Poll: Democrats Continue Losing Ground on Education

A recently-released poll sponsored by Democrats for Education Reform confirmed (again) a trend other polling, including our own, picked up over the past two years: Voters have flipped on which party they trust more on education.

For many years, Democrats enjoyed a strong and rewarding advantage over Republicans on education issues. But that’s not the case any longer.

The latest poll, released on July 28, examined four battleground states: North Carolina, Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada. The results? “Democrats, who once held a double-digit lead on trust in education, are now trailing Republicans (-3 percentage-points) among all voters” in the battleground states.

When asked which party they trust more in “making sure public schools are preparing students for success after high school by ensuring they are teaching students to read and do math well,” Republicans held a 36%-33% advantage.

North Carolina respondents gave Republicans the highest marks of the four states. Here, 40% of voters trust Republicans more compared to 32% of voters who trust Democrats more – a massive reversal of what has long been a decisive issue for the Democratic Party.

Democrats for Education Reform’s CEO said plainly what most political observers already know: “Voters — especially parents — want to see more choices for their children. Republicans are capitalizing on this.”

Democrats appear to be repeating the same mistake they made on voter ID: They’re doubling down in opposing a policy that voters overwhelmingly support.

Arguments for school choice are simple and powerful. Democrats have not made headway in persuading voters to oppose school choice.

Instead, by constantly going to war over school choice policies, Democrats have caused voters to abandon them on education issues writ large.

Notice the wording of the poll question: “Making sure public schools are preparing students for success…”

Voters are not following the nuance of public vs. public charter vs. private voucher arguments. It seems to us that voters recognize the broad contours – Republicans support school choice, Democrats oppose school choice – and render judgments accordingly.

For the sake of parents who know their children could perform better in a different education setting, we hope Democrats eventually abandon their opposition to school choice policies, just as national Democrats have begun doing on voter ID.

In the meantime, Republicans will keep reaping the electoral rewards.