Sixty-nine percent (69%) of U.S. voters say it is more important to do volunteer work for church and community organizations than it is to get involved in politics and political campaigns.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 17% of voters think it is more important to get involved in politics, while 15% are not sure which is best.

But voters nationwide are closely divided over the importance of volunteer work and groups to bring about the kind of change that is needed in the United States. Forty-five percent (45%) say volunteer activities are more likely to bring needed change than new government programs and policies. But 41% disagree and see government action as more likely to promote necessary change.

One government program most voters agree on, however, is making high students perform a certain number of hours of community service as a requirement for graduation. Fifty-three percent (53%) of voters say it’s a good idea, while 37% oppose such a requirement, which is already in place in several states.

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Women, those under 40, and upper income voters place more emphasis on volunteer work than men, those over 40, and lower income voters.

President Obama last Wednesday launched United We Serve, a national campaign to encourage volunteerism this summer. First Lady Michelle Obama and other high-level administration officials are planning to participate in volunteer projects across the nation this week to promote the campaign.

While 57% of conservatives lean toward volunteerism as the best agent of change, 72% of liberals have more faith in government action.

A majority of liberals favor the community service requirement for high school graduation, too, while conservatives are more closely divided on the question.

Forty-five percent (45%) of Americas believe most people get involved in politics to protect themselves from what the government might do, while 44% believe most get involved in politics to help make the country better.

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