Poll: Utahns overwhelmingly support independent investigation into Russian election meddling

Utahns overwhelmingly agree with the appointment of Robert Mueller as a special counsel to investigate Russia’s involvement in the 2016 presidential election.Utahns overwhelmingly agree with the appointment of Robert Mueller as a special counsel to investigate Russia’s involvement in the 2016 presidential election.

 

A Dan Jones & Associates survey finds that 76% of Utahns agree with the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the Russia issue, including 44% who “strongly agree” with the move. Only 17% disagree with Mueller’s appointment, while 7% don’t know.

 

While Utahns want to see an independent investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election, they don’t think that the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians. A previous UtahPolicy.com survey found that 52% of Utahns think there was only incidental contact between the Trump campaign and the Russian government.

There is little disagreement about whether Russia tried to influence the 2016 election. Even President Trump has begrudgingly acknowledged that the Russians attempted to influence the outcome of last year’s election.

The need for an independent investigation became more apparent this past week when it was revealed Donald Trump Jr. met with a Kremlin-connected lawyer who was promising to deliver damaging information about Hillary Clinton that was part of an effort by the Russian government to help Trump’s campaign. That lawyer did not deliver the promised goods, but Trump Jr. and other top Trump advisers are now under extra scrutiny because they were at least willing to take the meeting.

There’s no partisan divide on the question of an independent investigation

  • Republicans favor the appointment of Mueller as a special counsel 67-25%
  • Democrats overwhelmingly support the appointment of a special prosecutor 95-3%.
  • Independent voters favor the independent investigation into Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election 84-13%.

The Dan Jones & Associates survey was conducted May 31 – June 5, 2017 among 607 registered Utah voters with a margin of error +/- 3.98%.