WASHINGTON—Strong majorities of voters in the states likely to determine the next U.S. president support policies that will ease inflation, encourage U.S. oil and natural gas production, streamline infrastructure permitting and strengthen energy security for the United States and its allies, a late-summer survey indicates. The poll also shows most of those key voters dislike policies that ban natural gas appliances or gasoline-fueled vehicles, as well as actions that are likely to make America depend more on energy imports.

Political pundits largely agree that the outcome in several swing states appears likely to decide whether Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Trump will take the oath of office in January. According to polling conducted by Morning Consult and released in August by the American Petroleum Institute, respondents in battleground states Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin express widespread support for policies that encourage domestic oil and natural gas production and limit reliance on foreign sources.

API indicates the poll shows inflation remains a top concern for those voters, who also state overwhelming opposition to mandates or bans that would restrict consumers’ choices. And as Congress continues to debate bipartisan permitting reform legislation, voters in battleground states express strong support for reforms to streamline the approval process for energy infrastructure projects.

With Election Day fast approaching, API says it is urging policymakers on both sides of the aisle to support commonsense energy policies. The group points to its Five Point Policy Roadmap as a way to unleash America’s energy security and help reduce inflation. That document outlines the following principles:

• Protect consumer choice;
• Restore the role of American energy in bolstering the country’s geopolitical strength;
• Leverage the country’s abundant natural resources;
• Fix the country’s dysfunctional permitting system; and
• Advance sensible tax policy.

According to API President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Sommers, candidates would be wise to realize that American voters understand the connection between energy and prosperity. “The United States continues to be a global leader in energy production, but the American people recognize that our leaders in Washington must advance an agenda to grow our nation’s energy advantage for decades to come,” Sommers says. “With geopolitical tensions rising and inflation remaining a top concern, we need policies that reinforce the role of American energy on the world stage and support access to the affordable, reliable energy consumers need.”

State By State

Results from the Morning Consult poll suggest that inflation and the resulting struggle to afford daily necessities remains a vexing issue for those living in battleground states. To the question “How concerned are you about inflation?” more than 90% of registered voters answered in the affirmative. On a state-by-state basis, the proportion of respondents who agreed they were concerned totaled:

• 94% in Arizona;
• 93% in Georgia;
• 94% in Michigan;
• 94% in Nevada;
• 92% in North Carolina;
• 91% in Pennsylvania; and
• 91% in Wisconsin.

As to whether producing more oil and natural gas in the United States would help ease American consumers’ energy and utility costs, respondents again agreed by decisive margins. The survey asked participants whether they agreed with or rejected the statement that “Producing more oil and natural gas here in the United States could help lower energy and utility costs for American consumers and small businesses.” The percentages of those who concurred with that statement were:

• 83% in Arizona;
• 88% in Georgia;
• 84% in Michigan;
• 86% in Nevada;
• 85% in North Carolina;
• 83% in Pennsylvania; and
• 80% in Wisconsin.

Meanwhile, a position that garnered far lower voter support dealt with laws and policies to restrict consumer choice. When asked “Do you support or oppose government mandates that would ban gas stoves, gas furnaces or new gasoline, diesel and hybrid vehicles?” less than a third of respondents expressed support. Here is the state-by-state breakdown:

• 31% in Arizona;
• 24% in Georgia;
• 20% in Michigan;
• 25% in Nevada;
• 24% in North Carolina;
• 23% in Pennsylvania; and
• 23% in Wisconsin.

On the other hand, API observes, roughly eight in 10 voters said they wanted policymakers to address flaws in the country’s permitting system to streamline the process of approving energy infrastructure projects. The poll question “Do you support or oppose permitting reform that would streamline and speed the federal government’s yearslong process for approving energy infrastructure projects here in America?” saw answers in support at levels of:

• 79% in Arizona;
• 81% in Georgia;
• 82% in Michigan;
• 81% in Nevada
• 80% in North Carolina;
• 84% in Pennsylvania; and
• 80% in Wisconsin.

The poll also found that a similar proportion of voters concurred that producing domestic oil and natural gas would help bolster U.S. national security. The poll asked participants if they agreed that “producing oil and natural gas here in America helps make our country more secure against actions by countries such as China and Russia.” Proportions of respondents who answered in the affirmative were:

• 89% in Arizona;
• 91% in Georgia;
• 87% in Michigan;
• 85% in Nevada;
• 88% in North Carolina
• 86% in Pennsylvania; and
• 87% in Wisconsin.

API points out that Morning Consult found even stronger support for America to leverage its domestic resources instead of relying on imports. “Do you support or oppose the United States increasing its own domestic sources of oil and natural gas rather than relying on other regions of the world?” received support answers at rates of:

• 85% in Arizona;
• 89% in Georgia;
• 86% in Michigan;
• 82% in Nevada;
• 82% in North Carolina;
• 86% in Pennsylvania; and
• 84% in Wisconsin.

Another finding, API highlights, indicated strong backing for a reasonable federal tax policy that encouraged American energy production and strengthened the country’s economic and energy security. The question “Do you support or oppose a federal tax policy that encourages American energy production and strengthens the country’s economic and energy security?” received affirmative answers at rates of:

• 82% in Arizona;
• 85% in Georgia;
• 82% in Michigan;
• 76% in Nevada;
• 80% in North Carolina;
• 78% in Pennsylvania; and
• 76% in Wisconsin.

The full poll results can be viewed at Battleground State Voters’ Views on Energy Policy Issues.