Majority of Americans think states should drive reopening decisions
This data is from Heart + Mind Strategies’ latest Coronavirus Tracking Poll, which was conducted on September 2-3, 2020. This was an online quantitative survey. In total, a sample of n=1,008 interviews were conducted.
Since March 2020, Heart + Mind Strategies’ Coronavirus Tracking Poll has followed Americans’ reactions to the government’s pandemic response. The most recent wave of polling, conducted on September 2-3, indicates many Americans lean toward approaches that take local conditions into account and keep decisions at the state level.
| Total | Republicans | Democrats | Independents | |
| Favor less strict shutdowns based upon local conditions | 43% | 50% | 40% | 34% |
| Favor strict shutdowns | 38% | 33% | 46% | 39% |
| Are not sure | 19% | 17% | 14% | 28% |
| Total (Change) | Republicans | Democrats | Independents | |
| Federal Government | 26% (0) | 18% | 12% | 9% |
| States | 57% (-1) | 55% | 60% | 53% |
| Level of Concern | Total | Republicans | Democrats | Independents |
| Extremely/Very | 30% (-2) | 37% | 26% | 26% |
| Somewhat | 31% (-2) | 30% | 32% | 26% |
| Just a little/Not at all | 39% (0) | 33% | 43% | 49% |
The majority of Americans say messages from the US government are leaving them more confused.
State Policy Network is working with Heart + Mind Strategies to track the American public’s opinions through this time of upheaval and change. The Heart + Mind Strategies’ Coronavirus Tracking Poll has been fielded weekly since March 18-19, 2020. In June, the polling schedule shifted to bi-weekly, with the most recent field dates of September 2-3, 2020, informing this article. This was an online quantitative survey. In total, a sample of n=1,008 interviews were conducted.
