with raising important issues, 20 percent. Total agree with raising important
issues, 33 percent. Strongly agree with not raising important issues, 46 percent. Total agree with not raising important
issues, 59 percent. Disability community. Strongly agree with raising important issues, 23 percent. Total agree with raising
important issues, 33 percent. Strongly agree with not raising important issues, 46 percent. Total agree with not raising
important issues, 58 percent.
12
Few Heard Candidates Speaking to Their Issues, But
Disability Community More Likely to Hear Message
November 15, 2011
Thinking about the issues in the contested campaigns in your state, would you say that any candidates put forward specific serious
policies to improve opportunities for people with disabilities, or did candidates not put forward any serious policies on those issues?
58
38
23
22
Yes,
policies
65
49
No, no
policies
2014 Voters
Yes,
policies
No, no
policies
Personal Disability
Yes,
policies
61
Family Member
Disability
Yes,
policies
No, no
policies
Close Friend
Disability
Yes,
policies
58
19
26
18
No, no
policies
60
No, no
policies
Disability
Community
Yes,
policies
No, no
policies
Not Disability
Community
“Thinking about the issues in the contested campaigns in your state, would you say that any candidates put forward
specific serious policies to improve opportunities for people with disabilities, or did candidates not put forward any serious
policies on those issues?” 2014 voters. Yes, put forward policies, 22 percent. No, did not put forward policies, 58 percent.
Personally Disability. Yes, put forward policies, 38 percent. No, did not put forward policies, 49 percent. Family member
Disability. Yes, put forward policies, 23 percent. No, did not put forward policies, 65 percent. Close friend Disability. Yes,
put forward policies, 18 percent. No, did not put forward policies, 61 percent. Disability community. Yes, put forward
policies, 26 percent. No, did not put forward policies, 60 percent. Not Disability Community. Yes, put forward policies, 19
percent. No, did not put forward policies, 58 percent.
13
Powerful Impact Among Voters Who Heard Message
November 15, 2011
(IF HEARD POLICIES) Would you say that candidates' stances on policies towards people with disabilities had a major impact on
your vote, a minor impact on your vote, or no impact on your vote? (IF IMPACT) And did the candidate's stance on policies towards
people with disabilities make you more or less likely to support that candidate?
2014 Voters
Personal Disability
Major impact
82
76
36
22
Impact
No impact
16
Impact
Much more likely
No impact
48
9
58
More likely
Less likely
More likely
43
Impact
18
No impact
Much less likely
92
83
* Blind-accessible data on next slide.
Minor impact
84
78
Disability Community
84
7
48
9
Less likely
More likely
Less likely
14
Powerful Impact Among Voters Who Heard Message
November 15, 2011
“(IF HEARD POLICIES) Would you say that candidates' stances on policies towards people with disabilities
had a major impact on your vote, a minor impact on your vote, or no impact on your vote? (IF IMPACT) And
did the candidate's stance on policies towards people with disabilities make you more or less likely to
support that candidate?” 2014 voters. Major impact, 36 percent. Total impact, 78 percent. No impact, 22
percent. Much more likely to support that candidate, 48 percent. Total more likely, 83 percent. Total less
likely, 9 percent. Personally Disability. Major impact, 76 percent. Total impact, 84 percent. No impact, 16
percent. Much more likely to support that candidate, 58 percent. Total more likely, 92 percent. Total less
likely, 7 percent. Disability community. Major impact, 43 percent. Total impact, 82 percent. No impact, 18
percent. Much more likely to support that candidate, 48 percent. Total more likely, 84 percent. Total less
likely, 9 percent.
15
Voters In and Out of Disability Community Wanted
to Hear More
November 15, 2011
And would you, or would you not have been interested in hearing more from the candidates on their policies to expand
opportunities for people with disabilities?
69
65
31
62
25
35
Yes, would have No, would not have Yes, would have No, would not have Yes, would have No, would not have
been
been
been
been
been
been
2014 Voters
Disability Community
Not Disability
Community
“And would you, or would you not have been interested in hearing more from the candidates on their policies to expand
opportunities for people with disabilities?” 2014 voters. Yes, would have been, 65 percent. No, would not have been, 31
percent. Disability community. Yes, would have been, 69 percent. No, would not have been, 25 percent. Not Disability
Community. Yes, would have been, 62 percent. No, would not have been, 35 percent.
16
Some Run Into Accessibility Problems with Voting
November 15, 2011
And thinking about the election this year, do you think voting was fully accessible to people with disabilities, or were some
people with disabilities unable to vote due to inaccessibility?
76
73
68
18
12
Fully accessible
Some inaccessible
2014 Voters
Fully accessible
Some inaccessible
Personal Disability
14
Fully accessible
Some inaccessible
Disability
Community
“And thinking about the election this year, do you think voting was fully accessible to people with disabilities, or were some
people with disabilities unable to vote due to inaccessibility?” 2014 voters. Fully accessible, 68 percent. Some inaccessible,
12 percent. Personally Disability. Fully accessible, 73 percent. Some inaccessible, 18 percent. Disability Community. Fully
accessible, 76 percent. Some inaccessible, 14 percent.
17
WORLD
HEADQUARTERS
CORPORATE
HEADQUARTERS
EUROPEAN
LATIN AMERICAN
HEADQUARTERS HEADQUARTERS
CANADIAN
HEADQUARTERS
10 G Street, NE
Suite 500
Washington, D.C.
20002
54 W 40th St,
New York, NY 10018
22 Bloomsbury Sq.
London, UK
WC1A 2NS
Cabrera 6060, 7D
C1414 BHN,
Ciudad de Buenos
Aires, Argentina
350-1 First Canadian Pl.
Toronto Board of Trade
Tower
Toronto, ON M5K 1C1
Phone:
+44 (0)20 3740 9029
Phone:
+54 11 4772 0813
Phone:
+1 647-526-6754
Phone:
+1 202 478 8300
Fax:
+1 202 478 8301
Phone:
212 231 0050
www.gqrr.com