Adam Beitman, adam.beitman@sierraclub.org
** VIEW MORE POLL DETAILS AT MORNING CONSULT **
WASHINGTON, DC - As a number of candidates suspend their campaigns, and ahead of a historic CNN Town Hall devoted to the climate crisis, climate voters’ support for Elizabeth Warren (21%, +1) and Bernie Sanders (20%, +4) is strengthening. Joe Biden continues to lead the pack with climate voters at a stable 30% as the Sierra Club releases the third round of its tracking poll conducted by Morning Consult. Kamala Harris saw a significant drop in support from climate voters since the second round, falling from 13% to 7% (-6).
When a closer look is taken at climate voters, the third round of polling by Morning Consult found that among those climate voters who said climate action should be the presidential candidates’ “top priority”, the ranking is consistent, but Biden's lead narrows: Biden (27%), Warren (21%), Sanders (21%).
When asked “If a Democratic presidential candidate released a more ambitious plan to address climate change than your top choice currently has, would you consider voting for that candidate?” 76% of climate voters say yes, they would consider switching their vote. Only 7% say they would not. Among Democratic likely voters overall, a full 66% say they would consider switching their vote, and only 11% say they would not.
POLL FINDS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR AMBITIOUS CLIMATE POLICY
For the first time, the third round of the tracking poll by Morning Consult tested support amongst likely Democratic primary voters for a series of ambitious climate and environmental policies presidential candidate could take.
“Voters are demanding strong and increasingly ambitious climate action, and the CNN town hall is a perfect opportunity to hear from candidates about how they will meet this moment as President and beyond” said Sierra Club National Political Director Ariel Hayes. “Climate voters are still up for grabs, so the time is now to make the case.”
ON THE ISSUES -- AMBITION BY THE NUMBERS:
Powering the nation with 100% clean, renewable energy sources like wind and solar by the year 2030 or sooner
90% of likely Democratic voters support, including 61% who support it “strongly.”
Re-joining the Paris climate agreement, an international agreement designed to tackle climate change
85% of likely Democratic voters support, including 64% who support it “strongly.”
A comprehensive national plan to tackle the twin crises of climate change and inequality by investing in the clean energy economy and transforming our energy system
88% of likely Democratic voters support, including 58% who support it “strongly.”
Using every possible legal and regulatory lever available to a president to advance climate action
86% of likely Democratic voters support, including 52% who support it “strongly.”
Making climate action the number one priority of the United States government
79% of likely Democratic voters support, including 38% who support it “strongly.”
Rejecting political donations from the fossil fuel industry and other corporate polluters
77% of likely Democratic voters support, including 51% who support it “strongly.”
Strengthening the Endangered Species Act, which protects wildlife, plants, and fish that are in danger of extinction
90% of likely democratic voters support, including 63% who support it “strongly.”
SUPPORT FOR A DNC CLIMATE DEBATE STAYS STRONG
Despite the DNC’s rejection of a climate debate, spearheaded by DNC chair Tom Perez, the Sierra Club’s poll finds that a full 82% of climate voters support holding a dedicated climate debate. Overall, 68% of likely Democratic primary voters still agree.
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POLLING DETAILS AND SAMPLE SIZE
Morning Consult conducted the third wave of this tracking poll for the Sierra Club from August 26-29, 2019. They surveyed 1,500 likely Democratic voters online, and reported the results for the 915 climate voters (61%), defined for the purpose of this survey as voters who say that the candidates’ climate plans are “very” important in their choice of who to vote for. Results of the poll have a margin of error of +/-3 percentage points.
Morning Consult will continue to conduct the 2020 Climate Voter Tracking Poll for Sierra Club over the coming months.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.