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Voters Worry About Safety of Nuclear Plants, Torn Over Building More

U.S. Voters remain concerned about the safety of nuclear power plants in the country, but don’t think the United States should phase them out just yet.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of Likely U.S. Voters are at least somewhat concerned about the safety of nuclear power plants in the United States, including 29% who are Very Concerned. One-in-three (33%) are not concerned about their safety, including just six percent (6%) who are Not At All Concerned. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted on September 21-22, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Michigan Governor: Snyder (R) 47%, Schauer (D) 41%

Republican Governor Rick Snyder now has a slightly wider lead over Democratic challenger Mark Schauer in his reelection bid in Michigan.

Snyder picks up 47% of the vote to Schauer's 41% in the latest Rasmussen Reports statewide survey of Likely Michigan Voters. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate, while nine percent (9%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Michigan was conducted on September 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Michigan Senate: Peters (D) 41%, Land (R) 39%

Michigan's closely watched U.S. Senate contest is back to a two-point race.

Michigan now shifts from Leans Democrat back to a Toss-Up in the Rasmussen Reports 2014 Senate Balance of Power Rankings. To see survey question wording, click here.)

Voters See Less Economic Fairness for Those Who Work Hard

Voters increasingly think the U.S. economy is unfair to small business owners and those willing to work hard.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of Likely U.S. Voters think the U.S. economy is at least somewhat fair to small business owners, including just seven percent (7%) who think it’s Very Fair. That overall figure is down from 42% in May and is the lowest finding since we began asking this question early last year. Fifty-three percent (53%) don’t think it’s fair to small business owners, with 15% who say it’s not at all fair. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Kansas Governor: Davis (D) 47%, Brownback (R) 43%

The gubernatorial race in Kansas is tighter than it’s been all year.

The race now shifts from Solid Democrat to a Toss-Up on the Rasmussen Reports 2014 Gubernatorial Scorecard. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Kansas was conducted on September 16-17, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Iowa Governor: Branstad (R) 46%, Hatch (D) 40%

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad is still ahead in his bid for reelection but not by nearly as much.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Iowa Voters finds Branstad with 46% support to Democratic challenger Jack Hatch’s 40%. Three percent (3%) like another candidate in the race, and 10% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Iowa was conducted on September 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Iowa Governor: Branstad (R) 46%, Hatch (D) 40%

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad is still ahead in his bid for reelection but not by nearly as much.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Iowa Voters finds Branstad with 46% support to Democratic challenger Jack Hatch’s 40%. Three percent (3%) like another candidate in the race, and 10% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Iowa was conducted on September 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 40%, Republicans 40%

Democrats and Republicans are tied on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending September 21 finds that 40% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while the same number (40%) would choose the Republican instead.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from September 15-21, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Still Expect Health Care System to Suffer Under Obamacare

Voters continue to give lackluster reviews to the U.S. health care system despite positive opinions of their own insurance coverage and care. Half still think the system will get worse under the new health care law.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 32% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the nation’s health care system as good or excellent. Just as many (32%) give it poor marks, up from 29% in August but still below the 35% who felt that way in June. (To see survey question wording, click here)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 19-20, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Massachusetts Governor: Baker (R) 42%, Coakley (D) 42%

The race to be the next governor of Massachusetts is tied.

A new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey finds Democratic Attorney General Martha Coakley and Republican Charlie Baker each picking up 42% support among Likely Massachusetts Voters. Five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate, while 10% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Massachusetts was conducted on September 16-17, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

What They Told Us: Reviewing Last Week’s Key Polls -- Week Ending September 19, 2014

Do most Americans really know or care about the rest of the world?

Georgia Governor: Deal (R) 45%, Carter (D) 44%

The gubernatorial race in Georgia is still neck-and-neck.

Republican Governor Nathan Deal now picks up 45% of the vote to Democratic challenger Jason Carter’s 44% in a new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Georgia Voters. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while eight percent (8%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Georgia was conducted on September 15-16, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Iowa Senate: Ernst (R) 43%, Braley (D) 43%

The Iowa Senate race remains dead even.

