By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – Virginians say they support a wide range of policy proposals under debate in Richmond, according to a new statewide poll.
The survey found broad support for proposals tied to wages, paid leave, marijuana sales, data center regulation and several potential constitutional amendments. The results come as Democrats hold majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly and control the governor’s office.
The poll was conducted by the Wason Center for Civic Leadership at Christopher Newport University. Sampling of 807 registered voters in the state was conducted Jan. 13-20 and has a +/-4.4% margin of error.
When asked about the direction of Virginia, 46% of voters said the state is headed in the right direction, while 35% said it is headed in the wrong direction. Another 10% said they were unsure.
Views of the country were more negative. Sixty-five percent of respondents said the United States is headed in the wrong direction.
Looking ahead to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s term, 60% of voters said they feel optimistic, while 33% said they feel pessimistic.
Inflation and the cost of living ranked as the top issue facing the state, followed by political extremism or threats to democracy, health care and K–12 education.
Sixty percent supported allowing the retail sale of recreational marijuana. A majority also favored eliminating the 1% local option sales tax and replacing it with state funds.
Workplace policies drew broad backing. Seventy-eight percent of respondents supported increasing Virginia’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2028, and 80% favored requiring employers to provide paid sick leave.
Support was even higher for establishing a paid family and medical leave program providing up to 12 weeks of benefits for eligible workers.
Views were more mixed on Virginia’s right-to-work law. A majority supported keeping the law as it is, while voters were divided on proposals that would modify it.
Data center development also drew clear responses. Large majorities supported restrictions on locating facilities near parks or historic sites, along with requirements for site assessments, noise studies and energy sourcing standards.
The poll also measured support for constitutional amendments. Large majorities of voters supported guaranteeing reproductive rights in the state constitution and restoring voting rights to people confsupportvicted of felonies after they complete their prison sentences.
Opinions were narrower on redistricting. While most voters supported Virginia’s current commission-based system, just over half said they would support a temporary change allowing the General Assembly to redraw congressional districts mid-cycle.
On Tuesday, a judge ruled lawmakers failed to follow required procedures when advancing that proposal, blocking it from moving forward under the current timeline.
Respondents were 39% Democrats, 27% Republicans and 32% independent. The Wason Center bills itself as “unbiased, nonpartisan insight into the policy issues shaping the future of the commonwealth.”
