Thread: Poll: Ohioans united on most immigration issues

Poll: Ohioans united on most immigration issues


Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 11:54 AM EST
Courier of Cincinnati
www.bizjournals.com


Ohio might be a swing state for next year's presidential election, but its voters are decidedly less split on the immigration controversy, a new poll indicates.

The latest Quinnipiac University Poll, which surveyed 1,231 Ohio voters between Nov. 6 and 11, found that 84 percent believe the government should not issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, while 86 percent of surveyed voters oppose providing illegal immigrants with government-subsidized health insurance. The strongest majority in the poll, 88 percent, came from support for the government requiring employers to verify the validity of Social Security numbers used to gain employment.

Voters were only slightly less united on issues such as a proposed U.S./Mexican border fence and immigrant education, but results never played out in a dead heat as seen in recent presidential election polls. Sixty-one percent of respondents opposed providing a free public education to the children of illegal immigrants, while 60 percent said they support a fence along the Mexican border to reduce illegal immigration.

When given the hypothetical power to retain or deport an immigrant who has worked in the United States for at least two years, 55 percent of respondents said they'd allow the immigrant to work toward obtaining legal status while 38 favored deportation.

While a third of surveyed Ohio voters said they come into everyday contact with illegal immigrants, 40 percent said they don't while another 27 percent were unsure.

In the same poll, Gov. Ted Strickland's approval rating hit 61 percent for the second time this year, the current high for his term. The most recent poll showed that 15 percent of respondents disapproved of the way Strickland is handling his job. Along party lines, Republicans were split 51 percent to 21 percent in favor of the governor while Democrats were split 74-9. Voters' approval of Ohio's legislature hit its highest point this year with 41 percent approval and 32 percent disapproval. Democrats and Republicans responded almost identically.

found that 84 percent believe the government should not issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, while 86 percent of surveyed voters oppose providing illegal immigrants with government-subsidized health insurance. The strongest majority in the poll, 88 percent, came from support for the government requiring employers to verify the validity of Social Security numbers used to gain employment.

I think most Americans feel the same way

This made it to p. B5, in the Columbus Dispatch -

Most Ohio voters upset by illegal immigrants
Issue has potential to affect state races in 2008 elections
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 3:40 AM
By Darrel Rowland and Jim Siegel

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Click to enlargeGive us your tired, your poor -- but keep your illegal immigrants, Ohioans say in a new poll by Quinnipiac University.

While you're at it, don't give them government-funded health insurance, education, welfare, food stamps or driver's licenses. And, by the way, finish building that fence along the Mexican border, too.

That pretty much sums up the overwhelming sentiments of Ohioans in the Connecticut university's survey of 1,231 registered voters from Nov. 6 through Sunday. Such views are typical of attitudes in most states, said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac Polling Institute.

"These numbers are probably not different than they would be for the rest of the country," he said.

The strong opinions hold potential danger for Democratic candidates; stumbling on this issue could offset their current advantages with voters on the Iraq war and the economy, Brown said.

The issue even is roiling Ohio House races, which are expected to generate vigorous campaigns next year because Democrats have their first realistic chance in more than a decade of regaining control.

For example, in the 91st district southeast of Columbus, Republican William C. Hayes of Pataskala has been riding in parades with a sign saying, "America: One Language, one Loyalty & one flag."

Hayes is attempting to unseat Rep. Dan Dodd, D-Hebron, in a rematch of their bitter 2006 campaign.

"Immigration is fine if you do it the right way," Hayes said. "We've let it get totally out of control. The issue affects jobs. I think it is important to Ohio, even though we are not a border state."

Dodd said although he's been asked during town-hall meetings in the district about federal immigration issues, he has yet to hear a single question about what Ohio is going to do about immigration.

"In terms of how that plays out in an election, I'm not sure it's as much about the substance as the emotion," he said. "Clearly, it's an emotional topic for a lot of people. But in terms of putting forward (state) policies that are really going to make a difference, I'd be surprised if I saw that happen."

House Speaker Jon Husted said Ohio races will play a secondary role to what happens on the issue in federal elections.

"What those candidates say and do about immigration will have the largest impact on people's position on whether Republicans or Democrats are handling the issue better," said the Republican from Kettering.

The issue of illegal immigrants obtaining driver's licenses got new life after a Democratic presidential debate last week over New York's policy allowing them.

Ohio does not have a similar provision. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles requires three forms of identification, at least one of which is available only to U.S. citizens or holders of federal immigration documents. No such identification is required, however, to register a car.

Dispatch reporter James Nash contributed to this story.

drowland@dispatch.com

jsiegel@dispatch.com

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