Poll: Where Missouri voters stand on abortion rights, gaming, a higher minimum wage

In a recent survey, 52% of likely Missouri voters said they support amending the state constitution to enshrine the right to an abortion, according to a poll released Thursday.

Support was highest among Democrats, women — especially those ages 18-44 — and among those with higher incomes and a college education. Regionally, support was highest in the St. Louis and Kansas City areas.

However, while 34% oppose the amendment, 14% said they remain unsure.

Saint Louis University and YouGov surveyed 900 likely Missouri voters from Aug. 8-16 about the 2024 election, current political issues and education policy in the state. There is a 3.7% margin of error.

The poll showed 50% are in favor of permitting licensed sports wagering that is regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission and 57% support raising the minimum wage.

The minimum wage in Missouri stands at $12.30 per hour. If approved, a November ballot issue calls for it to increase to $13.75 per hour Jan. 1 and then $15 by the start of 2026.

Asked what it should be, those surveyed said $14 or $15 with some Democrats answering $16 and most Republicans answering $12.

At the time of the poll, 54% said they planned to vote for former president Donald Trump and 41% for Vice President Kamala Harris. In southwest Missouri, it was 66% for Trump and 27% for Harris.

Asked about the U.S. economy, overall 45% described it as poor but broken down by party lines, only 16% of Democrats described it that way compared to 65% of Republicans.

Overall, 59% said they believe the U.S. is not on the right track. It was 85% among Republicans and 30% among Democrats.

At the national level, political leaders did not fare well. Only 41% approve of the job President Joe Biden is doing but the level fell to 25% for the U.S. Congress. Approval of the U.S. Supreme Court was 47% overall but 66% among Republicans.

Only 47% of likely voters approve of the job done by the Missouri legislature but 53% approve of Gov. Mike Parson.

Sharply divided along party lines, 51% of those surveyed said they will vote for Republican Mike Kehoe for governor in November compared to 41% who plan to support Democrat Crystal Quade.

More: Springfield's Crystal Quade wins Democratic primary for Missouri governor

More than half of those polled said they will support Republicans David Wasinger for lieutenant governor, Andrew Bailey for attorney general, Dennis Hoskins for secretary of state and Vivek Malek for state treasurer.

For U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, 53% approved of the job he's doing. The approval was only 13% among Democrats and 84% among Republicans.

Asked about the upcoming election, 53% planned to support Hawley, a Republican, while 42% backed Democratic challenger Lucas Kunce.

Respondents largely agreed the economy should be the top priority for the Missouri government followed by health care, education and infrastructure — although health care nudged the economy for the top spot among Democrats.

More: Mike Kehoe, Crystal Quade agree to gubernatorial debate in Springfield in September

More than half of those surveyed said the Missouri government should spend more to aid the poor.

Here are a few other results worth noting:

• 79% were in favor of requiring criminal background checks for all those buying guns in Missouri, including at gun shows and private sales. Support was 95% among Democrats, 76% among Independents and 69% among Republicans;
• 49% support allowing Missouri counties, St. Louis City and Kansas City to pass their own local gun regulations. To that question, 17% said they were unsure;
• 48% favor allowing Missourians with a concealed carry permit to possess a firearm in a place of worship;
• 85% support banning minors from carrying guns on public property without adult supervision. There was a high level of bipartisan support.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Poll: Where Missouri voters stand on abortion rights, gaming, a higher minimum wage