Barely a quarter of Americans think the District of Columbia deserves to be a state, according to the results of poll released today by Rasmussen Reports. But opponents of DC statehood shouldn’t grin that only 25 percent of people think the District deserves taxation with representation. The poll is rather skewed.
Rasmussen, which queried 1,000 voters from Sept. 23-24, is known for its rightward slant, and Republicans are generally less inclined than Democrats to support DC statehood. But more important here is the question’s loaded wording.
Rasmussen asked: “The US Constitution designates the nation’s capital, Washington, DC, as a federal district and not a state. Should Washington, DC be a state?” In other words, the poll asked people if they had the nerve to tinker with the Constitution. Most did not, though had the question been limited to District residents barely a week before the start of a potential federal government shutdown that could close down DC’s local services, the numbers might have swung the other way.
The statehood question had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent, and was part of a larger poll asking voters about whether the United States needs more states. The survey’s full results are behind a paywall, but the poll does no favors for statehood movements elsewhere around the country, such as the movement of counties in southern Oregon and northern California to form a new state called Jefferson. Only 12 percent of respondents said adding more states would be a good idea.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
75 Percent of Americans Oppose Statehood for DC
Only one-quarter of those surveyed say the District should have taxation with representation.
Benjamin Freed joined Washingtonian in August 2013 and covers politics, business, and media. He was previously the editor of DCist and has also written for Washington City Paper, the New York Times, the New Republic, Slate, and BuzzFeed. He lives in Adams Morgan.
Most Popular in News & Politics
Every Bus Line in DC Is Changing This Weekend. Here’s What to Know.
8 Takeaways From Usha Vance’s Interview With Meghan McCain
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
A Cult Classic of Cannabis Brands Is Making Its DC Debut
Washingtonian Magazine
July Issue: The "Best Of" Issue
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
“Mean Mugging” at Ward 8 Candidate Forum Leads to Arrest
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
More from News & Politics
Speaker Johnson’s Megabill Prayers Likely to Be Answered Before Holiday Weekend, Wrongly Deported Maryland Man Faced Abuse in El Salvador Prison, and We Found Some Yummy Nepalese Food
Pardoned J6er Will Join Ed Martin’s Justice Department Office, Trump Outlines Hypothetical Alligator Escape Plan, and We Have Fireworks Show Recommendations
The “World’s Largest Outdoor Museum” Is Coming to DC. Here’s a Preview.
A Cult Classic of Cannabis Brands Is Making Its DC Debut
The Commanders Wine and Dine DC Council Members; GOP Senator Suggests Tax Language Was “Airdropped” Into Spending Bill; and Trump Wants DOGE to Investigate Musk
100 Reasons to Love DC Right Now
How DC’s Attorney General Got So Good at Double Dutch
DC Council Ponders New Way to Expel Trayon White, the GOP’s Budget Bill Advances, and We Found You Some Tacos With Ethiopian Flair