Just over two weeks away from Election Day, the Atlanta Journal Constitution released new polling that for the first time measures approval of the proposed Opportunity School District that voters will decide on in Amendment 1. The AJC poll does not test the ballot question itself. Instead, the poll question attempted to provide additional context on what the measure would do:
The Georgia ballot includes a constitutional amendment that would allow the state to take control of persistently low performing schools. Supporters say the state will improve student performance in these schools and will be more flexible than local districts. Opponents say the amendment would eliminate local decision-making and create more bureaucracy. If the election was being held today, how would you vote, yes in favor of this amendment, or no against the amendment?
On the ballot, voters will see this question:
Provides greater flexibility and state accountability to fix failing schools through increasing community involvement.[
Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow the state to intervene in chronically failing public schools in order to improve student performance?
34% of those polled said they would vote in favor of the amendment, while 59% would vote no. 8% remain undecided. The measure drew the least support from Republicans and those in metro Atlanta. Relative support was stronger among men, independents, those without college degrees, and those living in the southwest part of the state, however the story notes that support in these groups never went above 50%. The poll was taken earlier this week of likely voters and the margin of error is 4.26%.
In addition to polling the Opportunity School District, the AJC found Donald Trump leads Hillary Clinton 44% to 42%, within the poll’s margin of error. (crosstabs) In the Senate race, Johnny Isakson leads Jim Barksdale by a 47% to 32% margin among likely voters. Libertarian Allen Buckley receives 11% support. (crosstabs)