April 19, 2018 - Texas Voters Say Yes To The Guard, No To The Wall, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Back Legal Marijuana Almost 2-1

Texas voters support 60 - 37 percent using the National Guard to patrol the border with Mexico, according to a Quinnipiac University Poll released today. Hispanic voters are divided 51 - 48 percent on deploying the Guard, as white voters support it 68 - 28 percent and black voters oppose it 59 - 38 percent.





Voters say 73 - 25 percent that undocumented immigrants illegally crossing the border with Mexico is an important problem, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll finds. Black, white and Hispanic voters all agree this is an important problem.





But Texas voters oppose 53 - 43 percent building a wall along the border with Mexico. White voters support the wall 54 - 43 percent. Opposition is 72 - 24 percent among black voters and 72 - 25 percent among Hispanic voters.





Texas voters say 79 - 15 percent that undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children - so-called Dreamers - should be allowed to stay and eventually apply for citizenship. This compares to the 77 - 18 percent support for Dreamers measured in an April 11 Quinnipiac University National Poll of all American voters.





Undocumented immigrants do not take jobs from U.S. citizens, Texas voters say 65 - 32 percent. These immigrants are not more likely than American citizens to commit crimes, voters say 67 - 24 percent.





"Texas voters think immigration is the most important issue to their U.S. Senate vote, but their views don't fit exactly in either party's corner. They agree with Democrats in their opposition to President Donald Trump's wall. But, by a wide margin, they support the Republican president's plan to send the National Guard to that border to stop illegal immigration," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac Poll.





Looking at illegal immigrants in general:

64 percent of Texas voters say they should be allowed to stay in the U.S. and eventually apply for citizenship;

10 percent say they should be allowed to stay, but not apply for citizenship;

20 percent say illegal immigrants should be required to leave the U.S.

Gun Laws





Texas voters support 55 - 41 percent stricter gun laws in the U.S. and support 94 - 5 percent requiring background checks to all gun buyers.





Voters also support 53 - 42 percent a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons.





"Throw away the stereotypes. Texas voters are in favor of tighter gun laws by a solid 14-point margin, and fully 94 percent favor background checks for all gun buyers," Brown said.





Legalized Marijuana, Abortion





Texas voters support 61 - 34 percent allowing adults to legally possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use. Republicans oppose legalized marijuana 51 - 43 percent and voters over 65 years old oppose it 51 - 40 percent. Every other listed party, gender, education, age and racial group support it.





"Texans are not much different than voters in other parts of the country. They support almost 2-1 the idea of allowing small amounts of marijuana for personal use," Brown added.





On another divisive issue, 20 percent of Texas voters say abortion should be legal in all cases, as 37 percent say it should be legal in most cases. Another 26 percent say abortion should be illegal in most cases and 12 percent say it should be illegal in all cases.





Texas voters are divided on the 2017 tax law as 43 percent approve and 45 percent disapprove of the tax law.





Voters also are divided on the Affordable Care Act as 45 percent want to keep Obamacare in place and 49 percent want to repeal it.





From April 12 - 17, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,029 Texas voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.6 percentage points, including the design effect. Live interviewers call landlines and cell phones.





The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts nationwide public opinion surveys, and statewide polls in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Iowa and Colorado as a public service and for research.





Visit poll.qu.edu or www.facebook.com/quinnipiacpoll





Call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter @QuinnipiacPoll.





34. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in Texas today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Very satisfied 24% 44% 3% 20% 30% 19% 28% 28% Smwht satisfied 39 49 30 36 42 37 41 44 Smwht dissatisfied 24 4 42 30 19 28 20 17 Very dissatisfied 12 1 23 13 9 15 11 9 DK/NA 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Very satisfied 18% 21% 27% 26% 35% 23% 28% 8% 20% Smwht satisfied 35 46 37 38 44 42 43 32 35 Smwht dissatisfied 32 21 20 22 15 21 18 45 28 Very dissatisfied 14 11 15 10 6 13 10 14 17 DK/NA 1 - 1 3 1 2 2 2 -

35. In general, would you like to see the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, remain in place, or would you like to see Obamacare repealed?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Remain in place 45% 10% 85% 52% 40% 50% 40% 28% Repealed 49 87 10 41 55 45 56 65 DK/NA 5 3 4 7 5 5 3 7 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Remain in place 56% 41% 43% 44% 31% 38% 34% 79% 53% Repealed 36 55 55 50 64 57 60 17 42 DK/NA 8 5 3 6 5 5 5 4 5

36. Do you approve or disapprove of the 2017 tax law passed by Congress and signed by President Trump?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Approve 43% 76% 11% 36% 51% 36% 54% 54% Disapprove 45 12 83 49 40 48 39 33 DK/NA 13 12 7 15 9 16 7 14 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Approve 29% 44% 51% 45% 61% 48% 54% 15% 32% Disapprove 51 45 41 46 32 39 36 76 52 DK/NA 20 11 8 9 7 13 10 10 16

37. Do you think abortion should be legal in all cases, legal in most cases, illegal in most cases or illegal in all cases?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Legal all cases 20% 9% 32% 20% 16% 24% 14% 20% Legal most cases 37 26 48 43 36 38 41 32 Illegal most cases 26 41 9 24 30 23 32 28 Illegal all cases 12 20 8 8 11 13 9 16 DK/NA 6 5 3 6 8 4 5 4 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Legal all cases 34% 17% 15% 14% 14% 19% 17% 23% 24% Legal most cases 38 39 36 37 35 37 36 50 32 Illegal most cases 15 34 29 25 32 28 30 9 25 Illegal all cases 7 7 14 19 11 14 12 11 13 DK/NA 6 2 6 5 7 3 5 6 6

38. Do you support or oppose allowing adults in Texas to legally possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 61% 43% 69% 69% 65% 57% 58% 57% Oppose 34 51 26 27 31 36 36 35 DK/NA 6 6 5 4 4 7 6 8 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 79% 71% 55% 40% 58% 57% 58% 66% 61% Oppose 16 24 40 51 35 35 35 29 36 DK/NA 5 5 5 8 6 7 7 5 3

39. Which comes closest to your view about illegal immigrants who are currently living in the United States? A) They should be allowed to stay in the United States and to eventually apply for U.S. citizenship. B) They should be allowed to remain in the United States, but not be allowed to apply for U.S. citizenship. C) They should be required to leave the U.S.

