Houston Election 2023 U of H Voter Policies and Opinions Survey Drops
The Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston conducted a representative survey of City of Houston likely voters to identify their preferences and opinions regarding the November 7, 2023 municipal election. The survey was fielded between July 12 and July 20, 2023 by contacting likely voters via SMS messages through which the respondents were directed to an online survey platform with the option to complete the survey in English or in Spanish. The survey population of 800 has a margin of error of +/- 3.5% and is representative of those City of Houston residents who are likely to vote in the 2023 mayoral election.
The results of the survey are presented in a series of two reports. The first report examined the mayoral and controller races in November as well as potential runoff scenarios in the contest for mayor. The second report focuses on the impact and importance of policy issues facing the City of Houston in the opinion of the city’s likely voters.
Executive Summary City of Houston likely voters are closely divided between those who believe things in the City of Houston are headed in the right direction (47%) and in the wrong (53%) direction.
City of Houston likely voters were asked about the priority of policies for Houston’s next mayor: a top priority, important but a lower priority, not too important, and should not be addressed.
83% believe that crime should be a top priority. 72% believe that flooding should be a top priority
. 65% believe that road and street conditions should be a top priority.
65% believe that the economy and jobs should be a top priority.
44% believe that affordable housing should be a top priority.
34% believe that trash collection and recycling should be a top priority.
16% believe that parks and recreation should be a top priority.
12% believe that animal adoption and control should be a top priority
Blacks (91%) are more likely than whites (77%) to list crime as a top priority.
2 Black Democrats (91%) and Latino Democrats (79%) are more likely than white Democrats (59%) to list crime as a top priority, while there is little difference between white (98%) and Latino (95%) Republicans and Black Democrats (91%).
Blacks (72%) are significantly more likely than whites (36%) and Latinos (35%) to list affordable housing as a top priority.