1

Western voters prioritize conservation issues when deciding to support elected officials.

Conservation in 2020

Four-in-five Western voters (80%) say that compared to perennially important topics like the economy, health care, and education, issues involving “clean water, clean air, wildlife, and public lands” are important in deciding whether to support an elected public official. In fact, 44% now say that these issues are a primary factor in determining their support. In this presidential election year, likely Democratic primary voters/caucus goers are even more apt to say this is an important factor in their decision (56% primary importance, 91% total important).

Very important, they are a primary factor in deciding whether to support an elected public official

Somewhat important; they are one of several issues you consider

Not too important; they are not a significant factor considering in deciding whether to support an

elected public official

Not at all important for you in deciding whether to support an elected official

44%

36%

10%

8%

Importance of Public Official’s Stance on Environment

80%

18%

2

+5% +10% +4% +4%

31%40%

25%35%

77% 78% 76% 79%

45% 43% 38% 38%

78% 78% 80% 82%

NV NM UT WY

Western voters are placing more emphasis on conservation issues than four years ago.

A comparison of the seven states that were interviewed in both 2016 and 2020 (AZ, CO, MT, NM, NV, UT, & WY), indicates that voters are placing more importance on issues such as clean water, clean air, wildlife, and public lands as they decide whether to support an elected official. In fact, the primacy of the issue has gone up 13 points overall, and increased in every single state.

Importance of Public Official’s Stance on Environment

Very Important/Primary Factor

Total Important/Several Issues Considered

2016

2016

2020

2020

+1% +0% +4% +3%

31% 28% 31%37%

75% 70%77% 80%

44% 45% 47% 44%

80% 80% 81% 84%

Total Western Region

AZ CO MT

3

47%

45%

44%

43%

43%

82%

84%

78%

86%

81%

Very Important/Primary Factor

Total Important/Several Issues Considered

Latinos

Millennials

Sportsmen

Moderates

Suburban Women

Conservation has become increasingly important for critical independent voters and skyrocketed with Democratic voters. The importance Republicans place on conservation issues has remained stable, with two-thirds saying conservation issues are an important factor in supporting an elected official.

Importance of Public Official’s Stance on Environment

Very Important/Primary Factor

Total Important/Several Issues Considered

2016

2016

2020

2020

23%30%

40%

66%77% 83%

27%

45%

63%

67%80%

95%

Republican Independent Democrat

+1% +3% +12%

Conservation issues are deemed important by many of the most critical “swing” sub-groups. More than four-in-ten Latinos (47%), millennials (45%), sportsmen (44%), moderates (43%), and suburban women (43%) indicate it is a primary factor in their decision to vote for a candidate.

Importance of Public Official’s Stance on Environment

4

The increasing primacy of conservation issues may be grounded in recent policy decisions. Three-quarters of Western voters deem rollbacks of laws that protect our land, water, and wildlife as a serious problem, up from just a few years ago. Indeed, 59% of Republicans, 79% of Independents, and 93% of Democrats perceive this to be a serious concern. Compared to 2018, concerns on this issue have increased the most among voters in New Mexico, Idaho, and Colorado.

52%57%

52%47% 47% 51% 53%

47%39%

76% 77% 79% 76% 72% 68%81%

73%65%

Total AZ CO ID MT NV NM UT WY

Extremely/Very Serious Problem Total Serious Problem

Seriousness of Rollbacks of Laws that Protect Our Land, Water, and Wildlife

2018Total Serious

2020Total Serious

5

Two-thirds of Western voters would prefer their Member of Congress to place more emphasis on protecting and creating public lands than on allowing mining and drilling on public lands. Although not a majority, Republicans also lean in favor of this approach (47% protect, 40% mining/drilling), while 71% of Independents and 86% of Democrats favor protection.

Ensuring we protect sources of clean water, our air quality and wildlife habitat while providing opportunities to visit and recreate on our national public lands

Ensuring we produce more domestic energy by maximizing the amount of national public lands available for responsible oil and gas drilling and mining

Preference for National Public Land Decisions

As voters look to the future, most say they would support setting a national goal of protecting 30% of America’s lands and ocean areas by the year 2030. This goal garners majority support across party, with 57% of Republicans, 77% of Independents, and 89% of Democrats in favor of the proposal.

Support for Setting a National Goal of Protecting 30 Percent of America's Lands and Ocean Areas by the Year 2030

AZ CO ID MT NV NM UT WY

TotalWestern Region