{"id":40802250175,"date":"2021-09-27T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-27T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/?post_type=poll&p=40802250175"},"modified":"2021-09-27T11:32:45","modified_gmt":"2021-09-27T15:32:45","slug":"monmouthpoll_va_092721","status":"publish","type":"poll","link":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/reports\/monmouthpoll_va_092721\/","title":{"rendered":"Stable Governor\u2019s Race"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

West Long Branch, NJ<\/em> \u2013 Democrat Terry McAuliffe maintains a small lead over Republican Glenn Youngkin according to the latest Monmouth <\/em><\/strong>(<\/em><\/strong>\u201cMon-muth\u201d<\/em><\/strong>) <\/em><\/strong>University Poll<\/em><\/strong> of the Virginia governor\u2019s race. There has been very little movement in the race over the past month, but there is some potential volatility among voters in the central part of the commonwealth. Overall, McAuliffe holds an advantage on handling issues that are priorities for a great number of voters, particularly the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just under half (48%) of registered voters currently support McAuliffe while 43% back Youngkin. This is virtually unchanged from the Democrat\u2019s 47% to 42% lead in Monmouth\u2019s August poll. McAuliffe continues to have an advantage among voters of color \u2013 83% to 3% among Black voters and 53% to 28% among Latinos, Asians, and multiracial voters. Youngkin holds a large 57% to 36% lead among white voters, but there is a split based on education. His lead with this group is largely due to white voters without a bachelor\u2019s degree (66% to 28% for McAuliffe). White college graduates prefer McAuliffe (50% to 43% for Youngkin).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking at regional support, McAuliffe enjoys a large advantage in Northern Virginia (58% to 29%) and the eastern Tidewater region (56% to 34%). The Democrat\u2019s 29-point NoVa lead is identical to his 29-point lead there in August (56% to 27%) while his 22-point Tidewater lead is up from 13 points (50% to 37%). Youngkin has a 24-point lead in western Virginia (58% to 34%), which is similar to his 30-point lead there last month (61% to 31%). Support in the central part of the commonwealth along the I-95 corridor has flipped. Youngkin holds a 51% to 40% edge in this region, whereas McAuliffe had a 53% to 43% lead there in August. Four years ago, incumbent Gov. Ralph Northam won NoVa by 35 points (67% to 32%), the Tidewater area by 13 points (56% to 43%) and the central region by 9 points (54% to 45%), while losing western Virginia by 23 points (38% to 61%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe central spine around Richmond appears to be the area with the greatest potential for actually swaying voters. Throughout most of Virginia, though, it\u2019s more a matter of turning out the respective party\u2019s bases,\u201d said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A range of potential electorate scenarios* shows McAuliffe ahead by anywhere from 3 points (48% to 45%) to 7 points (50% to 43%) depending on the likely voter model. Youngkin does better when more low-propensity voters are included in the mix. Specifically, McAuliffe has a lead among voters who have cast ballots in every general election since 2016 (51% to 44%) and those who participated in 4 of the last 5 general elections (49% to 43%). Among those who voted in only 2 or 3 elections and are considered less reliable voters, the race is much closer (44% for McAuliffe and 42% for Youngkin).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the potential electorate is limited to voters who cast ballots in the 2017 gubernatorial election, McAuliffe holds a 51% to 43% margin, which is nearly identical to the winning Democratic margin that year. Youngkin does have an advantage among voters who describe themselves as being more enthusiastic about this year\u2019s race compared to past gubernatorial elections. The Republican nominee has a 57% to 40% lead among this group, which makes up 33% of all registered voters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYoungkin seems to do better if the turnout is unusually high, while McAuliffe does better if turnout is just slightly above average for a gubernatorial race. Youngkin has an enthusiasm advantage, but the problem with enthusiasm is that it\u2019s not always a good barometer for turnout, particularly when early voting and mail balloting options make it easier for less engaged voters to turn out,\u201d said Murray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
VIRGINIA: ELECTORATE SCENARIOS<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Governor vote<\/em><\/strong>
choice:<\/em><\/strong><\/td>		Registered
voters<\/td>		Range of
electorate models<\/td><\/tr>
September<\/u><\/em><\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td><\/tr>
McAuliffe<\/td>48%<\/td>48%<\/td>50%<\/td><\/tr>
Youngkin<\/td>43%<\/td>45%<\/td>43%<\/td><\/tr>
August<\/u><\/em><\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td><\/tr>
McAuliffe<\/td>47%<\/td>47%<\/td>49%<\/td><\/tr>
Youngkin<\/td>42%<\/td>45%<\/td>42%<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td> <\/td> <\/td> <\/td><\/tr>

