AJC Survey of Ohio Jewish Voters

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Oct 03, 2012, 10:23 ET

NEW YORK, Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new American Jewish Committee (AJC) survey of Jewish voters in the battleground state of Ohio reveals that 64 percent will choose President Obama, and 29 percent will vote for Governor Romney on Election Day. It is the third and last in a series of pre-election polls of American Jewish opinion. The others were a national survey and a separate poll in Florida.

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"Each survey is instructive in and of itself, providing vital insights into the thinking of registered Jewish voters," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "As a strictly non-partisan advocacy organization, one with a long history of research and analysis, AJC is pleased to offer the findings of our national survey of Jewish voters, and in the statewide polling in Florida and now Ohio."

AJC's Ohio survey explored Jewish attitudes towards choice of running mates, U.S.-Israel relations, Iran's nuclear program, and other top issues of concern when voting for president.

Top Issues
The economy, health care and national security are the top issues of concern for Ohio Jewish voters in considering their choice for president. U.S.-Israel relations and the Iran nuclear threat also are major concerns.

60 percent approve, and 38 percent disapprove, of the way President Obama is handling the economy.
65 percent approve, and 34 percent disapprove, of the way President Obama is handling health care.
70 percent approve, and 30 percent disapprove, of the way President Obama is handling national security.
54 percent approve, and 36 percent disapprove, of President Obama's handling of U.S.-Israel relations.
Ohio Jewish voters are most evenly divided -- 46 percent, approve, and 40 percent disapprove – over the way President Obama is handling Iran's nuclear program.

Ohio Jewish voters, on a range of issues, favored the Democratic Party over the Republican Party for making the right decisions – 63 percent to 31 percent on national security; 53 percent to 36 percent on U.S.-Israel relations; 64 percent to 33 percent on the economy; and 48 percent to 37 percent on the Iranian nuclear program.

Survey respondents self-identified as Republican – 19 percent; Democrat – 54 percent; and Independent – 26 percent.

Iran Nuclear Threat
There is overwhelming concern among Ohio Jewish voters about Iran's nuclear program. A majority would support military action by the United States or Israel if diplomacy and sanctions fail to stop Iran's quest for nuclear weapons.

93 percent are concerned about the prospect of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons.
45 percent say it is unlikely, and 41 percent say it is likely, that a combination of diplomacy and sanctions can stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
61 percent would support, and 28 percent oppose, U.S. military action against Iran if diplomacy and sanctions fail.
67 percent would support Israeli military action, and 20 percent oppose.

Vice President
Sixty-nine percent of respondents said it is important in deciding how to vote, and 31 percent said it is not.

For Obama's selection of Joseph Biden as his running mate, 68 percent approved and 20 percent disapproved. Regarding Romney's selection of Paul Ryan, 39 percent approved and 52 percent disapproved.

Arab-Israeli Peace
On prospects for Arab-Israeli peace, 3 percent said the chances have increased compared to a year ago, 41 percent said they decreased, and 55 percent said they stayed the same.

The telephone survey of 238 registered Jewish voters in Ohio was conducted from September 13-30 by QEV Analytics, a public opinion research organization. The margin of error was plus or minus 6.4 percent.

AJC is a 501(c)(3) not-for profit, non-partisan organization that neither endorses nor opposes candidates for elected office. AJC has commissioned surveys of American Jews for many years on a range of key questions as a contribution to better understanding of the American Jewish community.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee