Politics

South Dakota Senate: Rounds (R) 45%, Weiland (D) 31%, Pressler (I) 20%

Another situation like Kansas appears unlikely in South Dakota where Republican Mike Rounds is now holding off an independent challenger and has a double-digit lead over Democrat Rick Weiland in the final week of the state's U.S. Senate race.

Rounds now picks up 45% of the vote to Weiland’s 31% in a new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely South Dakota Voters. Republican-turned-Independent Larry Pressler captures 21% of the vote. Three percent (3%) are undecided at this point (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 750 Likely Voters in South Dakota was conducted on June 4-5, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Colorado Governor: Beauprez (R) 49%, Hickenlooper (D) 47%

It appears that Colorado’s gubernatorial race is set to be a photo finish.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Colorado Voters shows Republican challenger Bob Beauprez picking up 49% of the vote to incumbent Democrat John Hickenlooper’s 47%. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, while two percent (2%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 966 Likely Voters in Colorado was conducted on October 21-23, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Whites Are Much More Likely Than Blacks to See A Divided America

Going into Election Day, white voters are nearly twice as likely as blacks to believe America is a more divided nation than it was four years ago. For one-in-three of all voters, President Obama is what this election is all about.

Sixty-one percent (61%) of Likely U.S. Voters say America is a more divided nation than it was at the time of the last midterm elections in 2010, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s down slightly from 67% in mid-July. Nine percent (9%) say the nation is less divided now, while 28% believe the level of division is about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 25-26, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. 

Colorado Senate: Gardner (R) 51%, Udall (D) 45%

Colorado is home to one of the most crucial races for Republicans to take control of the U.S. Senate, and it appears to be slipping away from Democratic Senator Mark Udall in the final stretch.

Republican Cory Gardner now picks up 51% of the vote to Udall’s 45% in the latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Colorado Voters. Two percent (2%) like some other candidate in the race, while two percent (2%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The survey of 966 Likely Voters in Colorado was conducted on October 21-23, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Wary of Lone Wolves, Radical Islamic Terrorism

Following two deadly incidents in Canada that appear terrorist related, U.S. voters feel more strongly that radical Islamic terrorism is a threat to this country but also acknowledge overwhelmingly that not all so-called “lone wolf” attacks can be prevented.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 86% of Likely U.S. Voters now consider radical Islamic terrorism a threat to the United States. That’s up 11 points from January. Twelve percent (12%) disagree. This includes 50% who say this terrorism is a Very Serious threat and only three percent (3%) who feel it is Not At All a threat. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 23-24, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Michigan Senate: Peters (D) 51%, Land (R) 42%

Democratic Congressman Gary Peters has pulled further ahead of Republican Terri Lynn Land in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race, likely putting an end to GOP hopes for a pickup there.

Peters now earns 51% of the vote to Land’s 42% in the latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Michigan Voters. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters in Michigan was conducted on October 20-22, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Kansas Governor: Davis (D) 52%, Brownback (R) 45%

Democratic challenger Paul Davis remains ahead of incumbent Republican Sam Brownback in the race for Kansas governor.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Kansas Voters finds Davis with 52% of the vote to Brownback’s 45%. Just one percent (1%) prefers some other candidate, and two percent (2%) are still undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 960 Likely Voters in Kansas was conducted on October 20-21, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Michigan Governor: Snyder (R) 49%, Schauer (D) 46%

Incumbent Republican Rick Snyder still holds a narrow lead in Michigan’s gubernatorial race.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters in Michigan was conducted on October 20-22, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Are Arguing Less This Election Cycle

Americans may consider this a more divided country than four years ago, but they’re arguing about it a lot less than they were before the 2012 election.

