Public Opinion of Liquor Privatization

A strong majority of Pennsylvanians favor ending the government sale of wine and spirits according to a comprehensive poll conducted by nationally-renown pollster Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3).  From January 22-27, 2013, FM3 polled 800 randomly-selected Pennsylvania registered voters.  The margin of error for statewide results is 3.5%.

Who supports privatization?

Republicans, Democrats, and Independents

Party	Total Favor	Total Oppose	Don’t Know
Republicans	69%	26%	5%
Independents	71%	25%	4%
Democrats	52%	43%	4%

 Union Households

Union Households	Total Favor	Total Oppose	Don’t Know
Union Member	52%	43%	5%
Union Household	58%	38%	4%
Not Union Household	61%	33%	5%

PLCB Customers

Frequency of Purchase	Total Favor	Total Oppose	Don’t Know
Weekly	77%	22%	1%
Monthly	71%	24%	5%
Few Times/Year	66%	29%	4%
Less Often	52%	45%	3%
Never	35%	58%	7%

Everyone Outside of Philadelphia

Region	Total Favor	Total Oppose	Don’t Know
Allegheny	69%	28%	3%
Southwest	54%	42%	4%
Philadelphia County	46%	50%	4%
Outer Phila. Market	66%	29%	5%
Northeast	59%	35%	7%
The T	62%	33%	4%

Every Media Market

Media Market	Total Favor	Total Oppose	Don’t Know
Harrisburg-York	61%	33%	6%
Johnstown-Altoona	70%	29%	1%
Philadelphia	59%	35%	6%
Pittsburgh	61%	35%	3%
Wilkes-Barre-Scranton	62%	37%	1%
Lehigh Valley	53%	41%	6%

Liberals, Moderates, and Conservatives

Ideology	Total Favor	Total Oppose	Don’t Know
Liberal	60%	36%	4%
Moderate	61%	36%	3%
Conservative	61%	33%	6%

Educated Voters

Education	Total Favor	Total Oppose	Don’t Know
High School or Less	56%	38%	6%
Some College	51%	44%	4%
College Graduate	70%	25%	5%
Post-Graduate	66%	30%	4%

Why do they support? (Open-ended)

• 33%: Less government regulation
• 29%: Convenience/buy in supermarkets
• 17%: Keep up with other states/works in other states
• 15%: Competition/better prices/free market

What else did we learn?

• After all arguments pro & con were presented, support was higher than at the start.
• Most voters said argument in favor of “modernization” (often presented as an alternative to privatization) was not convincing.
• Voters were somewhat more likely to vote for lawmakers who support privatization plan.

 

# # #

For more on Liquor Privatization, visit BoozeFacts.com

The Commonwealth Foundation crafts free-market policies, convinces Pennsylvanians of their benefits, and counters attacks on liberty.