<\/td>		Source:\u00a0 <\/em>Monmouth University Poll<\/em><\/a>, Sep. 22-26, 2021<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

Monmouth\u2019s August poll found Virginia voters have a wide range of policy concerns<\/a>, but when asked in the current poll to choose the most important consideration from a list of seven policy areas, no single issue emerges. The top issues chosen as either a first or second choice for the most important factor in Virginians\u2019 vote for governor are jobs and the economy (39%), the Covid pandemic (32%), and education and schools (31%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among these top three issues, McAuliffe has a clear advantage on being trusted more to handle the pandemic (41% to 28% for Youngkin) and a smaller edge on handling education and schools (37% to 33% for Youngkin). Virginia voters are evenly divided as to whether they trust Youngkin (36%) or McAuliffe (35%) more when it comes to jobs and the economy. These results are largely unchanged from last month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The poll also finds that Virginia voters seem more aligned with the Democrat than the Republican on key pandemic policy positions. Specifically, 6 in 10 support reinstating face mask and social distancing guidelines (62%) and having a statewide Covid vaccine requirement for people in certain professions, such as health care workers and school teachers (59%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

McAuliffe also has an issue advantage on handling abortion (40% to 32%) and race relations (39% to 28%). Youngkin has a trust edge on handling police and law enforcement issues (39% to 33%) and taxes (37% to 33%). Each of these policy areas is a top-two concern for about 1 in 5 voters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMcAuliffe has the edge on issues that are important to a greater number of voters than Youngkin does. This is true in each of the likely electorate models we examined as well as among all registered voters,\u201d said Murray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The major party nominees earn similar personal ratings from Virginia voters \u2013 40% favorable to 33% unfavorable for McAuliffe and 40% favorable to 31% unfavorable for Youngkin. About 3 in 10 voters (29%) say McAuliffe\u2019s political views are in line with most Virginians and 24% say he is out of step, while 48% are not sure. For Youngkin, 24% say his views are in line with the state and 25% say they are out of step, while 51% are not sure. These results are largely unchanged from Monmouth\u2019s August poll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDespite a televised debate and a slew of campaign advertising over the past month, the needle has barely moved on how Virginia voters view these two candidates,\u201d said Murray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Monmouth University Poll<\/em> was conducted by telephone from September 22 to 26, 2021 with 801 Virginia registered voters. The question results in this release have a margin of error of +\/- 3.5 percentage points. The poll was conducted by the Monmouth University Polling Institute in West Long Branch, NJ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*<\/sup><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 Monmouth\u2019s electorate models for the 2021 election are not forecasts. They are designed to present a range of reasonable outcomes based on voter intentions at this moment. Monmouth tests a variety of models where each registered voter is assigned a probabilistic weight between 0 and 1, based primarily on past voting history, with adjustments for self-reported likelihood to vote, motivation and other factors. Further adjustments are applied to the aggregate sample based on turnout propensities among different demographic groups (e.g. by race, gender, education). The two scenarios included in this report show the extreme ends of the range of possible outcomes from the model testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

