American Voters Want Second Opinion on Obamacare, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Voters Support Immigrants, But Also Back Muslim List

Targeted News Service (Press Releases)

HAMDEN, Conn., Jan. 12 -- The Quinnipiac University Polling Institute has issued the following news release:

American voters are divided 48 - 47 percent on whether President-elect Donald Trump should support efforts to repeal Obamacare, the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today.

In a separate question, 18 percent of voters say Trump and Congress should repeal all of the ACA, while 47 percent say repeal parts of the ACA and 31 percent say Congress should not repeal any of the ACA, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll finds.

Republican voters say 86 - 13 percent that Trump should support ACA repeal, while Democrats say 78 - 17 percent he should not. Independent voters are divided as 44 percent say Trump should support ACA repeal and 49 percent say he should not.

On the second question, 13 percent of independent voters say repeal all of ACA, while 58 percent say repeal parts of it and 24 percent say keep all of it.

Almost half of American voters - 45 percent - are "very concerned" about climate change, while 29 percent are "somewhat concerned," with 14 percent "not so concerned" at 13 percent "not concerned at all."

Voters say 59 - 32 percent that Trump should not remove regulations intended to combat climate change. Opposed to removing these regulations are Democrats 81 - 15 percent and independent voters 58 - 34 percent. Republicans say 52 - 35 percent to remove the regulations.

"Not exactly a hearty endorsement of two highly controversial stances President-elect Donald Trump has taken: A split decision on scrapping Obamacare but no ambivalence on climate change. 'Preserve the planet, Mr. Trump,' is the stern advice of voters," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.

Illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay in the U.S. with a path to citizenship, 59 percent of American voters say, while 9 percent say immigrants should be allowed to stay with no path to citizenship and 25 percent say illegal immigrants should be required to leave.

Supporting the path to citizenship option are Democrats, 80 percent; independent voters, 62 percent; Republicans, 38 percent; women, 66 percent, and men, 51 percent. Voters in every age group support this option, with support at 59 or 60 percent.

By a narrow 48 - 42 percent, American voters support "suspending immigration from terror prone regions, even if it means turning away refugees."

By a broader 53 - 41 percent, voters support requiring immigrants from Muslim countries to register with the federal government.

"The Trump 'send them back to where they came from' rallying cry may have stirred the crowds and tipped the vote his way, but Americans are not inclined to simply show immigrants the door," Malloy said.

Abortion

Offered four options on abortion, American voters say:

- 28 percent that it should be legal in all cases:

- 34 percent that it should be legal in most cases;

- 21 percent that it should be illegal in most cases;

- 11 percent that it should be illegal in all cases.

Voters agree with the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision on abortion 68 - 28 percent. Republicans disagree 57 - 39 percent, the only listed party, gender, education, age or racial group to disagree.

American voters are divided 46 - 46 percent on whether they would support or oppose a law in their state banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Trump should select a Supreme Court justice based solely on whether the person is qualified and should not consider a nominee's position on controversial issues such as abortion, voters say 53 - 40 percent.

From January 5 - 9, Quinnipiac University surveyed 899 voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 3.3 percentage points. Live interviewers call landlines and cell phones.

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