A plurality of voters in three crucial
swing states say transgender people should be allowed to use the
public bathroom that matches their gender identity.
According to a Quinnipiac University
Swing State Poll released Thursday, a plurality of voters in the
swing states of Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania say transgender people
should use the bathroom of their choice.
In Florida and Ohio, 48 percent of
respondents said transgender people should have the right to use the
public bathroom that matches their gender identity, while 44 percent
in Florida and 43 percent in Ohio disagreed.
Voters in Pennsylvania support such a
right 49-43 percent.
Majorities of voters in all three
states oppose requiring public schools to allow transgender students
to access the bathrooms and locker rooms of their choice. Opposition
is highest in Ohio (55-36 percent) with Florida (54-37) and
Pennsylvania (53-39) trailing close behind.
“The issue of transgender people and
the use of public bathrooms finds voters split on exactly what should
be done,” said Peter Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac
University Poll.
“Voters in Florida, Ohio and
Pennsylvania oppose the federal government order to public schools
that they must let transgender students use the bathroom of the
gender with which they identify. But they are split roughly evenly on
whether these students should be able to use whatever bathroom they
choose,” Brown added.
No presidential candidate since 1960
has won the race without taking at least two of these three states.