This Washington Post poll was conducted by telephone Aug. 11-14, 2016, among a random
sample of 1,002 adults in the Commonwealth of Virginia, including landline and cell
phone respondents. Results have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4
percentage points. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by Abt-SRBI of New York.
*= less than 0.5 percent
(Full methodological details and sampling error margins for subgroups appended at the
end.)
RV=Registered voters

LV=Likely voters

1. (AMONG REGISTERED VOTERS) I'd like you to rate the chances that you will vote in
the presidential election in November: Are you absolutely certain to vote, will you
probably vote, are the chances 50-50, or less than that?

8/14/16
10/26/12
9/16/12
10/25/08
9/21/08

RV
RV
RV
RV
RV

Certain
to vote
80
88
89
88
88

Probably
vote
9
4
4
4
6

Chances
50/50
6
2
4
2
5

Don't think
will vote
(vol.)
1
1
1
*

Less than
that
3
1
3
1
2

Already
voted
(vol.)
NA
3
NA
5
NA

No
op.
1
*
*
*

2. (AMONG REGISTERED VOTERS) If the presidential election were being held today and
the candidates were (Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine, the Democrats) and (Donald Trump
and Mike Pence, the Republicans), for whom would you vote? Would you lean toward
(Clinton and Kaine) or toward (Trump and Pence)?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE – REG VOTERS

8/14/16
8/14/16

RV
LV

Clinton
52
51

Trump
38
43

Other
(vol.)
1
1

Neither
(vol.)
5
4

Would not
vote (vol.)
2
-

No
opinion
1
1

3. If the presidential election were being held today and the candidates were
[(Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine, the Democrats), (Donald Trump and Mike Pence, the
Republicans)], [(Gary Johnson and Bill Weld of the Libertarian Party) and (Jill Stein
and Ajamu Baraka of the Green Party)], for whom would you vote? Would you lean toward
[(Clinton and Kaine), (Trump and Pence)], [(Johnson and Weld) or (Stein and Baraka)]?
NET LEANED VOTE PREFERENCE – REG VOTERS

8/14/16
8/14/16

Hillary
Clinton
RV 45
LV 46

Donald
Trump
34
39

Gary
Johnson
11
9

Jill
Stein
4
3

Other
(vol.)
1
1

None
of these
(vol.)
3
1

Would
not vote
(vol.)
1
-

No
opinion
1
1

4. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as
president? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?

8/14/16
8/14/16
9/22/13
5/2/13

RV
RV

-------- Approve ------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
55
38
18
55
39
16
48
25
23
51
27
24

------- Disapprove -----NET
Somewhat
Strongly
39
8
31
41
8
33
49
12
38
46
11
34

No
opinion
6
4
3
3

1

 10/26/12
9/16/12
5/2/12
5/4/11
10/25/09
10/7/09
9/17/09
8/14/09

54
52
53
52
57
58
53
57

RV
RV
LV
RV

36
31
32
29
37
37
38
39

19
21
21
23
20
21
15
17

42
43
44
43
40
39
47
41

9
9
13
12
12
11
11
11

33
34
30
31
28
28
36
31

4
5
3
5
3
3
1
2

Thinking about Virginia,
5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Terry McAuliffe is handling his job as
governor? Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?

8/14/16
8/14/16 RV

-------- Approve ------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
53
22
31
53
22
31

------- Disapprove -----NET
Somewhat
Strongly
31
13
18
33
14
20

No
opinion
16
14

Compare to:
Bob McDonnell:

9/22/13
5/2/13
9/16/12
5/2/12
5/4/11

RV
RV
RV
RV
RV

-------- Approve -------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
49
13
36
64
19
44
58
24
34
58
18
40
64
23
41

------- Disapprove -----NET
Somewhat
Strongly
39
22
17
27
14
13
27
13
14
36
19
16
26
12
13

No
opinion
11
9
15
7
11

Tim Kaine:

5/4/11*
10/25/09 LV
10/7/09 LV
9/17/09 LV
8/14/09
9/21/08 RV
10/8/07 All
10/12/06 LV

-------- Approve -------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
58
24
34
58
23
35
60
25
36
59
27
33
56
21
34
66
63
77

