RBI Poll Shows Proposed So-Called "Right-to-Work" Proposal Faces Uphill Battle
MEMORANDUM
TO: Interested Parties
FR: RBI Strategies & Research
RE: Survey Research on Possible Ballot Initiative on Employee Bargaining Rights
DT: June 27, 2007
Methodology
RBI Strategies & Research conducted a survey of 500 likely general election voters from April 21st-26th, 2007. A survey of this size has a margin of error of +/- 4.38%.
Summary of Findings
Overall, Colorado voters have an extremely positive view of the language behind Right-to-Work. When we asked how they feel about “Right to Work laws” 56% responded favorably and only 19% unfavorably.
However, that support is clearly based on the “slogan” and not the policy it supports. The reality is that Colorado voters currently oppose a ballot initiative on Right to Work. The following is the text of the question, which was based on the essential provisions included in the Oklahoma initiative that passed in 2001 and is very similar to the language filed in Colorado:
“Would you favor or oppose a statewide ballot initiative that would do the following: prohibit all labor contracts that would require joining a labor organization to get or keep a job or that require the payment of dues to labor organizations to get or keep a job.
If you had to vote on this initiative today, would you vote yes or no on this initiative? (Is that strongly or just somewhat?)”
Yes, strongly 20%
Yes, somewhat 13
Lean Yes 3 Total Yes = 36%
Undecided 7
Lean No 3 Total No = 56%
No, somewhat 16
No, strongly 37
DK/NA 2
Without including the words “Right to Work” in the ballot title or language, there is little support among Colorado voters for this potential initiative. Predictably, the opposition to the initiative is strong among Democrats (65% are against). However, even a majority of unaffiliated voters oppose the measure.
Conclusion
While it is very early to be talking about a ballot initiative with likely voters, these results indicate that the language proponents use in describing the measure is popular, but voters show little support for the actual policy behind the language.
That lack of support for the content of the initiative indicates that it faces an uphill battle. Most ballot proposals need a 55%-60% level of support in initial ballot language tests to be considered viable. Proponents of this initiative have a long way to go to convince Colorado voters to change the way labor unions and their members negotiate in this state.