A new statewide poll suggests that political change could be in the air in Kansas.
The poll by John Zogby Strategies shows 71 percent of voters surveyed gave low ratings on how the state is performing its duties.
The survey included 433 registered voters in Kansas from June 4-6, 2016 and has a margin of error of +/- 4.7 percent. Political analyst John Zogby released the findings during a Kansas Health Foundation symposium in Wichita on Friday.
Zogby says the research suggests that Kansans might feel betrayed, especially when it comes to state policy issues.
“Overall, when it came to education, when it came to the safety net, when it came to infrastructure, taxes and spending, voters statewide just have a very low sentiment toward Kansas state government,” says Zogby.
Zogby says one in five Kansas voters is still un-decided about who they want for president. He expects millennials to drive that election.
A big turnout could mean Democrats win in Kansas. “If they don’t turn out to vote,” says Zogby, “it’s very competitive.”
The poll shows Kansas voters, at this point, are leaning toward Democrat Hillary Clinton. Zogby says if that trend continues, Kansas could be a battleground state come November.
Deborah Shaar is a reporter for KMUW, a partner with us in a statewide collaboration covering elections in Kansas. Funding for this editorially independent collaboration is provided by the Kansas Health Foundation.