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No A) Stay/Citizenship 64% 47% 84% 68% 59% 69% 63% 55% B) Stay/Not citizen 10 10 11 9 12 9 11 6 C) Not stay 20 36 4 18 24 17 20 32 DK/NA 6 7 1 6 6 6 6 7 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp A) Stay/Citizenship 77% 62% 61% 59% 54% 63% 59% 81% 71% B) Stay/Not citizen 7 10 11 11 12 6 8 10 14 C) Not stay 12 19 23 25 29 24 26 5 11 DK/NA 3 8 5 5 6 7 7 4 4

40. Do you support or oppose allowing undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children to remain in the United States and eventually apply for citizenship?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 79% 64% 97% 83% 74% 83% 76% 71% Oppose 15 26 3 11 19 12 18 21 DK/NA 6 10 - 6 7 6 6 8 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 87% 77% 76% 77% 70% 76% 73% 95% 83% Oppose 8 18 19 14 24 16 20 5 9 DK/NA 5 5 6 8 5 9 7 - 8

41. Do you support or oppose building a wall along the border with Mexico?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 43% 81% 14% 30% 48% 39% 49% 59% Oppose 53 16 83 66 50 56 47 38 DK/NA 4 3 4 4 3 5 3 4 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 24% 44% 51% 52% 58% 50% 54% 24% 25% Oppose 72 52 47 45 40 45 43 72 72 DK/NA 4 4 3 3 2 5 4 3 3 AREA.................................... Dallas South East FtWrth Houstn Centrl West South Support 59% 38% 44% 35% 59% 33% Oppose 39 60 52 59 36 64 DK/NA 2 2 4 6 6 3

42. Do you support or oppose using the National Guard to patrol the border with Mexico?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 60% 91% 30% 54% 65% 57% 64% 72% Oppose 37 8 64 43 34 39 32 24 DK/NA 3 1 6 3 2 4 4 4 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 53% 60% 65% 62% 73% 64% 68% 38% 51% Oppose 46 36 34 34 26 30 28 59 48 DK/NA 2 5 1 4 2 6 4 3 1

43. Do you think that undocumented immigrants illegally crossing the border with Mexico is an important problem, or not?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Impt problem 73% 94% 56% 66% 74% 72% 75% 80% No 25 6 41 32 24 26 23 19 DK/NA 2 - 4 2 2 2 2 1 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Impt problem 62% 74% 77% 76% 79% 76% 77% 71% 61% No 35 25 23 20 20 22 21 27 36 DK/NA 3 1 - 4 1 2 2 2 2

44. In general, do you think undocumented immigrants take jobs away from American citizens, or don't you think so?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/Take jobs 32% 56% 9% 25% 37% 27% 36% 42% No 65 39 90 73 60 69 60 53 DK/NA 3 5 1 2 3 4 4 5 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/Take jobs 17% 33% 41% 35% 43% 36% 39% 13% 21% No 82 65 56 59 54 58 56 86 78 DK/NA 2 2 4 6 3 6 5 1 1

45. In general, do you think undocumented immigrants are more likely to commit crimes than American citizens, or don't you think so?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Yes/More likely 24% 42% 8% 18% 30% 20% 24% 33% No 67 46 88 75 62 72 65 54 DK/NA 9 12 4 7 9 9 12 13 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes/More likely 15% 24% 31% 27% 33% 25% 28% 14% 18% No 83 68 60 59 56 62 59 84 78 DK/NA 2 8 10 14 10 14 12 1 4

46. Do you support or oppose stricter gun laws in the United States?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 55% 32% 84% 58% 41% 66% 52% 44% Oppose 41 64 15 38 55 30 45 52 DK/NA 4 5 1 4 4 4 3 4 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 57% 47% 55% 62% 35% 59% 48% 81% 59% Oppose 38 48 43 34 62 37 48 17 35 DK/NA 5 5 3 3 4 4 4 2 6 GUN......... DENSITY............ HsHld Owner City Suburb Rural Support 45% 39% 59% 55% 45% Oppose 52 59 38 41 50 DK/NA 3 2 4 3 5

47. Do you support or oppose requiring background checks for all gun buyers?

WHITE...... COLLEGE DEG Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Yes No Support 94% 91% 97% 95% 92% 96% 95% 92% Oppose 5 7 3 5 7 3 4 7 DK/NA 1 2 - 1 1 1 1 1 AGE IN YRS.............. WHITE..... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+ Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 95% 91% 94% 96% 90% 97% 94% 96% 93% Oppose 3 8 5 3 8 3 5 3 6 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 2 - 1 1 1 GUN......... DENSITY............ HsHld Owner City Suburb Rural Support 93% 92% 95% 95% 89% Oppose 6 7 4 4 8 DK/NA 1 1 1 1 2

48. Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons?