Poll: Ohioans don't share views with elected leaders
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Most Ohioans feel their elected leaders don't represent their views, according to a new Baldwin Wallace community poll.
Why it matters: Across the political spectrum, from Democratic President Joe Biden to the Republican state legislature and Gov. Mike DeWine, every elected official received a net negative rating from respondents.
How it works: The survey asked around 900 registered voters how certain officials represented their views — "excellent," "good," "fair" or "poor."
- The net satisfaction rate was calculated by subtracting "fair" and "poor" responses from "excellent" and "good."
Between the lines: On the issues, survey results showed "stark differences" between voters and elected officials, per Baldwin Wallace, especially on hot-button topics like education, guns, abortion and immigration.
- More than 80% of respondents supported teaching the history of race and racism in the U.S.
- More than 60% supported teaching sexual orientation in middle and high schools.
Yes, but: Significant majorities reject protections for transgender people.
- 74% either "somewhat oppose" or "strongly oppose" allowing transgender athletes to play on the sports team that matches their gender identity.
Stunning stat: As voters prepare to cast their votes on Issue 1, the constitutional amendment proposing to reform how the state draws its legislative districts, 69% of voters say they oppose gerrymandering.
The bottom line: On many issues, the Ohio electorate is divided, but one thing they all seem to agree on is that their elected representatives don't represent them well.