Nine-in-10 Voters Prioritize Key Election Issues, Specifically the Cost of Living, Jobs and the Economy, and National Security
WASHINGTON, DC – A new survey released today by the American Edge Project (AEP) reveals that U.S. voters in key battleground states prioritize strengthening national security, improving the economy, and managing the cost of living over regulating the U.S. tech sector.
As the 2024 presidential election heats up and Congress considers legislation to further regulate U.S. tech companies, the new survey finds that likely voters in battleground states and districts want their elected officials to prioritize key election issues, such as the cost of living, jobs and national security as opposed to these regulatory proposals. Voters are worried misguided regulatory measures will give foreign adversaries the opportunity to weaponize technology and gain a competitive edge over the United States.
“At a time when adversaries attack our allies and infiltrate our networks, voters are clear: economic security and national safety trump concerns over tech sector regulation. Voters see the American tech industry as crucial in defending our nation and driving prosperity. Policymakers and candidates must prioritize strengthening our economic and security interests over regulating our domestic innovators,” Doug Kelly, CEO of the American Edge Project.
The survey, conducted February 1 to 6, 2024, on behalf of AEP, surveyed 1,000 likely voters (500 likely voters in U.S. Senate battleground states and 500 likely voters in U.S. House battleground districts). The margin of error among these audiences at the 95% confidence interval level is +/- 4.4%.
To read the full research and analysis from this study, see the memo and the presentation.
Key findings include:
- Policymakers pushing further tech regulation are pursuing a low priority issue. Voters rate regulating U.S. tech companies as a relatively low priority. Rather, they want their elected officials to focus on key economic and national security issues.
Question: For each issue, please indicate how much of a priority it is for you that the government address that issue.
- Voters are worried regulation of the U.S. tech industry will harm U.S. competitiveness with foreign adversaries, namely China. Specifically, voters are concerned that:
- China could gain a lasting tech advantage, costing millions of American jobs, just like what happened in manufacturing (90 percent concerning).
- Restricting American tech companies from developing innovative new products could make the U.S. less economically competitive (88 percent concerning).
- Voters are worried further regulation of the U.S. tech industry will harm national security. Voters worry about the national security consequences that could result in additional regulation of U.S. tech companies. Their specific concerns include:
- America could be made less safe by exposing our critical infrastructure to cyberattacks, exposing our elections to foreign interference, and putting our private data at risk (94 percent concerning).
- China could gain more opportunities to conduct espionage against the U.S. (91 percent concerning).
- Voters are poised to reward candidates who prioritize addressing key election issues over far-reaching tech regulation. Candidates who prioritize key election issues – such as getting the cost of living under control – have a significant edge over candidates who are focused on breaking up American tech companies.
Question: If the next election for Congress were today, which candidate would you be more likely to support even if neither is perfect?
The bottom line: This cycle, voters want to see elected officials address their priority issues, such as the cost of living, national security, and jobs. They view regulating tech companies as a relatively low priority and are concerned that competition restrictions are misguided and could have negative unintended consequences, including greater threats to our national security as well as the United States losing its competitive edge against 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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