Adam Beitman, adam.beitman@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC - The race to capture Climate Voters is steady as the three leading candidates maintain stable positions, including Joe Biden (32%, +1 point from last month) Elizabeth Warren (24%, -1 point) and Bernie Sanders (18%, -1 point). The most significant movement in the 5th round of the Morning Consult poll for the Sierra Club finds Pete Buttigieg rising to fourth place (11%, +6 points).
CANDIDATE AMBITION REMAINS 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 77% of climate voters say yes, they would consider switching their vote.
ISSUE POLLING -- WIDE SUPPORT AMONG LIKELY DEMOCRATIC VOTERS FOR SUITE OF CLIMATE & DEMOCRACY POLICIES
The fifth round of the tracking poll by Morning Consult continued to test support amongst the full sample of 1900 likely Democratic primary voters for bold climate and democracy positions that presidential candidates could take. The poll found overwhelming support for the range of positions.
“Democratic voters overwhelmingly support ambitious policies to tackle the climate crisis, grow the clean energy economy, and restore our democracy,” said Sierra Club National Political Director Ariel Hayes. “Climate voters, a huge slice of the Democratic electorate, are also making clear that they may change their pick for President based on the levels of ambition and prioritization they hear from the candidates.”
NEW ISSUE POLLING AMONG 1,900 LIKELY DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY VOTERS' SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENTIAL POLICIES:
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Creating and expanding clean energy tax incentives to boost the wind, solar, energy efficiency, and energy storage industries
89% of likely Democratic voters support, including 57% who support it “strongly.”
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Rebuilding the nation’s crumbling infrastructure in ways that make us more resilient to the consequences of the climate crisis, while creating millions of family-sustaining jobs
90% of likely Democratic voters support, including 61% who support it “strongly.”
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Getting corporate polluter money and influence out of politics by implementing small donor public financing
77% of likely Democratic voters support, including 48% who support it “strongly.”
Separately, key findings reinforce results showing overwhelming support from previous rounds of polling:
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Powering the nation with 100% clean, renewable energy sources like wind and solar by the year 2030 or sooner
88% of likely Democratic voters support, including 56% who support it “strongly.”
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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
87% of likely Democratic voters support, including 52% who support it “strongly.”
POLLING DETAILS AND SAMPLE SIZE
Morning Consult conducted the fifth wave of this tracking poll for the Sierra Club from November 8-12, 2019. They surveyed 1,900 likely Democratic voters online, and reported the results for the 1075 climate voters (57%), 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 +/-2 percentage points.
Morning Consult will continue to conduct the 2020 Climate Voter Tracking Poll for Sierra Club over the coming months.
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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.