May 13, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Francis De Luca (919) 834-2099 francis.deluca@nccivitas.org
Poll reveals North Carolinians are far more likely to vote for a governor and legislators who support and take action on religious freedom protection legislation.
RALEIGH, NC — A new Civitas Poll of registered North Carolina voters shows overwhelming support for legislation in North Carolina that protects religious freedoms. This poll, moreover, takes it one step further: North Carolinians are more likely to take this strongly held belief in protecting religious freedom to the ballot box.
Eighty-three percent said that everyone’s freedom to live and work according to their religious beliefs should be protected by law and given a fair hearing in court. These polling sentiments affirm the Clout Research Polling responses that were acquired in mid-April of this year in support of legislation in North Carolina that protects religious freedom.
Furthermore, 73 percent support North Carolina passing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), a law that would protect North Carolinians’ freedom to practice their religious beliefs without government interference. In other words, registered North Carolina voters not only believe in the concept of religious freedom, but they want it secured in the laws of our state so that the people are protected from government overreach.
The polling data goes on to indicate that legislative action on religious freedom protection in North Carolina will be a determining factor at the ballot box.
Sixty-five percent said they would be more likely to vote for a state legislator who supports a law such as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which would protect North Carolinians’ freedom to practice their religious beliefs without government interference.
Further, sixty-three percent said they would be more likely to vote for a governor who would sign a law such as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Religious Freedom is a basic human right that deserves protection under the law. The government shouldn’t have unchecked power to intrude on North Carolinians’ freedom. The Religious Freedom Restoration Act helps prevent that.
The numbers have been consistently and overwhelmingly in favor of passing legislation that would protect religious freedom here in North Carolina. This new polling data shows that the people of North Carolina are overwhelmingly looking to elect leaders to public office who will protect their religious freedom.
Text of selected questions*:
Do you believe that everyone’s freedom to live and work according to their religious beliefs should be protected by law and given a fair hearing in court?
| 83% | Yes |
| 10% | No |
| 7% | Don’t Know |
| 1% | Refused |
Do you support or oppose North Carolina passing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a law that would protect North Carolinians’ freedom to practice their religious beliefs, without government interference?
| 73% | Total Support |
| 19% | Total Oppose |
| 53% | Strongly Support |
| 20% | Somewhat Support |
| 4% | Somewhat Oppose |
| 15% | Strongly Oppose |
| 8% | Don’t Know/ Unsure |
Would you be more or less likely to vote for a state legislator who supports a law such as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which would protect North Carolinians’ freedom to practice their religious beliefs, without government interference?
| 65% | Total More Likely |
| 21% | Total Less Likely |
| 41% | Much More Likely |
| 24% | Somewhat More Likely |
| 5% | Somewhat Less Likely |
| 15% | Much Less Likely |
| 8% | No Difference |
| 6% | Don’t Know/ Refused |
Would you be more or less likely to vote for a Governor who would sign a law such as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which would protect North Carolinians’ freedom to practice their religious beliefs, without government interference?
| 63% | Total More Likely |
| 21% | Total Less Likely |
| 39% | Much More Likely |
| 24% | Somewhat More Likely |
| 6% | Somewhat Less Likely |
| 16% | Much Less Likely |
| 9% | No Difference |
| 7% | Don’t Know/ Refused |
*Total may not add up to 100 due to rounding.
Crosstabs here.
About the poll: This poll of 600 registered voters in North Carolina was conducted May 5-7, 2015 by National Research, Inc., of Holmdel, NJ. All respondents were part of a fully representative sample of registered general election voters in North Carolina. Thirty percent of the respondents were cell phone-only users. For purposes of this study, voters interviewed had to have voted in at least one of the past two general elections (2012, 2014) or be newly registered to vote since November 1, 2014. The confidence interval associated with a sample of this size is such that: 95 percent of the time, results from 600 interviews (registered voters) will be within +-4% of the “True Values.”
For more information or press inquiries, please contact Kami Mueller of the NC Values Coalition at (765)-215-1334 or kami.mueller@me.com, or Civitas Communications Director Jim Tynen at (919) 834-2099 or james.tynen@nccivitas.org.
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