Science Professionals Most Trusted to Handle COVID-19

Voters Say Congress Needs More Members with a Background in Science

Global Strategy Group conducted an online survey of 1,002 likely voters nationwide from April 6th to 10th, 2020 on behalf of 314 Action to understand voters’ attitudes toward political candidates with a background in science in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

THE BOTTOMLINE: As the nation confronts a global pandemic, voters want more candidates with a background in science in office. In such an unprecedented time, voters think Washington politicians are ill-equipped to confront the crisis, and Congress would benefit from more science professionals who are professionally trained to make decisions based on evidence and facts.

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Click HERE to read the poll toplines.

KEY FINDINGS

In the current environment, voters overwhelmingly say knowing a candidate has a background in science makes them more favorable.

• Knowing that a candidate for office has a professional background in STEM makes voters much more favorable to that candidate. Voters credit scientists’ commitment to fact-based decision making as the reason for why they trust these professionals to handle the coronavirus pandemic and other major issues.

Science professionals are most trusted to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the greatest issues facing the U.S. now.

• STEM professionals are more trusted to handle the coronavirus pandemic and address the greatest issues the U.S. is facing than politicians and their traditional professional backgrounds of lawyers and businesspeople.

Voters overwhelmingly believe Congress would benefit from more members with a background in science.

• An overwhelming majority of voters agree that Congress would benefit from more members with a background in science (42% strongly agree/88% total agree). Voters trust candidates with a background in science to make decisions based on evidence and facts.

Voters believe our country’s politicians lack the experience necessary to address the coronavirus pandemic and blame politicians for not listening to scientists.

• Voters are most concerned that Trump and Republicans overruled scientists and failed to take decisive actions early enough to stop the virus. Most voters do not believe the Trump administration is well-equipped to address the coronavirus pandemic (54%), and even more think that the country’s politicians lack the experience necessary to handle the crisis (61%).
• Rather than rallying around the nation’s leader during this time of crisis, voters are unhappy with Trump and want leadership that will consult experts and facts to rebuild after the coronavirus pandemic.

Voters overwhelmingly believe it is very important for elected officials to have a basic understanding of science and to make decisions based on evidence and facts.

• Two-thirds of voters (66%) say it is very important for elected officials to have a basic understanding of science as the U.S. confronts the coronavirus pandemic.
• Notably, voters prefer evidence and fact-based decision making when it comes to addressing the pandemic (65% strongly agree) over making decisions based on what is best for the economy (29% strongly agree).

About the Poll

Global Strategy Group conducted an online survey of 1,002 likely voters nationwide from April 6th to 10th, 2020. The results have a margin of error of +/-3.1%. The margin of error among subgroups is greater.