The Roanoke College Poll: Clinton Opens Wide Lead Over Trump in Virginia

ROANOKE, Va., Aug. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has opened a 16-point lead over Republican Donald Trump among likely voters in Virginia (48 percent-32 percent), according to The Roanoke College Poll. Libertarian Gary Johnson received the support of 8 percent of likely voters, and Green Party candidate Jill Stein trailed the field with 3 percent while 9 percent remain undecided. In a two-way matchup, Clinton's lead extends to 19 points (55 percent-36 percent). The candidates were tied in the May Roanoke College Poll.

The Roanoke College Poll interviewed 803 likely voters in Virginia between August 7 and August 17 and has a margin of error of +3.5 percent.

Clinton's favorable ratings, though not good, have improved from May (39 percent favorable; 45 percent unfavorable compared to 35 percent and 50 percent in May), while Trump's numbers are very poor and marginally worse than in May (23 percent favorable; 63 percent unfavorable down from 23 percent and 56 percent).

Vice-presidential candidate and Virginia Senator Tim Kaine is viewed favorably by a majority (52 percent) of respondents. That is a significant increase from 32 percent in January, the last time we asked that question. Republican VP candidate Mike Pence has a favorable rating of only 24 percent, but 4-in-10 (40 percent) don't know enough about him to have an opinion.

"Hillary Clinton has improved her position among her core constituencies as well as ideological moderates and political independents," said Dr. Harry Wilson, director of the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research. "She has also improved her favorable ratings although they are still low."

"There is no silver lining in this dark cloud for Donald Trump. His numbers are mostly negative and stagnant. He's still getting less than 80 percent of Republicans, and his supporters are more likely to be voting against Clinton than for him. The election is 11 weeks away, but he has a lot of ground to make up."

Full results, including questionnaire, toplines and crosstabs are available at: http://www.roanoke.edu/about/news/rc_poll_aug_2016_politics. 

SOURCE The Roanoke College Poll