Are political contributions attempts to buy special favors?
Over 80% of those surveyed said they believe people making large political contributions are trying to buy special favors. However, the point at which it’s believed contributions start to be effective in buying favors varies among respondents. The critical breaking point when contributions could start to buy favors, according to those taking the poll, lies somewhere between $20,000 to $100,000. Do large political contributions make it look like someone is trying to by special favors? Percent of Total Responses Total Yes 83% Total No 14% Don’t know/Refused 3% Level of Political Contributions Needed to Buy Special Favors Less than $1,000 or any amount 3% $1,000 7% $5,000 8% $20,000 16% $50,000 16% $100,000 15% More than $100,000 13% Don’t know/Refused 7% The poll results were consistent statewide, with 82-85% in each region responding that large political contributions create the appearance someone is trying to buy favor. Opinions vary slightly by demographic characteristic. Young adults
