As Election Approaches, Voters Want Candidates to Focus on Issues that Impact Economic Security, Health, and Stability at Home and Ensuring Our Competitive Edge Abroad, Not Further Regulation of U.S. Tech Companies
Washington, DC – A new survey released today by the American Edge Project (AEP) reveals that U.S. voters nationwide and in Senate battleground states want their elected officials to prioritize national security and pressing pocketbook issues – like the cost of living, health care, and Social Security – instead of pursuing regulatory policies targeting U.S. tech companies.
Voters are also worried about technological threats from foreign adversaries. They want to take steps to ensure the U.S. remains a global tech leader – for example, by opposing excessive regulations that would stifle innovations and by encouraging both open- and closed-source AI models.
“Voters are very clear what they want from elected officials,” said Doug Kelly, CEO of American Edge Project. “They want policymakers to address the everyday pocketbook issues that are challenging their lives, not undermining the American tech innovators that help their families and our country stay ahead. Politicians who prioritize anti-innovation policies are playing a losing hand.”
This survey, conducted by Mercury Analytics, was fielded between October 3 and October 10, 2024. It surveyed 1,504 likely voters nationwide and 515 likely voters in U.S. Senate battleground states (Arizona, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin).
To read the full analysis from this study, see this memo.
Key findings include:
- Candidates campaigning on tech regulation are pursuing a low priority issue. Regulating U.S. tech companies is a relatively low priority. Rather, across party lines and in Senate battleground states, voters want their elected officials to focus on key economic, health care and national security issues.
- Candidates on both sides who prioritize key pocketbook issues over far-reaching tech regulation are more likely to come out ahead. Across party lines, candidates who prioritize key election issues – like creating jobs and strengthening the economy – have a significant edge over candidates who are focused on breaking up American tech companies.
- Voters are worried about foreign technology surpassing American tech and threatening U.S. national security. Nationwide and in key Senate battleground states, the vast majority of voters are worried about technological threats from foreign adversaries. Specifically, voters fear cyberattacks on U.S. infrastructure and falling behind countries like China on tech innovations (e.g., advancements in AI).
- Voters see open-source AI as a way to strengthen our core values and keep the U.S. at the forefront of technology and freedom. Nationwide and in key Senate battleground states, over two-thirds of voters agree that open-source AI would strengthen our core values – like free speech, an open internet, and an open society – while also ensuring the U.S. remains a global tech leader.
- Voters want to encourage both open- and closed-source AI models, so that the U.S. can be a global leader in shaping the future of AI. To ensure the U.S. remains a global leader on AI, voters support both open- and closed-source AI models. They also oppose heavy-handed regulations that would prevent maximum innovation and security.
The bottom line: This election, voters are prepared to stand with candidates who prioritize their stability and safety. They want to see political leaders address the priorities that matter to them – issues like the cost of living, health care, Social Security, and national security. Misguided policies that further regulate U.S. tech could have negative unintended consequences that voters are worried about, including greater threats to national security, the stunting of innovations in AI technology, and the U.S. losing its competitive edge to China.
BACKGROUND:
The American Edge Project is a coalition of domestic organizations representing a cross-section of U.S. innovators who are dedicated to telling the story about technology’s positive influence on America’s economy and the vital role innovation plays in our society. Former New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, former U.S. Representative Chris Carney, and former Federal Election Commission Chairman Bradley A. Smith are directors of the American Edge Project. AEP’s National Security Advisory Board is comprised of Former White House Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend; retired four-star General Joseph F. Dunford Jr., United States Marine Corps (USMC), who served as former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and former Acting Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Michael J. Morell. Former U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) and Kent Conrad (D-ND) serve as Co-Chairs of the Project’s Economic Advisory Board. Former U.S. Representative Greg Walden (R-OR) and Former U.S. Representative Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) serve as Co-Chairs of the Project’s Open & Accessible Internet Advisory Board.
Visit AmericanEdgeProject.org for more information.
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