Electoral Bigotry

The Gallup Poll recently released a survey they did on electoral bigotry, and the results were pretty interesting. They asked respondents whether they would vote for their party's nominee if they were of a certain race or ethnicity, age, sex, religion or sexual preference.

First, the good news. If this survey is to be believed, it looks like race or ethnicity is less of a factor than it has been in the past. Only 5% of the respondents said they would not vote for a black candidate nominated by their party. Hispanics didn't quite do that well. At least 12% said they would not vote for a Hispanic candidate. I suspect this is because of the ethnic slurs and attacks made against Hispanics in the last election (disguised as opposition to illegal immigration).

Although they were not included in the survey, I believe that those of Middle Eastern heritage would probably not fare well in an election right now - there's just been too much bad press the last few years.

Women fared about as well as Hispanics. A full 11% of respondents showed their sexist bigotry by saying they would not vote for a woman nominated by their party.

Most religions fared pretty well, although 4% said they would not vote for a Catholic, 7% would not vote for a Jew, and 24% would not vote for a Mormon.

From there, things go downhill. Gays and the elderly did not fare too well. Of the respondents, 42% would not vote for a 72 year-old and 43% would not vote for a gay candidate. But as poor as these numbers are, a majority of respondents said they would vote for all of the above groups if nominated by their party.

In fact, there was only one group that a majority said they would NOT vote for even if they were nominated by the respondent's own party. Who is the most electorally-discriminated against group in America? Atheists. 53% of respondents said they would not vote for an atheist. If you're an atheist planning on running for political office, you'd better keep your non-belief in a religion secret or you will surely be defeated. Electorally, atheists are the most discriminated-against group in America.

We like to brag about everyone being equal in this country. But the truth is that when we go into the election booth, many of us still vote our prejudices. I wish it was different, but it's not. Maybe someday.

Here are the poll results:

94% would vote for a black candidate (5% would not)
87% would vote for a Hispanic hopeful (12% would not)
88% would vote for a woman (11% would not)
92% would vote for a Jewish candidate (7% would not)
95% would vote for a Catholic candidate (4% would not)
72% would vote for a Mormon (24% would not)
45% would vote for an atheist (53% would not)
57% would vote for a 72-year-old (42% would not)
55% would vote for a gay candidate (43% would not)