Public Opinion on Political Campaigns and Suggested Reforms
Public Opinion on Political Campaigns and Suggested Reforms
Key findings include:
Roughly half (54%) of adults think political campaigns should last less than six months. Overall, 40% of adults think that the United States has “about the right amount” of political debates during a campaign.
The vast majority of adults (82%) think that limiting the amount of money campaigns can spend would improve the campaign process. Overall, 69% of adults think that raising the limit for individual campaign contributions would not improve the campaign process and over half (52%) think reducing the limit for individual contributions would improve the process. The majority of adults (77%) think that disclosing who is paying for attack ads and who is paying for independent advertising (74%) would improve the electoral process. Nearly 8 in 10 (76%) adults think discouraging negative advertising would improve the campaign process. Fifty-six percent of adults think holding a few primaries instead of caucuses or state primaries would improve the campaign process. The majority of adults (69%) do not think making voting mandatory would improve the campaign process. Adults are divided regarding whether the elimination of the Electoral College would improve the campaign process. Fifty-one percent think eliminating the Electoral College would not improve the process, while 40% think it would, and 10% are not sure.
The survey was conducted for AARP by Social Science Research Solutions (SSRS), an independent research firm. Interviews were conducted October 20-26, 2011, among a nationally representative sample of adults age 18 and older. For more information, please contact Colette Thayer at .
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AARP Bulletin Survey on Political Campaign Processes
This and Related Reports
(Full Report, PDF) Campaign finance and election reforms are topics that have received a lot of attention in American politics. Given the recent Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC in January 2010 and the upcoming presidential election, the AARP Bulletin commissioned a nationwide survey in October 2011 to assess public opinion on political campaigns and suggested reforms.Key findings include:
Roughly half (54%) of adults think political campaigns should last less than six months. Overall, 40% of adults think that the United States has “about the right amount” of political debates during a campaign.
The vast majority of adults (82%) think that limiting the amount of money campaigns can spend would improve the campaign process. Overall, 69% of adults think that raising the limit for individual campaign contributions would not improve the campaign process and over half (52%) think reducing the limit for individual contributions would improve the process. The majority of adults (77%) think that disclosing who is paying for attack ads and who is paying for independent advertising (74%) would improve the electoral process. Nearly 8 in 10 (76%) adults think discouraging negative advertising would improve the campaign process. Fifty-six percent of adults think holding a few primaries instead of caucuses or state primaries would improve the campaign process. The majority of adults (69%) do not think making voting mandatory would improve the campaign process. Adults are divided regarding whether the elimination of the Electoral College would improve the campaign process. Fifty-one percent think eliminating the Electoral College would not improve the process, while 40% think it would, and 10% are not sure.
The survey was conducted for AARP by Social Science Research Solutions (SSRS), an independent research firm. Interviews were conducted October 20-26, 2011, among a nationally representative sample of adults age 18 and older. For more information, please contact Colette Thayer at .
Cancel You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. Your email address is now confirmed. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. You can also by updating your account at anytime. You will be asked to register or log in. Cancel Offer Details Disclosures