Welcome to NAVIGATOR – a project designed to better understand the American public’s views on issues of the day and help advocates, elected officials, and other interested parties understand the language, imagery, and messaging needed to make and win key policy arguments.
This release features findings from a national online survey of 1,001 registered voters conducted July 30 – August 3, 2020.
Key takeaways
- A majority oppose delaying the election and say that Trump’s tweets are just him trying to cast doubts on its legitimacy in case he loses.
- Democrats are favored on relations between police and the black community and protecting law and order over Trump.
- Nearly half say that Trump’s tweet about preventing low income housing in the suburbs is an effort by him to pit Americans against each other on racial issues.
Republicans Worried Mail Ballots “Won’t Get Counted”
After Trump has railed against mail voting, Republicans are especially likely to say they won’t vote by mail because of concerns about the process.
- Nearly half of Americans say they will vote by mail or absentee ballot in the fall, including six in ten Democrats.
Nearly Two in Three Oppose Delaying the Election Due to Expanded Mail Voting
In spite of Trump’s recent tweets, almost two-thirds oppose delaying the election due to expanded mail voting.
Why Trump Tweeted About Election Delay: He’s Worried About Losing
The top motivation Americans see in Trump’s “delay” remark is they think he is hedging in case he loses in November and needs to cast doubt on the result.
Trump Losing to Congressional Democrats on Both Police-Community Relations and Protecting Law and Order
Democrats in Congress have a double-digit lead over the president on trust to handle relations between police and the black community and a 3-point lead over the president on protecting law and order.
- Among African Americans, Congressional Democrats have a 73-point lead on handling relations between police and the black community (80%/7%) and a 69-point lead on protecting law and order (77%/8%).
Nearly Half Say Trump Tweet About Low Income Housing in Suburbs is an Effort to Divide on Racial Issues
Almost half say that this tweet is an effort by Trump to pit Americans against each other on issues of race.
- Among suburban Americans, 48% say this is an effort to pit Americans against each other on racial issues.
Beyoncé and LeBron Popular Among Plurality of Americans
Ratings of both figures are positive, with more than two in five favorable to Beyoncé and half favorable towards LeBron, with higher levels of popularity for each among Democrats and independents.
- Comparatively, the president is net -17 (41% favorable/58% unfavorable).
