Results for October 6 – October 9, 2014
Executive Summary
Winter Springs, Fla. – Gravis Marketing; a non-partisan marketing research company based in Winter Springs, Fla. recently conducted a random survey of 784 likely registered voters in Maryland. The poll focused on currently Federal Political polling inquiries along with several questions regarding upcoming political match-ups in the State of Maryland that will be contested during the upcoming general election on November 4th, 2014. The Gravis Marketing poll carries a margin of error of plus / minus 3.5 percent and was completed using Gravis Marketing IVR Telephone Technology.
The voters were first asked about their political affiliation to kick off the Gravis Marketing poll that was conducted from October 6th through October 9th. 57 percent of the 784 likely voters indicated they were registered Democrats, 27 percent were Republicans and 16 percent stated that they were Independent voters.
Federal Political Recap
The Federal polling questions asked of the potential registered voters were kicked off by gathering the pulse of the voters job approval numbers for President Barack Obama. In the State of Maryland where a large majority of those polled indicated they were members of the Democratic party, 45.4 percent stated they approve of the President’s job performance while a nearly identical percentage; 45.3 percent stated they disapprove. 9.3 percent of those polled were uncertain of their opinion of his job performance.
The scope of the Federal polling questions then focused on potential match-ups for the 2016 Presidential Campaign – with Democrat Hillary Clinton pairing off against Sen. Rand Paul, Sen. Paul Ryan and Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush – all of whom are aligned as Republican potential candidates in 2016. When asked to choose between Clinton or Paul Ryan, 51 percent indicated they would currently vote for Clinton, 36 percent would support the Republican Senator from Wisconsin while 13 percent were currently unsure.
When comparing Clinton with Rand Paul, the same 51 percent of the pollsters supported Clinton, Rand Paul captured 34 percent support and 15 percent were unsure. Finally – the potential race between Clinton and Bush showed the largest gap – with Clinton capturing 52 percent to Bush’s 35 percent support. Only 13 percent of those polled were uncertain as to whom they would vote for in 2016.
The voters were also asked about potential ways to stimulate the economy when the Gravis Marketing Poll asked them; “Given the choice, would you rather see Congress: 1) raise the minimum wage, 2) cut the payroll tax for all working Americans, or 3) increase tax credits for some low-income Americans.” 47 percent believe that lowering the payroll tax for all working Americans would be the best solution, 43 percent stated a raise of the Federal Minimum wage would be prudent while 10 percent indicated support for increasing tax credits for some low-income Americans.
State of Maryland Political Polling Recap
The State of Maryland polling was highlighted by a surprisingly close run off for the Governor position between Larry Hogan and Anthony Brown. When asked; “If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were Republican Larry Hogan and Democrat Anthony Brown, whom would you vote for,” 46 percent stated they would vote for Brown, 43 percent indicated support for the Republican candidate Hogan and 11 percent were unsure.
Voters in Maryland were then asked about their stance on the race for Comptroller in the State of Maryland. “If the election for Comptroller were held today and the candidates were Republican William Campbell and Democrat Peter Franchot, whom would you vote for?” 54 percent of those polled indicated support for the Democratic candidate Franchot, 30 percent stated they would vote for Campbell and 16 percent remain undecided with just a few weeks remaining before the upcoming November 4th, 2014 General Election.
How likely are you to vote in the General Election on November 4, 2014?
Do approve or disapprove of President Obama’s job performance?
If the election for Governor were held today and the candidates were Republican Larry Hogan and Democrat Anthony Brown, whom would you vote for?
If the election for Comptroller were held today and the candidates were Republican William Campbell and Democrat Peter Franchot, whom would you vote for?
If the election for President were held today and the candidates were Republican Paul Ryan and Democrat Hillary Clinton, whom would you vote for?
If the election for President were held today and the candidates were Republican Rand Paul and Democrat Hillary Clinton, whom would you vote for?
If the election for President were held today and the candidates were Republican Jeb Bush and Democrat Hillary Clinton, whom would you vote for?
Are you comfortable with federal authorities bringing illegal aliens into Maryland from the Mexican border?
Given the choice, would you rather see Congress: 1) raise the minimum wage, 2) cut the payroll tax for all working Americans, or 3) increase tax credits for some low-income Americans.
With regard to the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, do you think the police officer was justified or at fault?
The following questions are for demographic purposes.
What is your political party affiliation?
Are you or is a member of your immediate family from a Latino, Hispanic or Spanish speaking background?
What race do you identify yourself as?
Which of the following best represents your religious affiliation?
What is the highest level of education you have completed?
How old are you?
What is your gender?
Note: the polls were conducted using automated telephone and the results weighed according to anticipated voting demographics.