QUESTIONS AND RESULTS     <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(* Some columns may not add to 100% due to rounding.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.<\/span>If the election for governor was today, would you vote for Glenn Youngkin the Republican, Terry McAuliffe the Democrat, or some other candidate? [NAMES WERE ROTATED] [If UNDECIDED: If you had to vote for one of the following candidates at this moment, who do you lean toward \u2013 Glenn Youngkin or Terry McAuliffe?]<\/span><\/p>\n
TREND: REGISTERED VOTERS <\/em>(with leaners<\/em>)<\/td>Sept.
2021<\/strong><\/td>		Aug.
2021<\/td><\/tr>
Glenn Youngkin<\/td>43%<\/strong><\/td>42%<\/td><\/tr>
Terry McAuliffe<\/td>48%<\/strong><\/td>47%<\/td><\/tr>
Other candidate<\/td>2%<\/strong><\/td>2%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) No one<\/td>1%<\/strong><\/td><1%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Undecided<\/td>7%<\/strong><\/td>9%<\/td><\/tr>
(n)<\/em><\/em><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/td>(802)<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

[QUESTIONS 2 & 3 WERE ROTATED<\/em>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.<\/span>Is your general impression of Glenn Youngkin very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable, or do you have no opinion?<\/span><\/p>\n
TREND: REGISTERED VOTERS<\/em><\/td>Sept.
2021<\/strong><\/td>		Aug.
2021<\/td><\/tr>
Very favorable<\/td>22%<\/strong><\/td>18%<\/td><\/tr>
Somewhat favorable<\/td>18%<\/strong><\/td>19%<\/td><\/tr>
Somewhat unfavorable<\/td>11%<\/strong><\/td>9%<\/td><\/tr>
Very unfavorable<\/td>20%<\/strong><\/td>18%<\/td><\/tr>
No opinion<\/td>28%<\/strong><\/td>35%<\/td><\/tr>
(n)<\/em><\/em><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/td>(802)<\/em><\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

3.<\/span>Is your general impression of Terry McAuliffe very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable, or do you have no opinion?<\/span><\/p>\n
TREND: REGISTERED VOTERS<\/em><\/td>Sept.
2021<\/strong><\/td>		Aug.
2021<\/td><\/tr>
Very favorable<\/td>21%<\/strong><\/td>20%<\/td><\/tr>
Somewhat favorable<\/td>19%<\/strong><\/td>19%<\/td><\/tr>
Somewhat unfavorable<\/td>9%<\/strong><\/td>12%<\/td><\/tr>
Very unfavorable<\/td>24%<\/strong><\/td>23%<\/td><\/tr>
No opinion<\/td>27%<\/strong><\/td>27%<\/td><\/tr>
(n)<\/em><\/em><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/td>(802)<\/em><\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

4.<\/span>Which one of the following issues is most important to you in deciding your vote for governor? Which is the second most important? [ITEMS WERE ROTATED<\/em>]<\/span><\/p>\n
 REGISTERED VOTERS<\/em><\/td>FIRST<\/strong>
CHOICE<\/strong><\/td>		SECOND<\/strong>
CHOICE<\/strong><\/td>
COMBINED<\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
The Covid pandemic<\/td>18%<\/strong><\/td>14%<\/strong><\/td>32%<\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Jobs and the economy<\/td>21%<\/strong><\/td>18%<\/strong><\/td>39%<\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Taxes<\/td>9%<\/strong><\/td>11%<\/strong><\/td>20%<\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Education and schools<\/td>14%<\/strong><\/td>17%<\/strong><\/td>31%<\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Race relations<\/td>7%<\/strong><\/td>10%<\/strong><\/td>17%<\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Police issues<\/td>9%<\/strong><\/td>11%<\/strong><\/td>20%<\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Abortion<\/td>11%<\/strong><\/td>9%<\/strong><\/td>20%<\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Other, none of these<\/td>7%<\/strong><\/td>—<\/strong><\/td>7%<\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) No answer<\/td>2%<\/strong><\/td>—<\/strong><\/td>2%<\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
   (n)<\/em><\/em><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

[QUESTIONS 5 – 11 WERE ROTATED<\/em>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5.<\/span>Who do you trust more on handling the Covid pandemic \u2013 Glenn Youngkin or Terry McAuliffe, or both equally? [NAMES WERE ROTATED<\/em>]<\/span><\/p>\n
TREND: REGISTERED VOTERS<\/em><\/td>Sept.
2021<\/strong><\/td>		Aug.
2021<\/td><\/tr>
Glenn Youngkin<\/td>28%<\/strong><\/td>26%<\/td><\/tr>
Terry McAuliffe<\/td>41%<\/strong><\/td>38%<\/td><\/tr>
Both equally<\/td>18%<\/strong><\/td>21%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Neither<\/td>5%<\/strong><\/td>7%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Don\u2019t know<\/td>7%<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>8%<\/td><\/tr>
(n)<\/em><\/em><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/td>(802)<\/em><\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

