Poll: 41 Percent in S.C. Say Conviction Hurts Trumps

Observer Reports

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

A new poll finds 41 percent of South Carolinians believe a criminal conviction decreases Donald Trump’s chances of winning the 2024 presidential election.

The poll, sponsored by Winthrop University, was conducted before Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts last week.

Other results from this general population survey of 1,174 South Carolinians (margin of error +/-2.86 percent):

• Roads. 61 percent favor an additional one cent sales tax if the money were used to repair roads in their county.

• Abortion. Most, 84 percent, believe women should be able to obtain a legal abortion if the pregnancy threatens the woman’s life or health; 81 percent support legal abortion if the pregnancy is the result of rape; 60 percent support legal abortion if the baby is likely to be born with severe disabilities or health problems. 48 percent oppose the 6-week abortion ban in South Carolina; 31 percent support.

• Israel. 41 percent sympathize more with the Israelis than with the Palestinians. 52 percent think supporting Israel is in the national interest of the United States.

• Approval Ratings. President Joe Biden, 32 percent; Governor Henry McMaster, 41 percent; Senator Lindsey Graham, 34 percent; Senator Tim Scott, 41 percent. Approval ratings for McMaster, Graham, and Scott among Republicans are significantly higher, although Graham still trails McMaster and Scott. 62 percent say leaders in America are not ordained by God.

• Education. 82 percent favor a legal requirement for undergraduates at public colleges and universities to take a course that teaches financial literacy; 73 percent favor a requirement for a course that teaches the US founding documents; 57 percent favor a requirement for a course that teaches diversity, equity, and inclusion; 51 percent favor a requirement for a course that teaches the impact of slavery on America. 67 percent favor the 2021 state law to require undergraduates at public colleges and universities to complete a course that teaches documents foundational to the African American Freedom struggle.

• Confederate Flag/Monuments. 60 percent of Republicans say the Confederate battle flag is more a symbol of Southern pride while 51 percent of Democrats say it is more a symbol of racial conflict. 50 percent of Republicans say to leave monuments and memorials to Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War just as they are; 32 percent of Democrats say to move them to a museum.

Respondents were reached May 8-21, 2024 via an online non-probability panel curated by Dynata. Results have a margin of error of approximately +/- 2.86 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. Subgroups have higher margins of error.

The Winthrop Poll is conducted and paid for by Winthrop University.

Greg Wilson