9 in 10 Expect Gas Prices to be Higher Next Month...Again
Phoenix (June 1st, 2022)- Pain at the pump has been a reality for people across the nation. Gas prices continue to rise, but it’s not the only influx we’ve been seeing. Spending, in general, has been tugging at the wallets due to an international supply shortage. A recent study was conducted to assess Arizona sentiment toward the surge in gas prices and supply shortages. According to the latest Arizona Public Opinion Pulse (AZPOP) survey by OH Predictive Insights (OHPI), 97% of Arizona voters are concerned with gas prices, and 4 in 5 are concerned about supply shortages.
This AZPOP was conducted from May 9th – May 16th, 2022 and surveyed 938 Arizona registered voters with a margin of error of ± 3.3%.
Supply Shortage
Over half of Arizona registered voters (52%) said they have been directly affected by the supply shortage while 43% say they have not been directly affected. However, 80% are extremely/ very/ somewhat concerned about supply shortages.
Eighty-six percent of those who are extremely/ very/ somewhat concerned make more than $100k. 9 in 10 are homemakers, and 8 in 10 are suburban women. The higher shares of homemakers and upper-income suburban women that are driving overall concern with supply shortages could potentially be explained by the specific shortage of baby formula. The normal disruptions caused by the pandemic coupled with mass recalls of baby formula have resulted in spareness for baby formula users nationwide.
“The long-term anticipated impacts from the pandemic are surfacing as it globally disrupts the supply chain, heightening concern for Arizonans as supply shortage continues to burden virtually everyone, “said Mike Noble, OHPI Chief of Research.
Gas Prices
Ninety-one percent of Arizonans expect gas prices in Arizona to be much/somewhat higher one month from now. This is a 10% increase from the March AZPOP which said 80% of Arizonans expect gas prices to be higher the next month with only 15% expecting them to be the same or lower. This “optimistic” number has dropped down to 9% of Arizonans expecting things to turn around at the pump.
“The drop in optimistic outlook on the pain at the pump only elevates the importance of how candidates position themselves in order to address voter’s biggest concerns,” said Noble.
The recent AZPOP survey found that 36% of Arizonans blame rising gas prices on Joe Biden, 26% blame the oil companies and 23% blame the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Key Takeaway
A recent Pew Research study found that 7 in 10 Americans view inflation as the top problem facing the country today.
“With statistically all Arizona voters (97%) concerned with gas prices and 80% concerned with supply shortages, it is clear that pocketbook issues are a national, bipartisan pain point that must be tackled by leadership heading into this pivotal midterm election,” said Noble.
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Methodology: This poll was conducted as an online opt-in panel survey. The survey was completed by OH Predictive Insights from May 9 to May 16, 2022 from an Arizona Statewide Registered Voter sample. The sample demographics were weighted to accurately reflect the registered voter population by gender, region, age, party affiliation, ethnicity, and education according to a recent voter file derived from the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office and recent Census data. The sample size was 938 registered voters in Arizona, with a MoE of ± 3.3%. Numbers may not equal 100% due to rounding.
Media Contacts:
Veronica Sutliff, OH Predictive Insights, v.sutliff@ohpredictive.com, (602) 390-5248
Megan Newsham, OH Predictive Insights, m.newsham@ohpredictive.com, (314) 287-1985
About OH Predictive Insights: As a non-partisan market research, predictive analytics, and public opinion polling firm, Arizona-based OH Predictive Insights provides accurate polling, focus groups, data analytics, and advanced targeted marketing to political and non-political clients alike. With leading professionals in the advertising, communication, polling, and political arenas, OH Predictive Insights serves political and non-political clients looking to improve their footing with key stakeholders and consumers. For more information, please call 480-313-1837 or submit a request online atOHPredictive.com.