Rasmussen Reports offered a glimpse Wednesday into whats on voters minds as the 2014 election cycle begins. Rasmussen released a national poll which finds likely voters continue to worry about the economy, jobs and health care, among other issues.
More voters continue to believe the economy is a leading issue and will factor it into consideration when they cast their ballots in 2014. More than three-quarters of those surveyed -- 77 percent -- say the economy will be very important when they vote in congressional elections next year. Voters also say health care will matter come 2014 with 73 percent saying that issue will be very important when they vote in 2014.
Voters continue to stress job creation, Social Security and government spending will be on their minds when they vote in 2014. More than two thirds of those surveyed -- 68 percent -- say job creation will be very important when they vote. The same percentage say Social Security is very important when determining who to vote for. A slightly lower percentage -- 67 percent -- of those surveyed say government spending will be a major factor when casting their votes.
Strong majorities say other issues will be very important in 2014. With recent reports that Attorney General Eric Holder was investigating journalists and the IRS targeting tea party groups, 64 percent of those surveyed say government ethics and corruption will be very important when they vote in 2014. Almost the same percentage -- 62 percent -- say taxes will be very important in determining how they vote, while 59 percent say education will be very important.
National security is less important to voters according to Rasmussen. The poll finds 54 percent say national security will be very important when they vote in 2014. A much smaller percentage -- 34 percent -- say the war in Afghanistan will be very important when they cast their ballots.
With immigration reform on center stage in Washington, 51 percent say immigration will be very important come 2014. Half of voters say energy will be very important, while slightly less than half -- 49 percent -- say small-business issues will be very important when they vote.
Despite the debate that took place after the Connecticut school shooting in December 2012, 47 percent of those surveyed say gun control will be a major factor in determining how they will vote next year. Barely a third of the voters surveyed -- 36 percent -- say the environment will be very important when they cast their votes in 2014.
The poll of 1,000 likely voters was taken from June 16-17, June 20-21 and June 24-25 and had a margin of error of +/- 3 percent.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at 904-521-3722
