Multiple times a year, our statewide Wilder School Commonwealth Poll provides policymakers with an up-to-date snapshot of public opinion on current policy issues in the commonwealth. On this page you'll find information about recent poll highlights, as well as poll data organized by topic and by date.
Friday, August 9, 2024
75% Support Teaching History of Race in K-12 Schools
Poll Highlights
Our most recent poll was conducted from June 24 - July 3, 2024, with results released in July 2024. The poll asked Virginians for their perspectives on:
- The November 2024 presidential election
- Approval of President Biden
- Approval of Governor Youngkin
- Trump's felony conviction
- The November 2024 senate election
- The most important voting issues
- Illegal immigration at the southern border
- K-12 education
- Foreign policy
- Natural disaster preparedness
- Guaranteed income programs
- The VCU Health Systems development deal
Virginians share their perspectives on key issues
75%
support teaching history of race
47%
support guaranteed income programs
36%
approve of President Biden's handling of his job
85%
see illegal immigration as a problem
I think the results show that Virginia is truly a “battleground state” for the presidency. The drop by 20% (46%) of Black Virginians since December, where 67% supported Biden, should be concerning relative to turnout affecting congressional races, in particular in competitive districts 7 and 2.
Governor L. Douglas Wilder
66th Governor of Virginia
We are proud to have the Wilder School’s Commonwealth Poll selected as a Presidential Election Poll by CNN Politics for the first time in VCU’s history. Selection as a CNN-approved poll solidifies the Commonwealth Poll among the top polling operations in the nation while elevating the voice of Virginians.
Methodology
Our most recent poll was conducted from June 24 - July 3, 2024, with results released in July 2024. The methodology is as follows:
- 809 adult Virginians surveyed
- Phone survey (Landlines/Cell) – dual sample design on listed landline numbers and random digit dialed (RDD) cell phone numbers
- Sample weighted by demographics: gender, age, education, race, Hispanic origin, and region
- Overall margin of error: +/- 4.81 percentage points
References
For more information about the results, questions, and data, visit the links below:
- July 16, 2024: Trump leads Biden by 3 points in Virginia
- August 9, 2024: 75% of Virginians agree that the history of race should be taught in K-12 schools
For a comprehensive list of past poll questions, visit our Poll Guidebook.