The Tennessee Poll
Since 1989 SSRI has conducted the Tennessee Poll, a statewide household telephone survey. SSRI encourages researchers interested in this population to submit questions for possible inclusion in the Tennessee Poll. Past topics have included: national elections; crime; the environment; gambling; corruption in government; drug and alcohol use; and ideology.
The following table highlights some of the trends in public opinion on major issues in this state from 1989 to 1996. All data are derived from the Tennessee Poll. Data for years prior to 1996 represent yearly averages.
| Trends in Tennessee Public Opinion, 1989-96 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | AVG. |
Party Identification |
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| Democrat | 31% | 32% | 30% | 31% | 34% | 35% | 33% | 30% | 32% |
| Independent | 40% | 41% | 43% | 39% | 38% | 33% | 33% | 37% | 38% |
| Republican | 30% | 27% | 27% | 30% | 28% | 32% | 34% | 34% | 30% |
Ideology |
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| Liberal | 15% | 14% | 17% | 15% | 12% | 17% | 17% | 17% | 16% |
| Moderate | 54% | 51% | 51% | 50% | 45% | 38% | 45% | 43% | 47% |
| Conservative | 31% | 35% | 32% | 35% | 43% | 45% | 38% | 40% | 37% |
State Lottery |
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| Favor | 60% | 62% | 70% | 70% | 72% | 71% | 67% | 70% | 68% |
| Not Sure | 6% | 6% | 6% | 8% | 4% | 6% | 6% | 7% | 6% |
| Oppose | 34% | 32% | 24% | 22% | 24% | 23% | 27% | 23% | 26% |
State Income Tax |
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| Favor | 30% | 30% | 34% | 32% | 31% | 26% | 31% | 23% | 30% |
| Not Sure | 11% | 12% | 10% | 10% | 8% | 15% | 10% | 11% | 11% |
| Oppose | 59% | 58% | 56% | 58% | 61% | 59% | 59% | 66% | 60% |
Abortion Law |
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| Make it Easier to Obtain Abortion | 5% | 7% | 9% | 7% | 10% | n/d | 8% | 5% | 7% |
| Current Policy is About Right | 49% | 50% | 47% | 49% | 43% | n/d | 46% | 48% | 47% |
| Abortion Should be Harder to Obtain | 46% | 43% | 44% | 44% | 47% | n/d | 46% | 47% | 45% |