------- Disapprove -----NET
Somewhat
Strongly
30
14
15
38
17
21
37
19
19
38
17
22
36
18
18
25
25
19

No
opinion
12
4
2
2
8
9
12
4

*2011: “Thinking back to when Tim Kaine was governor, would say you approve or
disapprove of the way Kaine handled his job as governor?”
Mark Warner:

10/26/05 LV
9/9/05
RV

-------- Approve -------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
80
NA
NA
76
NA
NA

------- Disapprove -----NET
Somewhat
Strongly
17
NA
NA
22
NA
NA

No
opinion
3
2

Jim Gilmore:

10/25/01 LV
8/23/01 RV
8/27/00 RV

---------Approve--------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
62
25
37
57
NA
NA
70
25
45

--------Disapprove-----NET
Strongly
Somewhat
33
18
16
36
NA
NA
20
8
12

No
opin.
5
7
10

2

 George Allen:

10/21/97
9/16/97 RV

---------Approve--------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
66
NA
NA
67
NA
NA

--------Disapprove------NET
Somewhat
Strongly
27
NA
NA
26
NA
NA

No
opin.
6
7

6. (AMONG LEANED REPUBLICAN REGISTERED VOTERS) Out of the candidates who ran, who did
you want to see win the Republican nomination for president this year? (IF NEEDED) Was
it Trump or one of the other candidates?
8/14/16

RV

Trump
40

Other
54

No opinion
6

7. (AMONG LEANED DEMOCRATIC REGISTERED VOTERS) Out of the candidates who ran, who did
you want to see win the Democratic nomination for president this year? (IF NEEDED) Was
it Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders or someone else?

8/14/16

RV

Clinton
54

Sanders
35

Someone
else (vol.)
7

No
opinion
5

8. Overall, do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of [ITEM]? Do you feel
that way strongly, or somewhat?
8/14/16 – Summary Table

a.
b.
c.
d.

Hillary Clinton
Donald Trump
Tim Kaine
Mike Pence

------- Favorable ------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
44
23
21
31
15
16
52
28
24
35
17
19

------ Unfavorable -----NET
Somewhat
Strongly
53
10
42
66
11
55
35
16
19
33
14
18

No
opinion
4
3
13
32

Trend:
a-b. No trend
c. Tim Kaine

8/14/16
8/14/16
10/26/12
9/16/12
5/2/12
5/4/11
10/12/06
10/26/05
9/9/05

RV
RV
RV
LV
LV
RV

------- Favorable ------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
52
28
24
54
30
24
55
26
30
54
22
32
41
15
26
56
17
38
67
NA
NA
58
NA
NA
55
NA
NA

------ Unfavorable -----NET
Somewhat
Strongly
35
16
19
37
16
20
33
16
16
34
16
18
39
21
18
28
16
12
23
NA
NA
33
NA
NA
25
NA
NA

No
opinion
13
9
12
11
20
17
10
8
21

d. No trend
9. (AMONG REGISTERED VOTERS) Does Clinton’s choice of Tim Kaine as her vice
presidential running mate make you more likely to vote for Clinton, less likely, or
won’t it make any difference in your vote?

3

 8/14/16

RV

More
likely
26

Less
likely
7

No
difference
66

No
opinion
1

10. (AMONG REGISTERED VOTERS) Does Trump’s choice of Mike Pence as his vice
presidential running mate make you more likely to vote for Trump, less likely, or
won’t it make any difference in your vote?

8/14/16

RV

More
likely
15

Less
likely
10

No
difference
74

No
opinion
2

Turning back to Virginia,
11. Generally speaking, how would you rate the overall economy of Virginia: excellent,
good, not-so-good or poor?

