Public Opinion of Liquor Privatization

Download PDF

A strong majority of Pennsylvanians favor ending the government sale of wine and spirits according to a comprehensive poll conducted by nationally-renown pollster Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3).  From January 22-27, 2013, FM3 polled 800 randomly-selected Pennsylvania registered voters.  The margin of error for statewide results is 3.5%.

Who supports privatization?

Republicans, Democrats, and Independents

Party

Total Favor

Total Oppose

Don’t Know

Republicans

69%

26%

5%

Independents

71%

25%

4%

Democrats

52%

43%

4%

 Union Households

Union Households

Total Favor

Total Oppose

Don’t Know

Union Member

52%

43%

5%

Union Household

58%

38%

4%

Not Union Household

61%

33%

5%

PLCB Customers

Frequency of Purchase

Total Favor

Total Oppose

Don’t Know

Weekly

77%

22%

1%

Monthly

71%

24%

5%

Few Times/Year

66%

29%

4%

Less Often

52%

45%

3%

Never

35%

58%

7%

Everyone Outside of Philadelphia

Region

Total Favor

Total Oppose

Don’t Know

Allegheny

69%

28%

3%

Southwest

54%

42%

4%

Philadelphia County

46%

50%

4%

Outer Phila. Market

66%

29%

5%

Northeast

59%

35%

7%

The T

62%

33%

4%

Every Media Market

Media Market

Total Favor

Total Oppose

Don’t Know

Harrisburg-York

61%

33%

6%

Johnstown-Altoona

70%

29%

1%

Philadelphia

59%

35%

6%

Pittsburgh

61%

35%

3%

Wilkes-Barre-Scranton

62%

37%

1%

Lehigh Valley

53%

41%

6%

Liberals, Moderates, and Conservatives

Ideology

Total Favor

Total Oppose

Don’t Know

Liberal

60%

36%

4%

Moderate

61%

36%

3%

Conservative

61%

33%

6%

Educated Voters

Education

Total Favor

Total Oppose

Don’t Know

High School or Less

56%

38%

6%

Some College

51%

44%

4%

College Graduate

70%

25%

5%

Post-Graduate

66%

30%

4%

Why do they support? (Open-ended)

  • 33%: Less government regulation
  • 29%: Convenience/buy in supermarkets
  • 17%: Keep up with other states/works in other states
  • 15%: Competition/better prices/free market

What else did we learn?

  • After all arguments pro & con were presented, support was higher than at the start.
  • Most voters said argument in favor of “modernization” (often presented as an alternative to privatization) was not convincing.
  • Voters were somewhat more likely to vote for lawmakers who support privatization plan.

 

# # #

For more on Liquor Privatization, visit BoozeFacts.com

The Commonwealth Foundation crafts free-market policies, convinces Pennsylvanians of their benefits, and counters attacks on liberty.