AP VoteCast: A look at voters in Florida and Illinois
Associated Press | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years, 5 months AGO
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Associated Press surveyed voters in the three states that held Democratic presidential contests on Tuesday. Here’s a snapshot of voters in Florida and Illinois — who they are and what matters to them — based on preliminary results from AP VoteCast. Conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago, AP VoteCast surveys took place over seven days, concluding as polls closed.
FLORIDA
During a pandemic that has stunted travel, closed schools, forced millions of workers to stay home and canceled campaign rallies, voters in Florida’s Democratic primary expressed measured concerns about the coronavirus. About 4 in 10 said they are very concerned that they or a relative will get the virus. Roughly as many are somewhat concerned, while just 2 in 10 expressed little to no concern.
Close to half named health care the most important issue facing the country — about on par with voters in many of the earlier contests as well.
Democratic primary voters in the battleground state strongly believe Joe Biden could fare well against President Donald Trump: 84% think the former vice president could definitely or probably win the general election. A smaller majority, 58%, think Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders could likely beat the incumbent president.
ILLINOIS
In Illinois, a wide share of Democratic primary voters — about three-quarters — say they are likely to vote for Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders if either is the nominee facing Trump in November. Some — 13% — say they would vote for Biden, but not Sanders; eight percent say they would vote for Sanders, but not Biden.
More than 8 in 10 say it’s very important that the nominee can beat Trump and that he is a strong leader.
The two candidates fare about the same in the eyes of voters as best able to handle corruption in government, as well as health care, considered the top issue facing the nation.
More think Biden than Sanders would be more capable of handling issues related to race and the economy.
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AP VoteCast is a survey of the American electorate conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago for The Associated Press and Fox News. The surveys were conducted for seven days, concluding as polls closed.
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