DRAKE UNIVERSITY STRAW POLL RESULTS
The ABC News Republican Presidential debate as it started December 10, 2011 (credit ABC/Matthew Putney)
Press Release covering Drake University Student Body Straw Poll
DES MOINES, Iowa – Dec. 11, 2011 – As campus buzzed with the activity of the ABC News Presidential Debate, 1,223 Drake University students participated in one of the largest student straw polls this election cycle. Students were asked to pick their favorite Republican candidate. Among the Republican contenders, Ron Paul won the poll with 35 percent of the vote. Paul was followed by Mitt Romney (25 percent) and Newt Gingrich (10 percent). Students were then asked who they would vote for in a head-to-head matchup between their preferred Republican contender and President Obama. Fifty-five percent of respondents chose the Republican candidate over Democrat Barack Obama.
Responses also indicated many Drake students are not strangers to presidential campaigns. A remarkable 44 percent said they had seen or met a presidential candidate within the last year.
Another notable statistic gathered from the poll was the nearly perfect distribution of party identification. Forty-one percent of students self-identified as Republican or leaning Republican, while 40 percent of students self-identified as Democrat or leaning Democrat. Sixteen percent of students self-identified as Independent, and 3 percent reported “Other.”
In addition, the straw poll indicated a significant number of students want to participate in the Iowa caucuses held on Jan. 3. Student leaders are optimistic the debate and straw poll will create momentum for student involvement in the nation’s first nominating contest.
The poll, sponsored by Drake University Student Senate, was intended to engage students and identify young voter preferences for the upcoming presidential election. The straw poll was conducted over a 24-hour period on Dec. 10 through a secure online balloting system. Drake’s 5,000 students were the only participants. Inquiries about acquiring specific data can be sent to strawpoll@drake.edu.
The Drake University Student Senate is the representative body of Drake University’s 3,200 undergraduate students and is committed to maximizing student impact and
involvement throughout the political process. Its diverse responsibilities include the allocation of student funds, publicizing campus activities and oversight of campus organizations.