Twenty percent (20%) of American Adults say they have gotten into a heated argument with a friend of family member about the upcoming election, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. But that compares to 45% in late October 2012. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 22-23, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

54% Think U.S. Society is Fair and Decent

Voters continue to think American society is generally fair and decent and a large majority maintain that those who immigrate here should adopt the culture.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely U.S. Voters think American society is generally fair and decent. This finding is down four points from July and is the lowest finding since July 2007. Prior to 2013, belief that American society was fair and decent regularly ran in the low-to-mid 60s. Thirty-three percent (33%) say American society is generally unfair and discriminatory, up slightly from last month. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The national telephone survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on October 9-10, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Illinois Governor: Rauner (R) 48%, Quinn (D) 47%

The Illinois governor's race is still tight with less than two weeks to go.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Illinois Voters finds Republican Bruce Rauner with 48% support to incumbent Democrat Pat Quinn's 47%. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, while four percent (4%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters in Illinois was conducted on October 20-22, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Kansas Senate: Orman (I) 49%, Roberts (R) 44%

Independent Greg Orman still holds a five-point lead over incumbent Republican Pat Roberts in Kansas’ unexpectedly competitive U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Kansas Voters shows Orman with 49% support to Roberts’ 44%. Three percent (3%) like another candidate in the race, while five percent (5%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Ninety percent (90%) of the state’s voters say they are certain to vote in this election, and among these voters, it’s Orman 50%, Roberts 46%.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 960 Likely Voters in Kansas was conducted on October 20-21, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Strongly Support Limits on Food Stamp Recipients

Beginning next year, Indiana will limit how long some can get food stamps, and voters nationwide strongly support similar limits in their state. Just over half favor fixing a deadline for how long people can receive federal public assistance benefits of any kind.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% of Likely U.S. Voters favor a program like Indiana’s in their state that would limit access to food stamps to three months for adults without children who do not find work or do not participate in a 20-hour-a-week job training program. Only 24% oppose such limits in their state, while 12% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on October 21-22, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Wisconsin Governor: Burke (D) 49%, Walker (R) 48%

The Wisconsin governor’s race remains up for grabs going into the final stretch.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Wisconsin Voters finds Democratic challenger Mary Burke with 49% support to incumbent Republican Scott Walker’s 48%. One percent (1%) like another candidate in the race, and two percent (2%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 973 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on October 20-21, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Less Sour Toward Government Work

A modest plurality of U.S. voters now thinks the best and brightest should work for the government, though most still don’t believe doing so is more honorable than working in the private sector.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of Likely U.S. Voters believe it’s better for America if the best people take government jobs. Thirty-three percent (33%) disagree and think it’s better for the country if those people go to work in the private sector instead. Another 28% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on October 19-20, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Arizona Governor: Ducey (R) 47%, DuVal (D) 42%

Republican Doug Ducey has pulled ahead of Democrat Fred DuVal in the closing weeks of Arizona’s gubernatorial contest.

Ducey now picks up 47% of the vote to DuVal’s 42% in a new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Arizona Voters. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, while seven percent (7%) are undecided at this point. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,056 Likely Voters in Arizona was conducted on October 14-16, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Florida Governor: Scott (R) 47%, Crist (D) 47%

“Fangate” jokes aside, Florida’s gubernatorial race remains a dead heat in the home stretch.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Florida Voters finds current Republican Governor Rick Scott and former Republican Governor Charlie Crist, now a Democrat, each picking up 47% of the vote. Two percent (2%) prefer some other candidate, while four percent (4%) remain undecided. (To survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,114 Likely Voters in Florida was conducted on October 15-17, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Massachusetts Voters Are Cool to Elizabeth Warren for President

Most Massachusetts voters like first-term Senator Elizabeth Warren, but that doesn't mean they’d vote for her if she ran for president.

Just 22% believe that Warren should run for president in 2016, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Massachusetts Voters. Fifty-eight percent (58%) think that’s a bad idea, but 20% are undecided. (To see question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 980 Likely Voters in Massachusetts was conducted on October 13-14, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Kentucky Senate: McConnell (R) 52%, Grimes (D) 44%

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has crossed the 50% mark now in his bid for reelection in Kentucky.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Kentucky Voters finds McConnell with 52% support to Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes’ 44%. Two percent (2%) prefer another candidate in the race, and three percent (3%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters in Kentucky was conducted on October 15-16, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Worry ISIS Is Winning in Iraq

Few voters believe the United States and its allies are winning the war against the radical Islamic State militants, but a strong majority remains confident that ultimate victory is likely.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 15% of Likely U.S. Voters believe the United States and its allies are winning the war in Iraq. Forty-two percent (42%) believe ISIS is winning, while 31% say neither side holds the advantage. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on October 15-16, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.