Iowa continues to be a Toss-Up in the Rasmussen Reports 2014 Senate Balance of Power rankings as it has been since June. At stake is the seat held by retiring Democratic Senator Tom Harkin, and Republicans view a win in the state as critical to their hopes of taking control of the Senate. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Iowa was conducted on September 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Kansas Senate: Orman (I) 45%, Roberts (R) 40%

The Kansas Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that Democrat Chad Taylor's name should be removed from the ballot, clearing up a situation that could have potentially changed the outcome of the state's U.S. Senate race this November.

Taylor earlier this month withdrew from the race, but the state's Republican secretary of State refused to allow his name to be taken off the ballot. Rasmussen Reports' latest statewide telephone survey of Likely Kansas Voters taken just prior to the court ruling shows how that might have played out.

With Taylor still on the ballot, incumbent Republican Senator Pat Roberts picks up 39% of the vote, while Independent candidate Greg Orman has 38% support. Taylor earns nine percent (9%). Two percent (2%) say they prefer some other candidate in the race, and 12% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Kansas was conducted on September 16-17, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Georgia Senate: Perdue (R) 46%, Nunn (D) 41%

Republican David Perdue still runs slightly ahead of Democrat Michelle Nunn in Georgia’s closely watched U.S. Senate race.

The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Georgia Voters shows Perdue picking up 46% of the vote to Nunn’s 41%. Four percent (4%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while nine percent (9%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Georgia was conducted on September 15-16, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

28% Say U.S. Heading in Right Direction

Twenty-six percent (26%) of Likely U.S. Voters think the country is heading in the right direction, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending September 7.

That's up one point from the week before. The number who say the country is heading in the right direction has been below 30% most weeks for the past year. Early last October during the partial federal government shutdown, confidence in the country’s course fell to 13%, the lowest finding in five years.

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The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on September 1-7, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Trust Republicans More Than Democrats on Nine Out of 15 Major Issues

Voters continue to put more trust in Republicans than Democrats to handle important policy issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports like the economy and job creation, though they trust Democrats more on other top issues like health care and Social Security. 

The economy remains the number one issue in terms of importance for the next election, and the GOP still holds a 44% to 41% lead in voter trust on that issue. Since June 2009, the GOP has led in voter trust on the economy in all but one survey. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook 

Three national surveys of 1,000 Likely Voters each were conducted on September 7-8, 11-12 & 15-16, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Wisconsin Governor: Walker (R) 48%, Burke (D) 46%

Wisconsin’s gubernatorial race remains close, but Republican Governor Scott Walker is slightly ahead of his Democratic challenger among voters who say they are certain to vote in the election.

Walker picks up 48% of the vote to Democrat Mary Burke’s 46% in a new Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Wisconsin Voters. Three percent (3%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while another three percent (3%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 750 Likely Voters in Wisconsin was conducted on September 15-16, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

New Hampshire Governor: Hassan (D) 51%, Havenstein (R) 40%

Democratic Governor Maggie Hassan leads Republican challenger Walt Havenstein by double digits in her bid for reelection in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire is rated Safe Democrat on the Rasmussen Reports 2014 Gubernatorial Scorecard. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Hassan, a former state senator, is running for her second two-year term after winning the 2012 election against Republican Ovide Lamontagne with 55% of the vote. She is backed by 89% of the state’s Democrats and leads Havenstein 52% to 34% among voters not affiliated with either major political party. Havenstein, a businessman, defeated three other hopefuls in last Tuesday's state GOP primary and now has the support of 80% of New Hampshire Republicans.

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The survey of 750 Likely Voters in New Hampshire was conducted on September 10-11, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Generic Congressional Ballot: Democrats 41%, Republicans 38%

Democrats have retaken the lead on the latest Generic Congressional Ballot.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey for the week ending September 14 finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for the Democrat in their district’s congressional race if the election were held today, while 38% would choose the Republican.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook. 

The national telephone survey of 3,500 Likely Voters was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from September 8-14, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey is +/- 2 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.