Adam Beitman, adam.beitman@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC - Joe Biden (31%, +1 point) holds steady in a narrowing lead among climate voters as the Sierra Club releases the fourth round of its tracking poll conducted by Morning Consult. In the wake of high profile candidate climate forums, climate voters’ support for Elizabeth Warren (25%, +4 percentage points from last month) continues to rise, positioning her solidly as these voters’ #2 pick. Overall, Bernie Sanders stays in place at #3 among climate voters with 19% (-1 point). When first and second choice preferences are added together, Warren narrowly edges out Biden among climate voters (Warren with 49%, Biden with 47%).
Compared with the first round of the 2020 climate voter tracking poll in late June, Sanders is stable with 19% of the vote, Warren has risen 10 percentage points (from a 15% baseline) and Biden has fallen 6 points (from a 37% baseline).
PERCENTAGE OF “CLIMATE VOTERS” RISES:
The percentage of likely Democratic voters who now qualify as “climate voters” in the tracking poll has gone up significantly, with a full 62% (+6 percentage points since the first round of polling in late June) now saying that that the presidential candidates’ climate plans are a “very important” factor in their choice of who to vote for.
CANDIDATE AMBITION A KEY CONSIDERATION:
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?,” an overwhelming 76% of climate voters say yes, they would consider switching their vote. Only 7% say they would not. This finding is consistent with what Morning Consult found last month.
“Climate voters -- the overwhelming majority of Democratic primary voters -- are urging candidates to put climate action at the top of their priority lists and to increase their ambition” said Sierra Club National Political Director Ariel Hayes. “Even more significant? They are prepared to change their votes when they see that happening.”
POLL FINDS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR AMBITIOUS CLIMATE POLICY
The fourth round of the tracking poll by Morning Consult continued to test support amongst likely Democratic primary voters for bold climate positions presidential candidates could take.
Key findings reinforce results showing overwhelming support from the previous round of polling:
- Powering the nation with 100% clean, renewable energy sources like wind and solar by the year 2030 or sooner
87% of likely Democratic voters support, including 60% 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
86% of likely Democratic voters support, including 56% who support it “strongly.”
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POLLING DETAILS AND SAMPLE SIZE
Morning Consult conducted the fourth wave of this tracking poll for the Sierra Club from September 24-30, 2019. They surveyed 1,500 likely Democratic voters online, and reported the results for the 936 climate voters (62%), 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.