Fact Sheet
Public Opinion of Liquor Privatization
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.
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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.