6.<\/span>Who do you trust more on jobs and the economy \u2013 Glenn Youngkin or Terry McAuliffe, or both equally? [NAMES WERE ROTATED<\/em>]<\/span><\/p>\n
TREND: REGISTERED VOTERS<\/em><\/td>Sept.
2021<\/strong><\/td>		Aug.
2021<\/td><\/tr>
Glenn Youngkin<\/td>36%<\/strong><\/td>35%<\/td><\/tr>
Terry McAuliffe<\/td>35%<\/strong><\/td>33%<\/td><\/tr>
Both equally<\/td>20%<\/strong><\/td>21%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Neither<\/td>3%<\/strong><\/td>3%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Don\u2019t know<\/td>6%<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>8%<\/td><\/tr>
(n)<\/em><\/em><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/td>(802)<\/em><\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

7.<\/span>Who do you trust more on race relations issues \u2013 Glenn Youngkin or Terry McAuliffe, or both equally? [NAMES WERE ROTATED<\/em>]<\/span><\/p>\n
TREND: REGISTERED VOTERS<\/em><\/td>Sept.
2021<\/strong><\/td>		Aug.
2021*<\/td><\/tr>
Glenn Youngkin<\/td>28%<\/strong><\/td>26%<\/td><\/tr>
Terry McAuliffe<\/td>39%<\/strong><\/td>35%<\/td><\/tr>
Both equally<\/td>20%<\/strong><\/td>23%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Neither<\/td>5%<\/strong><\/td>6%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Don\u2019t know<\/td>7%<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>10%<\/td><\/tr>
(n)<\/em><\/em><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/td>(802)<\/em><\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

            * August 2021 poll asked \u201cWho do you trust more on race issues\u2026.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

8.<\/span>Who do you trust more on education and schools \u2013 Glenn Youngkin or Terry McAuliffe, or both equally? [NAMES WERE ROTATED<\/em>]<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
TREND: REGISTERED VOTERS<\/em><\/td>Sept.
2021<\/strong><\/td>		Aug.
2021<\/td><\/tr>
Glenn Youngkin<\/td>33%<\/strong><\/td>31%<\/td><\/tr>
Terry McAuliffe<\/td>37%<\/strong><\/td>36%<\/td><\/tr>
Both equally<\/td>21%<\/strong><\/td>21%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Neither<\/td>3%<\/strong><\/td>5%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Don\u2019t know<\/td>6%<\/strong><\/strong><\/td>8%<\/td><\/tr>
(n)<\/em><\/em><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/td>(802)<\/em><\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

9.<\/span>Who do you trust more on issues involving the police and law enforcement \u2013 Glenn Youngkin or Terry McAuliffe, or both equally? [NAMES WERE ROTATED<\/em>]<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
REGISTERED VOTERS<\/em><\/td>Sept.
2021<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Glenn Youngkin<\/td>39%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Terry McAuliffe<\/td>33%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Both equally<\/td>17%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Neither<\/td>5%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Don\u2019t know<\/td>6%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
(n)<\/em><\/em><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

10.<\/span>Who do you trust more on the issue of abortion \u2013 Glenn Youngkin or Terry McAuliffe, or both equally? [NAMES WERE ROTATED<\/em>]<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
REGISTERED VOTERS<\/em><\/td>Sept.
2021<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Glenn Youngkin<\/td>32%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Terry McAuliffe<\/td>40%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Both equally<\/td>14%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Neither<\/td>4%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Don\u2019t know<\/td>10%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
(n)<\/em><\/em><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