8/14/16
5/2/13
10/8/07 LV
9/9/05
RV
10/25/01 LV
8/23/01 RV
8/27/00 RV
10/27/97 LV
9/16/97 RV

----Excellent/Good---NET
Excellent
Good
72
11
62
61
5
56
72
10
62
83
12
70
76
8
68
78
9
69
87
21
67
83
16
67
82
15
68

----Not so
NET
Not
25
38
28
17
23
21
12
16
17

good/Poor---so good Poor
17
8
29
9
23
5
14
3
20
3
18
4
10
2
13
3
13
4

No
opin.
2
1
*
*
1
1
1
1
1

12. Since McAuliffe became governor in 2014, do you think the economy in Virginia has
gotten better, gotten worse, or has it stayed the same?
8/14/16

Better
23

Worse
12

Same
59

No opinion
6

13. Which best describes your family’s financial situation? Do you feel as if you
(are getting ahead financially), have just enough money to maintain your standard of
living, or (are falling behind financially)?
Getting ahead
financially
8/14/16
23
5/4/11
19
6/3/07
33

Have just enough
money to maintain
your standard of living
58
54
50

Falling behind
financially
17
27
16

No
opinion
2
*
1

14. In April, Governor McAuliffe signed an executive order restoring voting rights to
felons who have completed their prison sentences, probation and parole. Do you support
or oppose McAuliffe’s action restoring voting rights for felons in Virginia? Do you
feel that way strongly or somewhat?

8/14/16

---------Support--------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
61
37
24

----------Oppose--------NET
Somewhat
Strongly
34
13
21

No
opin.
6

4

 15. Do you think McAuliffe took action to restore felons’ voting rights mainly because
he thinks (it’s the right thing to do) or because he thinks (it will help Democrats
win elections)?

8/14/16

Right thing
to do
45

Will help
Democrats win
42

(Vol.)
Both
4

(Vol.)
Neither
1

No
opin.
8

On another subject…
16. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a jury’s verdict that former Governor
Robert McDonnell was guilty of public corruption for receiving gifts and loans from a
businessman while he was in office. Do you agree or disagree with the Supreme Court’s
decision to reverse his conviction? Do you agree/disagree strongly or somewhat?

8/14/16

RV

----------Agree---------NET
Strongly
Somewhat
38
19
19

---------Disagree-------NET
Somewhat
Strongly
47
16
31

No
opin.
15

17. Do you think former Governor Robert McDonnell should or should not run for
elected office again in Virginia?
8/14/16

Should
21

Should not
67

No opinion
12

18. Last year Virginia passed a law banning state lawmakers and candidates running for
office from accepting gifts worth more than one-hundred dollars from lobbyists or
people seeking to do business with the state government. Do you think this restriction
(goes too far) in restricting gifts to Virginia lawmakers, (does not go far enough),
or is it about right?

8/14/16

Goes
too far
11

Does not
go far enough
23

About
right
61

No
opinion
5

Questions 19-20 held for release.
21. Do you happen to have a family member or close friend who [ITEM]?
8/14/16 – Summary Table
No
Yes
No
opinion
a. has said they support Clinton for president*
45
51
5
b. has said they support Trump for president*
39
58
3
c. is Black or African American*
76
24
*
d. is an immigrant
47
52
1
e. is Hispanic*
55
45
1
f. is a NASCAR fan
47
50
3
g. drives a hybrid vehicle
32
67
2
h. drives a pick-up truck
71
29
*
i. is a police officer or firefighter
51
48
1
j. is gay or lesbian
60
40
*
k. currently works at a restaurant or retail job
55
45
*
l. has ever been convicted of a felony
35
63
3
*Half sample asked items a-f; other half asked items g-l; non-Clinton supporters asked
item a; non-Trump supporters asked item b; non-blacks asked item c; non-Hispanics
asked item e.
22. Do you favor or oppose stricter gun control laws in this country?
Favor

Oppose

No opinion

5

 8/14/16
5/2/12
6/3/07
23.

57
53
58

40
44
38

3
2
4

Do you or does anyone in your house own a gun, or not?
Yes
48
49
43
45

8/14/16
5/2/13
5/2/12
8/23/01

No
50
50
56
55

No opinion
2
1
1
*

24. Did you happen to vote in the last presidential election, when Barack Obama ran
against Mitt Romney, or did you skip that one?
8/14/16

Did vote
74

Did not vote
26

No opinion
*

25. (ASK IF VOTED IN 2012) Which candidate did you vote for?
Obama
54

8/14/16

Romney
41

Someone else
3

No opinion
2

24/25 NET:

8/14/16

----------- Voted in 2012 --------NET
Obama
Romney
Someone else
74
38
30
2

Did not
vote
26

No
opinion
*

26. Are you, or is anyone in your household serving in the military or a military
veteran, or not? Is that you or someone in your household?

