ST. LEO, FL – An August survey by the Saint Leo University Polling Institute (http://polls.saintleo.edu) found that the latest national job approval rating for President Donald J. Trump was nearing 48 percent, with the figure just above 50 percent in Florida. Ratings from both samples are higher than past ratings for the president.

The survey was completed by 1,000 adults nationally and by a parallel sample of 500 adults across Florida between August 10 and August 16, 2018. The margin of error for the national results is plus or minus 3 percentage points, and for the statewide sample, plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.

Respondents were asked about the job Donald J. Trump is doing as president and whether they strongly approve, somewhat approve, somewhat disapprove, strongly disapprove, or are unsure/don’t know.

The detailed findings are shown for both samples.

August 2018 Trump job performance National % Florida %
Strongly approve 25.7 30.8
Somewhat approve 22.1 19.6
Combined approval 47.8 50.4
Somewhat disapprove 12.3 8.2
Strongly disapprove 37.2 38.4
Combined disapproval 49.5 46.6
Unsure/don’t know 2.7 3.0

The polling institute found the combined approval ratings for Trump trended this way over time.

Combined approval ratings September 2017 % November 2017 % February 2018 % May  2018 % August 2018 %
National 42.8 41.2 40.7 46.1 47.8
Florida 43.1 41.8 42.6 45.8 50.4

 

The Saint Leo University Polling Institute also asked respondents taking its May and August surveys about planned political activity in their own lives.

The institute posed the question this way with the following results.

Thinking about the upcoming mid-term elections this November, how active do you

             expect to be on behalf of your preferred political party and candidates, such as staying

             informed or attending events, posting on social media, volunteering and donating?

             Would you say…

 

 Level of Engagement National    May 2018 % National August 2018 % Florida    May 2018 % Florida August 2018 %
Very active 29.3 31.8 30.2 34.2
Somewhat active 36.4 33.0 43.7 33.8
Combined: very and somewhat active 65.7 64.8 73.9 68.0
Somewhat inactive 14.5 16.5 9.5 13.2
Not at all active 12.4 13.1 10.7 12.0
Unsure 7.4 29.6 5.9 6.8

 

 

About the Poll
METHODOLOGY: The poll sampled opinions of 1,000 respondents nationwide. The survey was conducted August 10 through August 16, 2018. All surveys were conducted using an online survey instrument. The poll has a +/- 3.0 percent margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level (on a composite basis) with questions asked of all 1,000.

The Saint Leo University Polling Institute conducts its surveys using cutting-edge online methodology, which is rapidly transforming the field of survey research. The sample is drawn from large online panels, which allow for random selections that reflect accurate cross sections of all demographic groups. Online methodology has the additional advantage of allowing participants to respond to the survey at a time, place, and speed that is convenient to them, which may result in more thoughtful answers. The Saint Leo University Polling Institute develops the questionnaires, administers the surveys, and conducts analysis of the results. Panel participants typically receive a token incentive—usually $1 deposited into an iTunes or Amazon account—for their participation.

The Saint Leo University Polling Institute survey results about national and Florida politics, public policy issues, Pope Francis’ popularity, and other topics, can also be found here: http://polls.saintleo.edu. You can also follow the institute on Twitter @saintleopolls.

Media contacts: Mary McCoy, Saint Leo University, University Communications mary.mccoy02@saintleo.edu or (352) 588-7118 or (813) 610-8416 (cell/text).
Jo-Ann Johnston, Saint Leo University, University Communications jo-ann.johnston@saintleo.edu or (352) 588-8237 or (352) 467-0843 (cell/text).     

 

More About Saint Leo University
Saint Leo University (www.saintleo.edu) is a modern Catholic teaching university that is firmly grounded in the liberal arts tradition and the timeless Benedictine wisdom that seeks balanced growth of mind, body, and spirit. The Saint Leo University of today is a private, nonprofit institution that creates hospitable learning communities wherever students want to be or need to be, whether that is a campus classroom, a web-based environment, an employer’s worksite, a military base, or an office park. Saint Leo welcomes people of all faiths and of no religious affiliation, and encourages learners of all generations. The university is committed to providing educational opportunities to the nation’s armed forces, veterans, and their families. Saint Leo is regionally accredited to award degrees ranging from the associate to the doctorate, and the faculty and staff guide all students to develop their capacities for critical thinking, moral reflection, and lifelong learning and leadership.

The university remains the faithful steward of the beautiful lakeside University Campus in the Tampa Bay region of Florida, where its founding monks created the first Catholic college in the state in 1889. Serving more than 13,000 students, Saint Leo has expanded to downtown Tampa, to other sites in Florida and beyond, and maintains a physical presence in seven states. The university provides highly respected online learning programs to students nationally and internationally. More than 93,000 alumni reside in all 50 states, in Washington, DC, in three U.S. territories, and in 76 countries.