11.<\/span>Who do you trust more on taxes \u2013 Glenn Youngkin or Terry McAuliffe, or both equally? [NAMES WERE ROTATED<\/em>]<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
REGISTERED VOTERS<\/em><\/td>Sept.
2021<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Glenn Youngkin<\/td>37%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Terry McAuliffe<\/td>33%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Both equally<\/td>20%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Neither<\/td>4%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Don\u2019t know<\/td>6%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
(n)<\/em><\/em><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

[QUESTIONS 12 & 13 WERE ROTATED<\/em>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12.<\/span>Are Glenn Youngkin\u2019s political views in line or out of step with most Virginians, or are you not sure?<\/span><\/p>\n
TREND: REGISTERED VOTERS<\/em><\/td>Sept.
2021<\/strong><\/td>		Aug.
2021<\/td><\/tr>
In line<\/td>24%<\/strong><\/td>22%<\/td><\/tr>
Out of step<\/td>25%<\/strong><\/td>23%<\/td><\/tr>
Not sure<\/td>51%<\/strong><\/td>55%<\/td><\/tr>
(n)<\/em><\/em><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/td>(802)<\/em><\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

13.<\/span>Are Terry McAuliffe\u2019s political views in line or out of step with most Virginians, or are you not sure?<\/span><\/p>\n
TREND: REGISTERED VOTERS<\/em><\/td>Sept.
2021<\/strong><\/td>		Aug.
2021<\/td><\/tr>
In line<\/td>29%<\/strong><\/td>29%<\/td><\/tr>
Out of step<\/td>24%<\/strong><\/td>21%<\/td><\/tr>
Not sure<\/td>48%<\/strong><\/td>50%<\/td><\/tr>
(n)<\/em><\/em><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/td>(802)<\/em><\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

[QUESTIONS 14 & 15 WERE ROTATED<\/em>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14.<\/span>Do you support or oppose reinstituting face mask and social distancing guidelines in Virginia at the current time?\u00a0 [Do you support\/oppose that strongly or somewhat?]<\/span><\/p>\n
TREND: REGISTERED VOTERS<\/em><\/td>Sept.
2021<\/strong><\/td>		Aug.
2021<\/td><\/tr>
Strongly support<\/td>49%<\/strong><\/td>49%<\/td><\/tr>
Somewhat support<\/td>13%<\/strong><\/td>15%<\/td><\/tr>
Somewhat oppose<\/td>12%<\/strong><\/td>11%<\/td><\/tr>
Strongly oppose<\/td>22%<\/strong><\/td>21%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Don\u2019t know<\/td>4%<\/strong><\/td>4%<\/td><\/tr>
(n)<\/em><\/em><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/td>(802)<\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

15.<\/span>Do you support or oppose having a statewide Covid vaccine requirement for people in certain professions such as health care workers and school teachers?\u00a0 [Do you support\/oppose that strongly or somewhat?]<\/span><\/p>\n
REGISTERED VOTERS<\/em><\/td>Sept.
2021<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Strongly support<\/td>51%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Somewhat support<\/td>8%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Somewhat oppose<\/td>9%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Strongly oppose<\/td>27%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Don\u2019t know<\/td>5%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
(n)<\/em><\/em><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

16.<\/span>How will you vote this year \u2013 in person on Election Day, in person at an early voting location, or by mail ballot? [If ALREADY VOTED:<\/em> How did you vote this year\u2026?]<\/span><\/p>\n
TREND: REGISTERED VOTERS<\/em><\/td>Sept.
2021<\/strong><\/td>		Aug.
2021<\/td><\/tr>
In person on Election Day<\/td>57%<\/strong><\/td>62%<\/td><\/tr>
In person at an early voting location<\/td>24%<\/strong><\/td>20%<\/td><\/tr>
By mail ballot<\/td>9%<\/strong><\/td>13%<\/td><\/tr>
Already voted in person<\/td>3%<\/strong><\/td>n\/a<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Already voted by mail<\/td>2%<\/strong><\/td>n\/a<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Won\u2019t vote at all<\/td>1%<\/strong><\/td>1%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Don\u2019t know<\/td>4%<\/strong><\/td>5%<\/td><\/tr>
(n)<\/em><\/em><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/td>(802)<\/em><\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

