Despite close competition from other pressing issues, the economy is still the top concern for voters, according to a new Cheddar/SurveyUSA poll.
The poll, conducted October 1-4, 2020, showed that 15 percent of respondents named the economy as the most important issue for them when marking their presidential ballot.
This perennial election issue squeaked in ahead of "defeating Donald Trump" at 14 percent, compared to "re-electing Donald Trump" at 9 percent. Replacing the president got a two-point boost, however, after his COVID-19 diagnosis, with the economy losing ground as well.
There was also a significant spread in which demographic groups pinpointed the economy as the top issue, with 19 percent of Hispanics, 15 percent of whites, and just 7 percent of Blacks choosing the issue.
Amid nationwide protests and counterprotests, respondents were neatly split on issues of social justice and law and order. Black Lives Matter, social justice, and law and order each received 3 percent while All Lives Matter received 5 percent.
Other top concerns include COVID-19 at 12 percent, healthcare at 9 percent, and "preserving the democracy" at 6 percent.
On the Affordable Care Act — which reemerged as an election-year issue with the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — 54 percent of respondents said the Court should leave it as the law of the land, while 31 percent said it should be declared unconstitutional.
This matches closely with the 56 percent who said they felt either favorably or very favorably toward Obamacare and the 38 percent who felt unfavorably or very unfavorably toward it.
Younger and lower-income voters also had a better impression of the healthcare law — though those who were most concerned with the economy were less likely to be in favor. After Trump's COVID diagnosis, favorable impressions got a boost as well.
Finally, the poll showed significant doubts about the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. Just 28 percent said the country will know the outcome on election day, while 42 percent said: "maybe a week after." A sizable 21 percent predicted we'd know sometime before Thanksgiving.
Again, Trump's hospital visit shifted the numbers, with slightly more believing the election would be over and done with on Election Day.
Dr. Celeste González de Bustamante, professor and director of the Center for Border and Global Journalism at the Univerity of Arizona, and Dr. Jeannine E. Relly, professor and director of Global Initiatives at the Center for Border and Global Journalism at the University of Arizona, join Cheddar News to discuss the recent journalist killings in Mexico.
Joe Kennedy III, a former congressman and co-founder of Give Us the Ballot, joined Cheddar News to discuss voting protections in the United States and how his campaign is aiming to fix the issue of voter suppression. "Yes, redistricting is critical — Give Us the Ballot though recognizes it's 'redistricting, and —', because voting rights has an implication for every single election at every single level: school board, mayor, city council, House of Representatives, Senate, president," he said. Kennedy also gave his thoughts about the retirement of Justice Stephen Breyer.
Big Apple workers who deliver for food apps like Doordash and Grubhub will now receive a number of legal protections provided through a package of new regulations that have started going into effect. These updated rules include more control over their deliveries, pay and tip transparency, a higher minimum pay rate, and access to restaurant bathrooms during the workday. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander joined Cheddar to elaborate on the regulations and how the platform holders reacted. "I have to say it's a mixed bag," he said. "Grubhub actually welcomed the legislation and said they recognize they need to do better by their deliveristas, but DoorDash, unfortunately, has actually been pushing back against the legislation."
Thomas Hoenig, Former CEO of Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and currently Distinguished Senior Fellow with the Mercatus Center, joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where he says the Fed's decision was no surprise, but believes the Fed is behind the curve on raising rates.
Legal cannabis businesses are having a hard time surviving in California with the high cost of doing business and a still-thriving illicit market. In response, nonprofit Supernova Women, founded by women of color, is advocating on behalf of Black and brown shareholders in the cannabis industry. Amber Senter, co-founder, executive director, and chairman of the organization, spoke with Cheddar News about calling for changes in the Golden State's taxation system for legal marijuana. "We're really leaning on the legislators now to support the industry and make sure that this industry, in particular craft cannabis, can survive," said Senter.
After being among the hardest-hit industries by the pandemic, restaurants are still having a hard time staying afloat, with owners claiming that business is worse now due to closures from staff shortages and customer decline than it was three months ago. Mike Whatley, vice president of state affairs and grassroots advocacy for the National Restaurant Association, spoke to Cheddar News about how the sector is reaching out to lawmakers for help. "Working with Senators Wicker, Sinema, and a whole host of bipartisan leaders, we're trying to get the Restaurant Revitalization Fund replenished," Whatley said.
Communities of color are disproportionately affected by climate change and continuously feel the impacts. Mark Magaña, founding president and CEO of Green Latinos joined All Hands to discuss.
