By Alexandra Hutzler
May 14, 2021
(Newsweek) – While conservative groups are raising their pressure campaign against HR 1, new polling shows that Republicans in Arizona and West Virginia overwhelmingly support the sweeping election bill.
The End Citizens United/Let America Vote Action Fund survey, first shared with Newsweek, found HR 1—also known as the For the People Act—to be extremely popular among all voters in both states.
In West Virginia, respondents supported the bill by 79 percent. In Arizona, 84 percent of likely voters supported the bill, and 73 percent “strongly” backed the voting rights legislation.
The Democratic proposal also enjoys high levels of support among Republicans, despite ongoing efforts from several conservative groups to have the states’ moderate senators vote against it.
Heritage Action said in a virtual press conference this week that it will run television ads and activate volunteers in West Virginia and Arizona in opposition of HR 1, according to Fox News.
“We have mobilized our 2 million grass-roots activists across the country to drive calls, letters to the editor, actual meetings with members as well as rallies and events in Manchin’s backyard, frankly,” said Jessica Anderson, the group’s executive director. “And then in Arizona looking at Sinema and Kelly.”
Another group, One Nation, announced Tuesday it will devote $1.85 million to place television and radio ads opposing the For the People Act and supporting the filibuster across Arizona and West Virginia, as well as New Hampshire, Nevada and Montana.
In West Virginia, 76 percent of registered GOP voters support the For the People Act. In Arizona, the bill has support from 78 percent of registered Republicans and 75 percent support from voters who backed Donald Trump in the 2020 election.
“For too long, corporate special interests and wealthy donors have had all of the power in Washington. It’s clear that the American people, from West Virginia to Arizona, want change and believe the For the People Act is the answer,” said Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United/Let America Vote Action Fund.
“It will reduce the influence of lobbyists and special interests, stop billionaires from buying our elections and protect Americans’ freedom to vote so that everyone’s voice is equally heard. The Senate should listen to the American people and pass the For the People Act now,” Muller added.
The 800-page bill would touch on nearly every aspect of voting and elections in the U.S. Its provisions include 15 days of early voting, same-day registration and limiting the ability of states to curb the use of mail voting and ballot boxes. It would also rewrite federal campaign finance rules and establish nonpartisan redistricting commissions to end partisan gerrymandering.
The poll, conducted by Global Strategy Group and ALG Research, surveyed 600 registered voters in West Virginia between April 14 and 18. In Arizona, 600 likely voters were polled. The poll’s margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.