GALLUP NEWS SERVICE
SEPTEMBER ELECTION BENCHMARK
-- FINAL TOPLINE --

Timberline: 937008
IS: 806
Princeton Job #: 16-09-014
Jeff Jones, Lydia Saad
September 14-18, 2016
Results are based on telephone interviews conducted September 14-18, 2016 with a random sample of –1,033—
adults, aged 18+, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. For results based on this sample of
national adults, the margin of sampling error is ±4 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
For results based on the sample of -- 931 -- registered voters, the margin of sampling error is ±4 percentage
points at the 95% confidence level.
For results based on the sample of -- 480 -- Republicans and Republican leaning independents, the margin of
sampling error is ±5 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
For results based on the sample of -- 491 -- Democrats and Democratic leaning independents, the margin of
sampling error is ±5 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
Interviews are conducted with respondents on landline telephones and cellular phones, with interviews
conducted in Spanish for respondents who are primarily Spanish-speaking. Each sample of national adults
includes a minimum quota of 60% cell phone respondents and 40% landline respondents, with additional
minimum quotas by region. Landline and cell phone telephone numbers are selected using random digit dial
methods. Landline respondents are chosen at random within each household on the basis of which member has
the next birthday.
Samples are weighted to correct for unequal selection probability, non-response, and double coverage of
landline and cell users in the two sampling frames. They are also weighted to match the national demographics
of gender, age, race, Hispanic ethnicity, education, region, population density, and phone status (cell phoneonly/landline only/both and cell phone mostly). Demographic weighting targets are based on the March 2015
Current Population Survey figures for the aged 18 and older U.S. population. Phone status targets are based on
the July-December 2015 National Health Interview Survey. Population density targets are based on the 2010
census. All reported margins of sampling error include the computed design effects for weighting.
In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce
error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.

 Next,
Q.7-8 ROTATED
7.

8.

How would you describe the political views of Hillary Clinton – [ROTATED: very liberal, liberal,
moderate, conservative (or) very conservative]?
Very
liberal

Liberal

Moderate

Conservative

Very
Conservative

No
opinion

Registered Voters
2016 Sep 14-18

27

31

25

9

3

5

National adults
2016 Sep 14-18
2007 Dec 14-16

25
22

29
34

26
22

10
12

4
4

6
5

How would you describe the political views of Donald Trump – [ROTATED: very liberal, liberal,
moderate, conservative (or) very conservative]?
Very
liberal

Liberal

Moderate

Conservative

Very
Conservative

No
opinion

Registered Voters
2016 Sep 14-18

8

11

22

31

16

12

National adults
2016 Sep 14-18

8

12

21

30

17

13

SUMMARY TABLE I: COMPARISON OF CANDIDATE POLITICAL VIEWS VS. SELF, BASED ON
REGISTERED VOTERS
Hillary Clinton

Donald Trump

A lot more liberal than self

34

13

Somewhat more liberal

15

18

Same views

24

22

Somewhat more conservative

15

14

A lot more conservative than self

6

21

No opinion / Undesignated

5

12

 SUMMARY TABLE II: COMPARISON OF OWN VIEWS AND CANDIDATES’ POLITICAL VIEWS
(D10/Q.7/Q.8)
Total liberal

Moderate

Total conservative

2016
Registered voters’ own views
(RV) Views of Donald Trump
(RV) Views of Hillary Clinton

25
19
58

37
22
25

36
47
12

2012
Registered voters’ own views
(RV) Views of Mitt Romney
(RV) Views of Barack Obama

23
11
60

31
21
22

42
60
12

2008
Registered voters’ own views
(RV) Views of John McCain
(RV) Views of Barack Obama

21
9
62

34
26
24

43
62
11

2004 Jul 19-21
Registered voters’ own views
(RV) Views of George W. Bush
(RV) Views of John Kerry

19
8
48

39
18
32

40
68
15

1992 Oct 5-7
Registered voters’ own views
(RV) Views of George H.W. Bush
(RV) Views of Bill Clinton
(RV) Views of Ross Perot

15
9
42
20

44
20
32
21

37
59
15
29

D10.

How would you describe your political views – [ROTATED: very liberal, liberal, moderate, conservative
(or) very conservative]?

2016 Sep 14-18

Very
liberal

Liberal

Moderate

Conservative

Very
Conservative

No
opinion

8

17

37

27

9

2