17.<\/span>How motivated are you to vote in the election for governor \u2013 very motivated, somewhat motivated, or not that motivated?<\/span><\/p>\n
TREND: REGISTERED VOTERS<\/em><\/td>Sept.
2021<\/strong><\/td>		Aug.
2021<\/td><\/tr>
Very motivated<\/td>76%<\/strong><\/td>74%<\/td><\/tr>
Somewhat motivated<\/td>16%<\/strong><\/td>20%<\/td><\/tr>
Not that motivated<\/td>8%<\/strong><\/td>5%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Don\u2019t know<\/td>1%<\/strong><\/td>1%<\/td><\/tr>
(n)<\/em><\/em><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/td>(802)<\/em><\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

18.<\/span>Compared to past elections for governor, are you more enthusiastic than usual, less enthusiastic, or about the same as past elections?<\/span><\/p>\n
TREND: REGISTERED VOTERS<\/em><\/td>Sept.
2021<\/strong><\/td>		Aug.
2021<\/td><\/tr>
More enthusiastic<\/td>33%<\/strong><\/td>26%<\/td><\/tr>
Less enthusiastic<\/td>8%<\/strong><\/td>8%<\/td><\/tr>
About the same<\/td>57%<\/strong><\/td>63%<\/td><\/tr>
(VOL) Don\u2019t know<\/td>2%<\/strong><\/td>2%<\/td><\/tr>
(n)<\/em><\/em><\/td>(801)<\/em><\/strong><\/td>(802)<\/em><\/em><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

METHODOLOGY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Monmouth University Poll<\/em> was sponsored and conducted by the Monmouth University Polling Institute from September 22 to 26, 2021 with a statewide random sample of 801 Virginia voters drawn from a list of registered voters. This includes 225 contacted by a live interviewer on a landline telephone and 576 contacted by a live interviewer on a cell phone, in English. Monmouth is responsible for all aspects of the survey design, data weighting and analysis. The full sample is weighted for party primary voting history, age, gender, race, education, and region based on state voter registration list information and U.S. Census information (CPS 2018 supplement). Data collection support provided by Braun Research (field) and Aristotle (voter sample). For results based on the full voter sample, one can say with 95% confidence that the error attributable to sampling has a maximum margin of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points (unadjusted for sample design). Sampling error can be larger for sub-groups (see table below). In addition to sampling error, one should bear in mind that question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of opinion polls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VA Regions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NoVa<\/em> \u2013 Loudon, Fairfax, Arlington, and Prince William counties and included cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tidewater<\/em> \u2013 counties and cities along the Chesapeake Bay and tributary rivers (James, York, Rappahannock), including Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, Newport News and Norfolk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Richmond\/I-95<\/em> \u2013 counties and cities that straddle either side of I-95, including Richmond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

West<\/em> \u2013 the area west of a north-south line from Clarke\/Fauquier to Mecklenburg counties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DEMOGRAPHICS (weighted)<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
REGISTERED VOTERS<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
 <\/em><\/td><\/tr>
Self-Reported Party ID<\/em><\/em><\/td><\/tr>
30% Republican<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
37% Independent<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
33% Democrat<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
 <\/em><\/td><\/tr>
48% Male<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
52% Female<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
 <\/em><\/td><\/tr>
21% 18-34<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
26% 35-49<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
29% 50-64<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
24% 65+<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
 <\/em><\/td><\/tr>
67% White, non-Hispanic<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
19% Black<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
  6% Hispanic<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
  8% Asian\/Other<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
 <\/em><\/td><\/tr>
59% No degree<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
41% 4 year degree<\/em><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

Click on pdf file link below for full methodology and crosstabs by key demographic groups.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

McAuliffe maintains issue advantage<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":40802250187,"template":"","geography":[39],"class_list":["post-40802250175","poll","type-poll","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","geography-virginia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/poll\/40802250175","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/poll"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/poll"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/poll\/40802250175\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40802250221,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/poll\/40802250175\/revisions\/40802250221"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40802250187"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40802250175"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"geography","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/geography?post=40802250175"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}