Harvard Fall Poll

!
Survey of Young Americans Attitudes toward Politics and Public Service

26th Edition: September 26 October 9, 2014
N=2,029 18-29 Year Olds in English and Spanish (with GfK KnowledgePaneli)
Margin of Error for entire sample: +/- 2.6% at the 95% level
1.
With regard to school, are you currently enrolled at any of the following? Please select all that apply:
High school ....................................................
Trade/Vocational school ................................
2-year junior college or
community college .........................................
4-year college or university ...........................
Graduate school .............................................
Business school or professional school..........
Not enrolled in college/university but
taking at least one course ...............................
Not currently enrolled in any of these............
4%
1%
12%
22%
4%
1%
2%
54%
[If currently enrolled in a 4-year college, ask Q2]

2.
In which year of college are you?

First year student/Freshman ...........................
Second year student/Sophomore ....................
Third year student/Junior ...............................
Fourth year student/Senior .............................
Fifth year student or higher ............................
(n=456)
23%
19%
26%
24%
8%
Harvard IOP Survey Fall 2014

Page 2 of 22
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3.
We understand that plenty of young people are not registered to vote, but we are wondering if you are
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registered to vote?
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4.
Yes .................................................................
No...................................................................
Dont know ....................................................
Decline to answer ...........................................
66%
28%
5%
1%
In the last few months, have you seen voter registration materials at work, in your community, or in your
school?
Yes .................................................................
No...................................................................
Not sure ..........................................................
36%
53%
11%
1%
[If respondent was over 18 in 2012, ask Q5-Q6]

The following are questions about voter registration and voting.
5.
Which of the following statements best describes your voter registration status for the last presidential
election held on November 6, 2012?
(n=1,883)
I was registered .............................................. 59%
I thought about registering, but didnt ...........
4%
I tried to register, but was unable to ...............
2%
I was not registered to vote on Nov. 6, 2012 . 27%
Not sure ..........................................................
7%
1%
6.
Which of the following statements best describes your voting in the last presidential election held on
November 6, 2012?
(n=1,883)
I voted at a polling place ................................ 37%
I voted early ...................................................
5%
I voted by absentee ballot ..............................
8%
I planned on voting, but wasnt able to ..........
4%
I did not vote in this election.......................... 42%
I went to the polling place, but wasnt
allowed to vote ...............................................
1%
2%

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[If respondent Voted in Q6, ask Q7]
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7.
For whom did you vote for president in 2012?
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8.
9.
Barack Obama ................................................

Mitt Romney ..................................................
Someone else .................................................
Dont remember .............................................
Page 3 of 22
(n=962)
53%
33%
6%
2%
7%
When it comes to voting, with which party do you consider yourself to be affiliated?
NET: Democrat ............................................
Strong Democrat ............................................
Not a very strong Democrat ...........................
33%
14%
19%
NET: Republican .........................................

Strong Republican..........................................
Not a very strong Republican ........................
22%
10%
12%
NET: Independent .......................................

Leans Democrat .............................................
Leans Republican ...........................................
Does not lean either way ................................
42%
9%
7%
26%
2%
When it comes to most political issues, do you think of yourself as a?

NET: Liberal ................................................
Liberal ............................................................
Moderate leaning Liberal ...............................
33%
23%
10%
Moderate ........................................................
28%
NET: Conservative.......................................
Moderate leaning Conservative .....................
Conservative ..................................................
35%
11%
25%
4%

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10.
How likely is it that you will vote in the 2014 elections for Congress?
!
Definitely will be voting ................................ 26%
!
Probably will be voting .................................. 16%
50-50 .............................................................. 22%
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Probably wont be voting ............................... 18%
Definitely wont be voting ............................. 16%
Page 4 of 22
[If answered Definitely will be voting or Probably will be voting in Q10, ask Q11]
11.
How do you plan to vote in the November election?

At a polling place ...........................................
By absentee ballot ..........................................
At a place set up for early voting ..................
I do not plan on voting ...................................
Dont know ....................................................
(n=847)
66%
18%
8%
*
7%
[If answered 50-50, Probably wont be voting or Definitely wont be voting in Q10, ask Q12]
12.
What is the main reason that you may not vote in November (open-ended question)? *
(n=1,101)
Don't know enough about the candidates ...... 12%
Not interested ................................................. 11%
No time/too busy ............................................ 10%
Not registered .................................................
8%
My vote does not count/make a difference ....
7%
Don't like/trust the candidates/politicians
in general........................................................
7%
Don't like/follow politics/government ...........
6%
Not a citizen ...................................................
3%
Not eligible/permitted to vote
(unspecified) ..................................................
3%
Can't get to the polls to vote...........................
3%
Moved/not living where I am registered to vote 2%
Other .............................................................. 15%
Dont know/Nothing ....................................
5%
Decline to answer ........................................... 23%
*Please note multiple responses were allowed, and therefore the sum of the percentages may not add up to
100%.

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13.
Do you consider yourself to be politically engaged or politically active?
!
Yes ................................................................. 18%
!
No................................................................... 80%
2%
!
14.
15.
Overall, how closely do you follow news about national politics?

NET: Closely.................................................
Very closely ...................................................
Somewhat closely ..........................................
38%
6%
31%
NET: Not closely ..........................................

Not very closely .............................................
Not at all closely ............................................
60%
35%
25%
2%
All in all, do you think things in the nation are?

Generally headed in the right direction ..........
Off on the wrong track ...................................
Not sure what direction country is headed in.
16.
15%
43%
40%
2%
Do you consider yourself to be a supporter of the Tea Party movement, or are you not a supporter of the
Tea Party movement?
Supporter ........................................................
Not a supporter...............................................
Not sure ..........................................................
Page 5 of 22
9%
45%
43%
2%

Page 6 of 22
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17.
Thinking about national issues for a moment, which issue concerns you the most? (Open-ended
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question)
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NET: Economy .............................................

General ...........................................................
Jobs ................................................................
Money issues/financial stability.....................
Budget/government spending ........................
Economic equality/inequality ........................
Taxes ..............................................................
31%
18%
8%
2%
1%
1%
1%
NET: Foreign Affairs/National Security....

War/military ...................................................
Terrorism........................................................
National Security ...........................................
ISIS/ISIL/Islamic State ..................................
Foreign Affairs ...............................................
19%
7%
4%
3%
3%
2%
Health care, general .......................................

Education .......................................................
Immigration....................................................
National debt ..................................................
Environment...................................................
President Obama/lack of leadership...............
Abortion .........................................................
Government/political corruption ....................
Moral and religious issues .............................
7%
6%
6%
3%
2%
1%
1%
1%
1%
Other issues ....................................................

Dont know/No answer ..................................
12%
10%

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In general, do you approve or disapprove of the job performance of:
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18.
Barack Obama as President.
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Approve..........................................................
Disapprove .....................................................
19.
The Democrats in Congress.

Approve..........................................................
Disapprove .....................................................
20.
35%
60%
5%
23%
72%
5%
What is your preference for the outcome of the Congressional elections, a Congress controlled by
Democrats, or a Congress controlled by Republicans?
Controlled by Democrats ...............................

Controlled by Republicans.............................
43%
53%
4%
The Republicans in Congress.

Approve..........................................................
Disapprove .....................................................
21.
Page 7 of 22
50%
43%
7%
Definite Voters
(n=530)
47%
51%
2%

Page 8 of 22
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Now thinking specifically about Barack Obama, do you approve or disapprove of the way he is handling:
!
22.
The economy.
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!
Approve..........................................................
Disapprove .....................................................
23.
Health care.
Approve..........................................................
Disapprove .....................................................
24.
35%
61%
4%
Race relations.
Approve..........................................................
Disapprove .....................................................
35%
60%
4%
Immigration.
Approve..........................................................
Disapprove .....................................................
27.
31%
65%
4%
Foreign policy.
Approve..........................................................
Disapprove .....................................................
26.
37%
59%
4%
Federal budget deficit.

Approve..........................................................
Disapprove .....................................................
25.
36%
60%
4%
47%
49%
4%

Page 9 of 22
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28.
Do you approve or disapprove of the Affordable Care Act, the comprehensive health reform package
!
that the President signed into law in 2010?
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!
Approve..........................................................
Disapprove .....................................................
29.
How important is the economy in determining which candidate you support in November?
30.
NET: Important ...........................................

Very important ...............................................
Somewhat important ......................................
77%
39%
38%
NET: Not important ....................................

Not very important .........................................
Not at all important ........................................
20%
10%
10%
3%
Which party do you trust more to handle the economy, the Democratic party or the Republican party?
Democratic party ............................................
Republican party ............................................
Not sure ..........................................................
39%
57%
4%
30%
26%
40%
3%

Page 10 of 22
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31.
How important is foreign policy in determining which candidate you support in November?
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NET: Important ........................................... 66%
!
Very important ............................................... 24%
Somewhat important ...................................... 41%
!
32.

31%
18%
12%
4%
Which party do you trust more to handle foreign policy, the Democratic party or the Republican party?
Not sure ..........................................................
33.
34.
How important is immigration policy in determining which candidate you support in November?
NET: Important ...........................................
Very important ...............................................
65%
30%
35%

31%
20%
12%
4%
Which party do you trust more to handle immigration policy, the Democratic party or the Republican
party?
Not sure ..........................................................
29%
24%
44%
3%
32%
26%
40%
3%

Page 11 of 22
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35.
How important is race relations in determining which candidate you support in November?
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NET: Important ........................................... 51%
!
Very important ............................................... 20%
!
36.

45%
26%
19%
4%
Which party do you trust more to handle race relations, the Democratic party or the Republican party?
Not sure ..........................................................
37.
38.
How important is health care in determining which candidate you support in November?
NET: Important ...........................................
Very important ...............................................
76%
39%
37%

20%
11%
9%
4%
Which party do you trust more to handle health care, the Democratic party or the Republican party?
Not sure ..........................................................
34%
16%
46%
4%
33%
25%
39%
3%

Page 12 of 22
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39.
Imagine that a friend or peer suggests attending a political rally or demonstration. Assuming you have
!
some free time and you agree with the issue, how likely would you be to agree to attend?
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!
40.
41.
42.
NET: Likely ..................................................

Very likely .....................................................
Somewhat likely.............................................
39%
9%
30%
NET: Not likely ............................................

Not very likely ...............................................
Not at all likely...............................................
57%
30%
27%
Again, imagine that a friend or peer suggests volunteering on a political campaign. Assuming you have
some free time and you agree with the issue, how likely would you be to agree to volunteer?
NET: Likely ..................................................
Very likely .....................................................
Somewhat likely.............................................
33%
6%
27%
NET: Not likely ............................................

Not very likely ...............................................
Not at all likely...............................................
64%
33%
31%
Now, imagine a friend or peer suggests volunteering for community service. Assuming that you
consider it to be a worthy cause, how likely would you be to agree to volunteer for community service?
NET: Likely ..................................................
Very likely .....................................................
Somewhat likely.............................................
67%
25%
42%
NET: Not likely ............................................

Not very likely ...............................................
Not at all likely...............................................
29%
16%
12%
In general, which do you think is the better way to solve important issues facing the country through
political engagement or through community volunteerism?
Community volunteerism...............................
Political engagement ......................................
Not sure ..........................................................
42%
18%
37%
3%

Page 13 of 22
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43.
Generally speaking, with whom do you place the most blame regarding the political gridlock in
!
Washington, D.C.?
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!
All of them .....................................................

Republicans in Congress ................................
President Obama ............................................
Democrats in Congress ..................................
56%
22%
13%
5%
4%
If you could choose to recall and replace various elected officials today, would you recall:
44.
Your member of Congress?

Yes .................................................................
No...................................................................
45.
All members of Congress?

Yes .................................................................
No...................................................................
46.
33%
27%
25%
10%
5%
How concerned are you about the possibility there will be a major terrorist attack in the United States? Is
that something that worries you a great deal, somewhat, not too much, or not at all?
A great deal ....................................................
Somewhat.......................................................
Not too much..................................................
Not at all.........................................................
53%
41%
6%
Whom do you think your member of Congress represents the most in Washington?
Themselves ....................................................
Their campaign donors ..................................
Their party......................................................
Their constituents ...........................................
47.
42%
48%
10%
23%
38%
23%
12%
3%

Page 14 of 22
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48.
Do you favor or oppose President Obamas plan to expand the U.S. air campaign against ISIS, which
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includes lifting restrictions on American strikes in Iraq and authorizing direct attacks against the militant
group in Syria?
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!
Favor ..............................................................
Oppose ...........................................................
Dont know ....................................................
49.
Do you have health insurance?
39%
20%
38%
3%
Yes, my employer provides it ........................

Yes, I am under 26 and covered
by my parents plan........................................
Yes, I have an individual plan or
plan for my family .........................................
No, I am not enrolled in health insurance ......
26%
3%
32%
19%
19%

!
On which of the following platforms do you have an account?
!
50.
Facebook.
!
!
Yes ................................................................
No ..................................................................
51.
Google+.
Yes ................................................................
No ..................................................................
52.
28%
72%
Tumblr.
Yes ................................................................
No ..................................................................
30%
70%
Snapchat.
Yes ................................................................
No ..................................................................
56.
38%
62%
Pinterest.
Yes ................................................................
No ..................................................................
55.
39%
61%
Twitter.
Yes ................................................................
No ..................................................................
54.
45%
55%
Instagram.
Yes ................................................................
No ..................................................................
53.
80%
20%
13%
87%
Page 15 of 22

!
57.
Foursquare.
!
Yes ................................................................
!
No ..................................................................
Page 16 of 22
5%
95%
!
58.
Which one of these best describes your religious preference?

Catholic ..........................................................
Fundamentalist/Evangelical Christian ...........
Protestant........................................................
LDS/Mormon .................................................
Jewish.............................................................
Muslim ...........................................................
Another religion .............................................
No religious preference ..................................
Not sure ..........................................................
21%
13%
12%
2%
1%
*
10%
23%
12%
4%
[If NOT No Religious Preference in Q58, ask Q59]

59.
How important is religion in your own life?

(n=1,297)
Very important .............................................. 44%
Not very important ........................................ 16%
Not sure ..........................................................
4%
*
[If Catholic, Fundamentalist/Evangelical, LDS/Mormon, Protestant, or another religion, or not sure in

Q58 ask Q60]
60.
Do you consider yourself a born-again Christian?

Yes .................................................................
No...................................................................
Not sure ..........................................................
(n=1,260)
33%
50%
12%
5%

!
61.
Switching topics, which of these best describes your phone service at this time?
!
Cell phone ...................................................... 88%
!
Landline phone service .................................. 16%
VOIP phone service .......................................
3%
!
None of these .................................................
4%
3%
Page 17 of 22
[If currently enrolled in a 4-year college, ask Q62-Q66]

62.
Is your college/university?
Public .............................................................
Private ............................................................
63.
Is the college/university that you currently attend...?

In an urban or city area ..................................
In a suburban area next to a city ....................
In small town or rural area .............................
64.
(n=456)
51%
27%
18%
4%
How many undergraduate students are enrolled in your college/university? Your best estimate is fine.
Less than 1,000 ..............................................
1,000 - 4,999 ..................................................
5,000 - 9,999 ..................................................
10,000 - 19,999 ..............................................
20,000 or more ...............................................
(n=456)
70%
26%
4%
(n=456)
4%
24%
20%
24%
24%
3%

!
65.
Where do you live while attending college?
!
!
!
66.
In an on-campus dormitory ............................

In fraternity/sorority housing .........................
In a campus-owned apartment .......................
In an apartment/house that is not
campus-owned (not with parents) ..................
At home, with my parents ..............................
Somewhere else .............................................
50%
50%
56%
21%
14%
7%
2%
What is your current education level?

Less than high school .....................................
High school ....................................................
Some college ..................................................
Bachelor or higher..........................................
(n=456)
86%
12%
3%
What is your race and ethnicity?

White, Non-Hispanic .....................................
Hispanic .........................................................
Black, Non-Hispanic ......................................
Other, Non-Hispanic ......................................
Two or more races, Non-Hispanic .................
69.
30%
25%
3%
4%
What is your gender?

Male ...............................................................
Female ............................................................
68.
(n=456)
31%
*
7%
Are you a?
Full-time student ............................................
Part-time student ............................................
67.
Page 18 of 22
14%
28%
38%
20%

!
70.
What is your income?
!
Less than $5,000 ............................................
!
$5,000 - $7,499 .............................................
$7,500 - $9,999 .............................................
!
$10,000 - $12,499 .........................................
$12,500 - $14,999 .........................................
$15,000 - $19,999 .........................................
$20,000 - $24,999 .........................................
$25,000 - $29,999 .........................................
$30,000 - $34,999 .........................................
$35,000 - $39,999 .........................................
$40,000 - $49,999 .........................................
$50,000 - $59,999 .........................................
$60,000 - $74,999 .........................................
$75,000 - $84,999 .........................................
$85,000 - $99,999 .........................................
$100,000 - $124,999 .....................................
$125,000 - $149,000 .....................................
$150,000 - $174,999 .....................................
$175,000 or more ..........................................
71.
4%
3%
1%
2%
2%
2%
3%
6%
5%
5%
7%
9%
10%
9%
8%
11%
5%
3%
3%
Are you now married, widowed, divorced, separated, never married, or living with a partner?
Never married ................................................
Married...........................................................
Living with partner ........................................
Divorced.........................................................
Separated ........................................................
Widowed ........................................................
Page 19 of 22
61%
21%
15%
1%
1%
*

!
72.
Age:
!
18....................................................................
!
19....................................................................
20....................................................................
!
21....................................................................
22....................................................................
23....................................................................
24....................................................................
25....................................................................
26....................................................................
27....................................................................
28....................................................................
29....................................................................
73.
9%
24%
25%
22%
12%
6%
2%
1%
1%
*
How many members are there in each age group in your household? (Average number)
0 12 months old ..........................................
2 5 years old ...............................................
6 12 years old .............................................
13 17 years old ...........................................
18 years or older ............................................
43%
57%
Including yourself, how many people currently live in your household at least 50% of the time? Please
remember to include babies, or small children, include unrelated individuals (such as roommates), and
also include those now away traveling or in a hospital.
1 .....................................................................
2 .....................................................................
3 .....................................................................
4 .....................................................................
5 .....................................................................
6 .....................................................................
7 .....................................................................
8 .....................................................................
9 .....................................................................
10 ...................................................................
75.
8%
8%
7%
7%
8%
9%
11%
8%
7%
9%
9%
9%
Are you the head of your household?

Yes ................................................................
No ..................................................................
74.
Page 20 of 22
0.09
0.19
0.21
0.24
2.67

!
76.
Which statement best describes your current employment status?
!
NET: Working.............................................. 64%
!
As a paid employee ....................................... 60%
Self-employed ...............................................
4%
!
NET: Not Working ......................................
On temporary layoff from a job .....................
Looking for work ..........................................
Disabled ........................................................
Retired ...........................................................
Other .............................................................
77.
Are your living quarters?

Owned or being bought by you or
someone in your household ..........................
Rented for cash .............................................
Occupied without payment of cash rent ........
78.
10%
25%
4%
*
94%
6%
What region do you live in?

Northeast .......................................................
Midwest .........................................................
South .............................................................
West ..............................................................
61%
Do you have Internet access in your home?

Yes .................................................................
No...................................................................
80.
56%
39%
5%
Which best describes the building where you live?

A one-family house detached from any
other house .....................................................
A one-family house attached to one or
more houses ..................................................
A building with two or more apartments .......
A mobile home ..............................................
Boat, RV, van, etc. ........................................
79.
37%
1%
18%
2%
*
15%
18%
21%
36%
24%
Page 21 of 22

!
81.
Do you live in a metro or non-metro area?
!
Non-metro (rural) ...........................................
!
Metro ..............................................................
Page 22 of 22
14%
86%
!
82.
What region do you live in? (Based on state of residence)

New England .................................................
Mid-Atlantic ..................................................
East-North Central ........................................
West-North Central ........................................
South Atlantic ...............................................
East-South Central ........................................
West-South Central .......................................
Mountain .......................................................
Pacific ...........................................................
1A
5%
13%
13%
8%
20%
5%
12%
7%
17%
complete Field Report from GfK (Knowledge Networks) is available upon request. Included in the report are
details on cooperation rates, KN methodology, survey administration, survey sampling and sample weighting.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Harvard Fall Poll

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!

Survey of Young Americans Attitudes toward Politics and Public Service

[If currently enrolled in a 4-year college, ask Q2]

In which year of college are you?

Harvard IOP Survey Fall 2014

[If respondent was over 18 in 2012, ask Q5-Q6]

Harvard IOP Survey Fall 2014

Barack Obama ................................................

NET: Republican .........................................

NET: Independent .......................................

Decline to answer ...........................................

When it comes to most political issues, do you think of yourself as a?

Decline to answer ...........................................

Harvard IOP Survey Fall 2014

How do you plan to vote in the November election?

Harvard IOP Survey Fall 2014

Overall, how closely do you follow news about national politics?

NET: Not closely ..........................................

Decline to answer ...........................................

All in all, do you think things in the nation are?

Harvard IOP Survey Fall 2014

NET: Economy .............................................

NET: Foreign Affairs/National Security....

Health care, general .......................................

Other issues ....................................................

Harvard IOP Survey Fall 2014

The Democrats in Congress.

Controlled by Democrats ...............................

The Republicans in Congress.

Harvard IOP Survey Fall 2014

Federal budget deficit.

Harvard IOP Survey Fall 2014

NET: Important ...........................................

NET: Not important ....................................

Decline to answer ...........................................

Harvard IOP Survey Fall 2014

NET: Not important ....................................

Decline to answer ...........................................

NET: Not important ....................................

Decline to answer ...........................................

Harvard IOP Survey Fall 2014

NET: Not important ....................................

Decline to answer ...........................................

NET: Not important ....................................

Decline to answer ...........................................

Harvard IOP Survey Fall 2014

NET: Likely ..................................................

NET: Not likely ............................................

NET: Not likely ............................................

NET: Not likely ............................................

Harvard IOP Survey Fall 2014

All of them .....................................................

Your member of Congress?

All members of Congress?

Harvard IOP Survey Fall 2014

Do you have health insurance?

Yes, my employer provides it ........................

Decline to answer ...........................................

Harvard IOP Survey Fall 2014

Harvard IOP Survey Fall 2014

Which one of these best describes your religious preference?

[If NOT No Religious Preference in Q58, ask Q59]

How important is religion in your own life?