8/14/16

---------------Yes, military household---------------Yes,
Yes,
Yes,
Yes,
NET
respondent
other HH member
Both
No opinion
39
11
25
3
*

No
60

No opinion
*

Party ID. Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as a Democrat, a
Republican, an independent or what?
8/14/16
10/27/13
10/27/13
10/27/13
9/22/13
9/22/13
9/22/13
5/2/13
5/2/13
5/2/13
10/26/12
9/16/12
5/2/12
5/4/11
10/25/09
10/7/09
9/17/09

RV
LV
RV
LV
RV
LV

Democrat
31
32
33
35
33
33
33
28
30
30
31
32
31
31
33
33
33

Republican
21
24
28
27
24
26
26
26
26
28
23
24
25
22
24
25
25

Independent
37
31
33
33
33
34
34
33
33
34
36
35
36
36
34
34
33

Other
7
6
4
4
6
6
6
8
8
8
6
5
5
7
6
6
7

No op.
3
7
2
*
5
1
*
4
3
*
3
4
2
4
2
2
2

6

 8/14/09
10/25/08
9/21/08
10/8/07
6/3/07
10/12/06
10/26/05
9/9/05
10/25/01
8/23/01
10/26/00
8/27/00
10/21/97
9/16/97
6/23/94
9/28/93
11/2/89

LV
LV
RV
LV
RV
LV
RV
LV
RV
RV
LV

31
35
33
30
34
33
33
32
31
32
33
29
31
28
29
30
33

28
26
24
27
27
32
37
34
37
33
32
34
32
31
29
30
32

37
31
34
38
28
32
26
29
26
29
28
32
31
35
32
35
31

3
6
7
4
4
3
3
4
5
5
6
5
5
4
8
4
3

1
1
2
1
6
*
1
*
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1

***END***
METHODOLOGICAL DETAILS
The poll includes interviews in English and Spanish and is a random sample of Virginia
adult residents.
This questionnaire was administered with the exact questions in the exact order as
they appear in this document. Voter registration, demographics, religious identity
questions and religious attendance are not shown. If a question was asked of a reduced
base of the sample, a parenthetical preceding the question identifies the group asked.
Phrases surrounded by parentheticals within questions indicate clauses that were
randomly rotated for respondents. Results preceded by “RV” indicate results among
registered voters, with “LV” indicating likely voters and other results are among
adults overall.
A dual frame landline and cellular phone telephone sample was generated using Random
Digit Dialing procedures. Interviewers called landline and cellular phone numbers,
first requesting to speak with the youngest adult male or female at home. The final
sample included 451 interviews completed on landlines and 551 interviews completed via
cellular phones, including 262 interviews with adults in cell phone-only households.
This survey uses statistical weighting procedures to account for deviations in the
survey sample from known population characteristics, which helps correct for
differential survey participation and random variation in samples. The overall adult
sample is weighted to correct for differential probabilities of selection among
individuals who are landline-only, cell phone-only or dual users according to National
Health Interview Survey commonwealth-level estimates for Virginia. Results are also
weighted match the demographic makeup of the population according to the latest
Current Population Survey Social and Economic Supplement by age, race/ethnicity, sex,
education and region of the commonwealth.
All error margins have been adjusted to account for the survey’s design effect, which
is 1.47 for this survey. The design effect is a factor representing the survey’s
deviation from a simple random sample, and takes into account decreases in precision
due to sample design and weighting procedures. Surveys that do not incorporate a
design effect overstate their precision.
Group
All adults
Registered voters
Likely voters
Half sample

Unweighted
sample size
1,002
888
707
427-506

Error margin
+/- 4 points
4
4.5
5.5

7

 The Washington Post is a charter member of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, which
recognizes organizations that disclose key methodological details on the research they
produce.
Contact polls@washpost.com for further information about how The Washington Post
conducts polls.

8