A recent poll conducted by researchers at St. Cloud State University suggests former Vice President Joe Biden is leading in Minnesota with 53 percent of the vote; President Donald Trump polling at 38 percent in the sample.
The study indicates a win for Democratic Sen. Tina Smith against her opponent Republican Jason Lewis, with Smith leading at 53 percent of respondents versus Lewis’ 36 percent.
According to Minnesotans surveyed, the most important issues facing the nation are the Covid-19 pandemic, President Trump and current national leadership, and political division.
Two thirds of respondents are confident in the state’s ability to hold a fair election in which everyone’s vote – both in-person and by mail – will be counted. However, 28 percent of Minnesotans indicate that they either “have no confidence” or “are not very confident” about a fair election.
Sixty percent of respondents disapprove of the way President Trump has responded to Covid-19 this year, while 69 percent of Minnesotans approve of mandates requiring people to wear masks indoors in public spaces, such as stores, restaurants, and government buildings.
The St. Cloud State University Survey Center is led by faculty directors and is strongly supported by students. Co-lead student director Lily Chamerski found this year’s survey to be more challenging due to COVID-19. “We found a way to create and execute a successful survey,” she said.
Additional findings from the 2020 fall survey include:
- Ninety percent of respondents indicated that they had either “a great deal” or a “fair amount” of interest in this year’s election, and only 4% reported having “no interest at all.”
- When asked about their likelihood to vote in the upcoming election, 41 percent of respondents reported that they had already voted, and 46 percent more were “almost certain” to vote. Slightly less than 4 percent of our respondents indicated that they would not vote in the election.
- Only 46 percent of Minnesotans believe the state is heading in the right direction, down from 70 percent in 2017.
Responses for the survey were gathered from 372 randomly-selected landline and cellphone adult users Oct. 10-29 as part of the 40th annual Fall Survey of Minnesota Adults conducted by the St. Cloud State Survey Research Center. The study has a 6.7 percent margin of error, meaning the true population value could vary 6.7 percent in either direction. See the full report for the complete methodology and findings.
The St. Cloud State Survey Research Center follows best practice guidelines of the American Association of Public Opinion Research, including practices associated with their Transparency Initiative.
