Nearly halfway through his second legislative session in Annapolis, Gov. Wes Moore continues to enjoy high approval ratings among Maryland voters, according to a new Maryland Statewide Gonzales poll.
In the poll by Gonzales Research, Inc., a total of 815 registered voters were interviewed by phone across the state, reflecting a cross-section of the general electorate. Of those polled, 58% approve of the job Moore is doing as governor, which is within the margin of error of the 60% approval rating he had in October. Meanwhile, 28% disapprove, and 14% had no opinion.
Broken down by political party, 74% of Democrats and 52% of independent voters approve the job Moore is doing. Among Republicans, 57% disapprove of Moore’s performance, but only around one in three Republicans indicate “strong” disapproval (36%).
Along racial lines, 52% of white people and 70% of African Americans approve of the job Moore is doing as governor.
When it comes to filling the state coffers to pay for transportation projects across Maryland, voters were asked if they would support or oppose an increase in sales tax from 6% to 7%.
Of those polled, 37% supported raising the sales tax. However, 60% said they opposed the increase to finance roads, bridges, and mass transit, including 48% who said they “strongly” opposed such an increase.
They were also asked about which they considered the higher funding priority: roads and bridges or mass transit. Statewide, 64% of respondents said roads and bridges were a higher priority, while 26% said mass transit should be prioritized.
Regarding issues of crime and safety, Marylanders showed remarkable unity on Annapolis taking a stronger stand against possession of a stolen firearm.
The poll replicated a question posed last year in which respondents were informed that in Maryland it is only a misdemeanor to possess a stolen firearm. They were asked if they agree or disagree that it should be made a felony in the state to possess a stolen firearm.
Not only was the question replicated, but the results were as well.
“Just as last year, an astounding near-ninety percent of Marylanders are in harmony… 88% agree that it should be a felony to possess a stolen firearm (74% ‘strongly’), while a meager 11% disagree,” according to the poll’s synopsis.
This ardent support was consistent across party lines, race, gender, and age groups.
The poll also asked voters to consider mandatory 10-year prison sentences for anyone convicted of selling drugs laced with fentanyl if the drug resulted in a death.
Among the poll’s respondents, 83% of Maryland voters support a mandatory penalty of at least 10 years in prison, and 13% oppose this mandatory prison sentence.
“Seventy-six percent of Democrats, 86% of independents, 94% of Republicans, and 80% of African American voters support a mandatory penalty of at least 10 years in prison for anyone convicted of selling drugs laced with fentanyl if the drug results in a death,” according to the synopsis.
