2008 Georgia Women's Policy Survey

METHODOLOGY:

The 2008 Georgia Women’s Policy Survey is a scientific telephone survey of men and women conducted Jan. 31, 2008, through Feb. 9, 2008, by The Schapiro Group, Inc.The poll surveyed Georgia voters on issues of importance to women and their families.

The poll is really two polls in one because of the sample: 400 registered voters who reflect the gender balance of the state (224 of whom are women), plus an additional 200 female registered voters from across the state. Thus, there is a poll of 400 registered voters (margin of sampling error ±3.9%) as well as a poll of 424 registered female voters (margin of sampling error ±3.8%).

FINDINGS:

• Poll finds significant disconnect between Georgia voters and legislators.
o 67% of Georgia voters are more likely to re-elect a legislator who has a track record of supporting legislation that has a positive impact on women
o 59% of Georgia voters feel like their voice is not heard by legislators and politicians
o Only 37% of Georgia voters feel that the legislature is made up of people just like them

• Georgia voters support legislation that would provide protected, unpaid leave for parents to attend medical appointments and school conferences.
o 84% of Georgia voters feel it’s important that every working parent in Georgia is able to take time off of work to go to the doctor, take a child or elderly relative to the doctor, or participate in their child’s school when necessary without risking their jobs.
o 74% of Georgia voters support legislation that would make it illegal for Georgia businesses to punish or fire employees who take a small amount of unpaid leave either to go to the doctor, take a child or elderly relative to the doctor, or participate in their child’s school when necessary.

• An overwhelming majority of Georgia voters believe all workers in Georgia should be paid at or above federal minimum wage.
o 89% of Georgia voters believe all Georgians should be paid at or above the federal rate.
o 84% of Georgia voters would support legislation to raise the state minimum wage.

• Georgia voters want protection of an individual’s right to make medical decisions.
o 86% of all voters, and 90% of Republican voters, feel it’s very important that all people are allowed to make medical decisions for themselves without government interference.

• Georgians want access to quality, affordable healthcare for all Georgians, regardless of income.
o 86% of Georgia voters feel it’s very important we make sure all Georgians, regardless of income, have options for buying health insurance that is secure and affordable.

• Georgians overwhelmingly support expanding the PeachCare program.
o 84% of Georgia voters and 88% of female voters in Georgia support expanding the PeachCare program so that all parents in Georgia are eligible to buy quality health insurance for their children at a price they can afford based on the their income.

• Georgia voters want health plans that cover basic medical services and oppose allowing health insurance companies to sell high deductible, poor quality health plans.
o 83 % of Georgia voters feel it’s important that all health plans pay for basic medical services.
o 66% of Georgia voters oppose legalizing high deductible, poor quality health plans.

Click here to download the Executive Summary.

Click here to download the Survey Toplines.