The Arizona sheriff whose tough enforcement of immigration laws has prompted a U.S. Justice Department civil rights investigation still has quite a following in his home state.

Fifty-eight percent (58%) of Arizona voters say the policies and activities of Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio have had a positive impact on the state’s image.

Thirty-one percent (31%) say Arpaio’s actions have affected Arizona’s image negatively, and seven percent (7%) say they have had no impact at all, according to a new Rasmussen Reports survey of voters in the state.

In mid-March, just after the announcement of the Justice Department probe, 68% of Arizona voters had a favorable opinion of Arpaio.

Sizable majorities of voters nationally agree with some of the tough tactics Arpaio uses to catch illegal immigrants.

In Arizona, most Republicans (74%) and voters not affiliated with either major party (52%) think Arapaio’s professional conduct has been good for Arizona’s image, but Democrats are evenly divided on the question.

Eighty percent (80%) of conservatives see a positive impact from the sheriff’s tough approach toward illegal immigrants, but 63% of liberals disagree.

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Arizona voters are closely divided over whether the U.S. border with Mexico should be closed due to the increased drug-related violence and the swine flu outbreak in the neighboring country. Forty-three percent (43%) believe the border should be closed, while 45% say it should be left open.

These numbers appear to reflect the lessening national concern over the flu. Early last week, 63% of Americans said the border with Mexico should be closed until the swine flu epidemic is under control.

There’s a similar divide – and less confidence – among Arizona voters when it comes to safety in their own communities. Thirty-five percent (35%) say the doctors in their community are adequately prepared to handle a flu epidemic. Thirty-three percent (33%) say the doctors are not prepared, and 32% don’t know. These numbers track fairly closely with national findings.

Still, 56% say Arizona leaders have done a good or excellent job handling the flu outbreak. Just six percent (6%) rate their performance as poor.

Most Arizona voters say Senator John McCain should have no difficulty winning the Republican Senate Primary next year, but 50% of GOP voters say the longtime incumbent is out of touch with his own party.

Sixty-six percent (66%) of U.S. voters say it is Very Important for the government to improve its enforcement of the borders and reduce illegal immigration, but just 32% of America’s Political Class agrees.

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