From Wednesday’s Q Poll:
Fresh from a bruising but victorious reelection battle, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy has weak support from Democrats, women and young voters, leaving him with a negative 43 – 47 percent score, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.
This compares to a 48 – 46 percent approval rating in a May 9 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.
In today’s poll, men disapprove 52 – 40 percent, while women are divided, with 45 percent approving and 43 percent disapproving. Disapproval is 78 – 17 percent among Republicans and 54 – 36 percent among independent voters, while Democrats approve 64 – 22 percent, an anemic score for same party approval.
While 50 percent of Connecticut voters are optimistic about the next four years with Malloy as governor, 44 percent are pessimistic.
“Gov. Dannel Malloy starts his second term in the hole. It is the first time he has been in negative territory since a June 2012 poll,” said Quinnipiac University Poll Director Douglas Schwartz, PhD.
“When a Democrat scores only 64 percent among Democrats and is under 50 percent among the base, women and young people, you know he is in trouble.”
“Half of Connecticut voters say they are optimistic about the next four years with Gov. Malloy. But 44 percent remain gloomy, probably because of the economy. About two thirds say the economy is in bad shape, and only about 1 in 5 says it’s getting better.”
A total of 47 percent of voters are “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with the way things are going in Connecticut, as 53 percent are “somewhat dissatisfied” or “very dissatisfied.”
In an open-ended question, allowing for any answer, 22 percent of Connecticut voters list the economy/jobs as the top priority for Gov. Malloy and the State Legislature, while 18 percent list taxes. The governor gets a negative 35 – 57 percent approval for the way he is handling the economy/jobs and a negative 29 – 64 percent for handling taxes.
Casinos, Marijuana, Assisted Suicide, Highway Tolls
Voters say 62 – 29 percent that the current legal gambling in Connecticut is good for the state. No party, gender or age group disagrees. But voters say 75 – 20 percent there should not be more casinos in Connecticut. Again, no party, gender or age group disagrees.
Voters oppose 59 – 36 percent a more limited proposal to allow the two Native American tribes which currently operate casinos in the state to open new smaller casinos near New York and Massachusetts. Only voters 18 to 34 years old support the idea, 54 – 46 percent.
Connecticut voters support 63 – 34 percent allowing adults to legally possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Voters also support 67 – 28 percent reducing the penalties of small amounts of illegal drugs for personal use from a felony to a misdemeanor.
By an overwhelming 82 – 15 percent margin, voters support elimination of mandatory minimum sentences for possession of small amounts of illegal drugs, and allowing judges to decide sentences on a case by case basis.
Voters support 63 – 31 percent allowing doctors to legally prescribe lethal drugs to help terminally ill patients end their own lives. All party, age and gender groups support the idea, including voters over 55 years old, who support it 59 – 34 percent.
Voters oppose 61 – 36 percent putting tolls on state highways, with opposition from all party, age and gender groups.But voters support tolls 59 – 40 percent if the money is used to repair the state’s roads and bridges. There is little difference among Democrats, Republicans and independent voters.
“Voters think gambling in Connecticut is good for the state, but they don’t want more casinos. Three quarters oppose more casinos in general and nearly 60 percent oppose specific legislation to allow two Native-American tribes to open new smaller casinos,” Dr. Schwartz said.
From March 6 – 9, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,235 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.
