Arizonans Support Mandating the Pledge of Allegiance and a Moment of Silence

Voters are Split on Expanding Vouchers

PHOENIX (March 25th, 2021) – As the Arizona Legislature finds itself as closely divided as it's been in a generation, lawmakers are duking it out over several key topics that reach everything from Arizona's schools to punishments for rioters to a governor's emergency powers.

"In two chambers where Republicans hold the barest possible majorities and any single Republican Senator or House member can torpedo a bill by siding with the Democrats, public support of a given policy could be a powerful tool," says OH Predictive Insights Chief of Research Mike Noble.

Of the potential policy issues that were tested, requiring children from kindergarten through the fourth grade to recite the pledge of allegiance in the classroom is the most popular. At the same time, the electorate is much less sure about whether the legislature should be able to limit governors' emergency declarations.

This data was sourced from OHPI's Arizona Public Opinion Pulse (AZPOP), conducted from March 8–12, surveying 690 registered voters in Arizona with a margin of error of 3.7%.

A bill that would require kindergarteners through fourth graders to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and a Moment of Silence for students from fifth grade to high school seniors (HB2060) has made it into the House. Requiring the Pledge of Allegiance has the overall approval of voters (60% support/15% oppose) with a near-unanimous approval from Republicans. Democrats are much more divided in their support as well as Independents. Popularity for the Pledge mandate cuts across age — voters over 55 years old are more supportive of the policy than younger voters of their same party.

When it comes to the Moment of Silence, 45% back the idea, and 16% oppose it. With less partisan division, 55% of Republicans, 42% of Democrats, and 36% of Independents side with the issue. Women, in particular, were more supportive (49%) while men were less so (40%).

Staying in the classroom but moving to the topic of school vouchers, Arizona voters rejected the expansion of school vouchers when it last appeared on the ballot two years ago. Bills SB1452, SB1513, and HB2503 would vastly expand school vouchers to nearly all students, bringing significant education funding changes. Arizonans are closely split in their approval for this set of bills (38% support, 30% oppose). Older voters had higher opposition than younger voters of all parties.

Another bill (HB2309) would create a new crime directed at rioters called "violent or disorderly assembly," set as a class 6 felony. Most Arizona voters back this policy. There is, however, disparity among Democrats on the issue: 66% of Moderate/Conservative Democrats support this policy while only 37% of Liberal Democrats give their approval.

Last but not least is Governor Ducey. The Arizona Senate passed a measure that would limit the Governor's powers in states of emergency by requiring the legislature's involvement (S.C.R. 1003). Support for this policy depends mainly on how concerned a voter is about the Coronavirus pandemic — approval is highest among those least concerned about COVID-19.

PDF Poll toplines and crosstabs (PDF)

Methodology: This online opt-in panel survey was completed by OH Predictive Insights from March 8–12, 2021, from an Arizona Statewide Registered Voter sample. The sample demographics were weighted to accurately reflect gender, region, age, party affiliation, ethnicity, and education. Sample size: 690 registered voters, MoE ± 3.7%.

Media Contacts: Mike Noble, OH Predictive Insights — [email protected], (480) 313-1837 | Haylye Plaster — [email protected], (602) 687-3034