polling

Despite numerous public opinion polls showing overwhelming support for Sunday sales legislation, elected officials have been reluctant to give the bill a fair hearing.  The following is a sample of key findings in recent polls by national respected firms:

A recent Atlanta Journal Constitution- Mason Dixon poll found an impressive 65% of voters in favor of the legislation. (James Salzer, AJC, 1/13/08)

The AJC- Mason Dixon poll asked 625 registered voters, “Do you support a proposal to permit counties to hold referendums to decide whether or not they will allow the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores on Sundays?” 65% of respondents supported Sunday Sales with only 33% opposing.  Most notably 41% said they strongly support the proposal, signaling tremendous intensity behind the proposal.

A Mason-Dixon poll conducted in January 2007 had found 68 percent supported legislation giving voters the chance to consider Sunday beer and wine sales at grocery and convenience stores. (James Salzer, AJC, 01/07/07)  An earlier Insider Advantage poll returned similar results with 66% of respondents favoring the legislation.  (James Salzer, AJC, 12/15/06)

In addition to these statewide polls, McLaughlin and Associates, a nationally respected polling firm, surveyed three key State Senate districts regarding the Sunday Sales proposal on March 22, 2007.  The firm surveyed 300 likely voters in a rural, urban, and suburban district, finding 66%, 73%, and 61% support respectively. 

Even when asked about simply lifting the statewide ban on Sunday Sales without the local referendum provision included in the current legislation, an overwhelming majority of voters show unequivocal support.  In a February 2007 poll, Strategic Vision asked “Would you support changing the current Georgia law, and allow alcohol sales on Sunday?” 53% of respondents approved while only 33% disapproved.  This validated a January 2007 poll by the firm showing 52% approval to 30% disapproval.