Nevada Voter Sentiment on State Trajectory, Politician Job Approval, and Top Issues
PHOENIX (October 7, 2024)- Nearly halfway into his term, Nevadans’ dissatisfaction with the direction of the state has not translated to negative perceptions of Governor Lombardo’s performance, according to recent Nevada Public Opinion Pulse (NVPOP) data from Noble Predictive Insights.
This NVPOP, conducted from September 9–16, 2024, surveyed 812 registered voters in Nevada, yielding a margin of error of ± 3.44%.
September’s NVPOP found that while nearly 3 in 5 Nevada voters believe the Silver State is headed in the wrong direction, only 41% disapprove of Governor Lombardo’s leadership.
Lombardo’s slightly positive net approval rating is being buoyed by Independent voters. The share of Republicans who approve of the governor’s performance (68%) is counterbalanced by a similar share of Democrats who disapprove (63%). Independents and voters registered with third parties give Lombardo the slightest of edges – 39% approve, while 36% disapprove.
President Joe Biden, on the other hand, has struggled to regain the positive approval rating he had at the beginning of his term in office. Nearly 6 in 10 Nevada voters disapprove of Biden’s handling of the office of the presidency, while 39% approve. In July of 2021, 6 months into his tenure, 50% of voters approved of Biden’s handling, while 42% disapproved.
“It’s a tale of two Joe’s,” said NPI Chief of Research David Byler. “Biden quickly slipped underwater and has stayed there, while Lombardo has been keeping his head just above the waves.”
Taking a look at what factors contribute to Nevadans’ satisfaction – or lack thereof – with the direction of the state and politicians’ job performances, the NVPOP finds that a majority of voters are still concerned about inflation. More than half (56%) of Nevada voters listed inflation among the top three issues they believe are facing Nevada – with nearly a quarter (22%) saying it was the single most important issue.
A voter’s party affiliation plays a role in which issues they consider more important. Two-thirds (68%) of Republicans consider inflation a top-three issue facing Nevada, while only 43% of Democrats agree. Independents fall in between the two major parties, with 56% of these nonaffiliated voters ranking inflation in their top three.
Conversely, abortion is a much more salient issue among Democrats than it is among Republicans. Two in five (44%) Democrats say abortion is one of the three most important issues facing Nevada, while only 15% of Republicans agree. Independents, again, fall in between major-party voters, with 29% ranking abortion in their top three.
“Voters aren’t making it easy for politicians,” said Byler. “It’s difficult to unite the country if the country can’t even agree on which issues are the most important to address.”
The NVPOP Dashboard is now updated with the data from this release!
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Methodology: This poll was conducted as an online opt-in panel and text-to-online survey. The survey was completed by Noble Predictive Insights from September 9–16, 2024 from a Nevada statewide registered voter sample. The sample included 812 registered voters, and 692 likely general election voters (determined via screening questions). The sample demographics were weighted to accurately reflect gender, region, age, party affiliation, ethnicity, and education according to recent voter file data, the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office, and recent Census data. The margin of error was ± 3.44% for registered voters and ± 3.72% for likely voters. Numbers may not equal 100% due to rounding. Poll report can be found here
Media Contact:
Veronica Sutliff, Noble Predictive Insights, v.sutliff@npredictive.com
About Noble Predictive Insights: As a nonpartisan public opinion polling, market research, and data analytics firm, Noble Predictive Insights exists to transform how leaders make decisions by delivering data-based solutions and predictive insights that provide a clear path forward. We bridge the gap between research and strategy with customized strategic research, a hyper-focus on impact, and being true partners with our clients. Noble Predictive Insights (formerly OH Predictive Insights) is a 2023 Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company in the Southwest region, and is ranked in the top 15 most accurate pollsters as well as in the top 5 for lowest average bias in the 2021-22 election cycle by FiveThirtyEight. For more information, please call (602) 641-6565 or visit our website at www.noblepredictiveinsights.com.