Seven out of 10 Americans support the idea of school choice when the concept is explained to them, according to a new poll from Democratic polling firm Beck Research. Support is actually higher among Latinos and millennials — three-quarters of each demographic support school choice.
Eighty percent of Republicans support school choice, with 66 percent support from independents. Democratic support is up to 65 percent, from 60 percent last year. Nearly two-thirds of Americans said they were more likely to support their state or national legislators if they had a record of expanding school choice.
The poll was sponsored by the pro-school choice group, the American Federation for Children. This was the second edition of the annual poll.
“This poll proves what we’ve known for a long time — candidates who reject choice will pay a political price,” said Kevin Chavous, a founding board member with the American Federation for Children. Chavous gave the example of Florida’s 2014 gubernatorial election, in which Democrat Charlie Crist narrowly lost to incumbent Gov. Rick Scott. Scott saw his support from African-American voters more than double, and Chavous cites Crist’s opposition to school choice as a key reason why.
“Democratic voters support school choice, the programs overwhelmingly benefit families represented by Democrats. Families will only tolerate being represented by politicians who oppose their child’s right to attend a quality school for only so long. It’s time candidates in my party take back the civil rights issue of our time, stand up to the teachers’ union and support our parents who want more access to school choice,” Chavous said.
Chavous is a Democrat himself, who formerly served on Washington, D.C.’s city council and once ran for mayor.
The polling question asked respondents: “Generally speaking, would you say you favor or oppose the concept of school choice? School choice gives parents the right to use the tax dollars associated with their child’s education to send their child to the public or private school which better serves their needs.”
The poll surveyed 1,100 Americans who are likely to vote in the November 2016 elections. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.
Jason Russell is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
