Oklahoma Voters Weigh-in on Coronavirus Pandemic and Response

To help shed light on public opinion regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Oklahoma, Amber Integrated conducted a statewide poll of likely voters measuring opinions about the crisis and the state and federal government’s ongoing response.

The public opinion survey in its entirety can be downloaded here. It was conducted from April 1-2, 2020 and included a pool of 500 likely voters in Oklahoma. The survey results were weighted based on age, gender, party affiliation, and level of education. This survey has a margin of error of 4.38% at a 95% confidence interval. The poll surveyed both cell phones and landlines and used a combination of live callers and an online panel of likely voters. 

Public Sentiment Among Likely Voters in Oklahoma to COVID-19: Key Takeaways

Oklahomans are taking the threat of COVID-19 seriously.

Eighty-six percent of likely voters say they are sheltering in place, and that is fairly consistent across party lines and even age. Similarly, 85 percent of all voters support Governor Stitt’s “safer at home” policy that has closed non-essential businesses and ordered older Oklahomans to stay at home.

The data shows a more complicated picture when you ask voters to think about the situation on a longer timeline. A slim majority (51 percent) of Oklahomans believe that it will take three months or more to “return to normal life.” Democrats predict a three month or longer timeline at a higher rate (62 percent) than either Republicans (44 percent) or independents (43 percent).

However, just because Oklahomans think that a return to normalcy might take three months doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll support shelter-in-place policies for that long. Only 19 percent of voters said they would support policies that force businesses to close beyond June.

To put it plainly, Oklahomans take this crisis seriously and are doing what they have been asked to do today. However, their patience may not last as long as some policymakers would like.

Oklahomans are more concerned with their physical health than the health of the economy right now. 

Sixty-percent say they are most concerned about the potentially deadly impacts of the coronavirus, whereas 31 percent say they are most concerned with the economic impacts of government policies like business closures.

Likely voters support the federal CARES Act and believe it will help them personally.

Eighty-five percent say they support the CARES Act and a majority say the $1200 check they will receive will offset any economic loss they might suffer from the coronavirus pandemic.

Oklahomans believe that the COVID-19 pandemic will result in permanent lifestyle changes.

A majority of Oklahomans think the coronavirus will result in some permanent changes to the way we do business. Fifty-five percent believe that students will be more likely to pursue online learning; 58 percent say people will be more likely to use takeout or home delivery services for food and shopping; and 53 percent of voters say people will be more likely to use Telemedicine. In each case, that sentiment is stronger with younger voters.

Oklahoman believe that Governor Stitt and President Donald Trump have responded adequately to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Governor Kevin Stitt has earned good reviews, with 69 percent of all likely voters saying they approve of his management of the coronavirus crisis. Eighty-five percent of all Republicans approve of the governor’s performance and even 52 percent of Democrats do.

President Donald Trump also earns positive reviews, but there is a greater partisan divide concerning his performance. Sixty-two percent of likely voters say they approve of Trump’s handling of the crisis. Eighty-nine percent of Republicans say they support the job Trump is doing to fight the virus while only 28 percent of Democrats say the same.

Oklahomans give most institutions and people dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic good reviews, with the exception of the national media, congress and – notably – their own employers. Here’s how they rated various people and groups.

Oklahoma Hospitals: 85% approve /7% disapprove /8% undecided

Oklahoma State Government: 74%/24%/6%

Federal Government Agencies like the CDC and NIH: 73%/16%/11%

Oklahoma-based news media: 71%/20%/9%

Governor Kevin Stitt: 69%/27%/4%

Vice President Mike Pence: 63%/31%/7%

President Trump: 62%/35%/3%

Oklahoma State Legislature: 61%/26%/12%

National news media: 49%/43%/8%

Congress: 44%/47%/10%

Your Employer: 43%/9%/49%