It's no secret that when House Bill 481 was introduced, controversy sparked across the state. Gov. Brian Kemp signed the "heartbeat" abortion bill into law over the summer.
Now months later, an exclusive 11Alive Poll conducted by SurveyUSA shows the controversial legislation is still a point of contention among Georgians. The measure outlaws abortion as soon as a doctor can detect a heartbeat in a fetus, limiting the window of time to around 6 weeks after gestation.
The poll shows that 42 percent oppose the law while 38 percent are in support of it. The 4-point difference may or may not be statistically significant, according to the research. The other 20 percent said they are unsure.
White voters back the law by 14 points while black voters oppose the law by 42 points. Men are split, while women statewide oppose the law by 9 points.
Even with the divided view on one of the state's most controversial laws that Kemp has signed as governor, 19 percent see him as extremely favorable, 23 percent see him as favorable, 23 percent are neutral, and 13 percent see him as extremely unfavorable.
SurveyUSA interviewed 1,900 Georgia residents from Nov. 15 through Nov. 18. Of those interviewed, 1,538 are registered to vote. Out of that number, SurveyUSA identified 1,303 who are likely to vote in a general election.
Georgians were asked about gun rights and casino gambling. Voters statewide support legalizing casino gambling 58 percent to 25 percent. And, 51 percent of voters also support legalizing horse racing.
When it comes to firearms, voters opposed allowing adults who own guns legally to carry them without a permit. It's also important to note that many voters support a new law that would outlaw the sale of "so-called military-style assault rifles." Also, 74 percent of the registered voters polled said they would support a law that would prohibit anyone convicted of a domestic violence from purchasing a gun.
Georgians were also polled on who they would choose in the Senate race where Republican David Perdue is running to keep his seat. The research shows 40 percent of Georgians likely to vote in the general election for US Senator said they are certain to back the incumbent. And 37 percent said they are certain to vote for Perdue's Democratic opponent - whoever he or she. But 14 percent said they need to know the name of the Democrat who will be on the ballot first, before they can make a decision.
POLL QUESTIONS/ANSWERS
Are you registered to vote in the state of Georgia?
- Yes - 81%
- No - 17 %
- Not Sure - 2%
Thinking ahead now to the November 2020 general election for President. Are you certain to vote in the November 2016 election for President? Likely to vote? Or unlikely to vote?
- Certain To Vote - 85%
- Likely To Vote - 11 %
- Unlikely To Vote - 2%
- Not Sure - 3%
Thinking ahead now to the next general election for United States Senator from Georgia, in November 2020 are you certain to vote for Republican David Perdue? Certain to vote for his Democratic opponent? Certain to vote for a third-party candidate? Or do you need to know who his opponent is before you can say?
- David Perdue - 40%
- Democratic Opponent - 37%
- Third-party Candidate - 1%
- Need To Know Opponent - 14%
- Not Sure - 8%
Is your opinion of Governor Brian Kemp extremely favorable? Favorable? Neutral? Unfavorable? Extremely unfavorable? Or, do you have no opinion of Brian Kemp?
- Extremely Favorable- 19%
- Favorable - 23%
- Neutral - 23%
- Unfavorable - 12%
- Extremely Unfavorable- 13%
- No Opinion - 10%
Do you support or oppose Georgia's new "heartbeat" law restricting abortion rights?
- Support - 38%
- Oppose - 42%
- Not Sure - 20%
Should casino gambling remain against the law in Georgia? Or should it be legalized?
- Remain Against The Law - 25%
- Legalized - 58%
- Not Sure - 17%
Should horse racing remain against the law in Georgia? Or should it be legalized?
- Remain Against The Law - 31%
- Legalized - 51%
- Not Sure -18%
Would you support or oppose a law to allow lawful gun owners to carry concealed handguns without a permit?
- Support - 31%
- Oppose - 56%
- Not Sure - 14%
Would you support or oppose a law to prohibit the sale of military-style assault rifles?
- Support - 48%
- Oppose - 39%
- Not Sure - 13%
Would you support or oppose a law to prohibit anyone convicted of domestic violence from purchasing a gun?
- Support - 74%
- Oppose - 13%
- Not Sure - 13%
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