Privatizing Liquor Stores Loses Voter Support

If you are in favor of privatizing the state’s liquor sales, odds are good that your neighbor feels differently, at least according to one poll.

The Frankin and Marshall College poll of Pennsylvania voters for May 2013 showed that voters are nearly split on the issue of liquor sales in the state. 47 percent of polled voters are in favor of ending state control.

According to the poll, the 47 percent in May is “significantly lower than it was in February,” when 53 percent of voters were in favor privatizing liquor.

“Support for selling the state stores has declined from February among both Republicans (54 percent, down from 61 percent) and Democrats (41 percent, down from 48 percent),” the study states. 

Additionally, the number of voters who “strongly oppose” changing the state-run liquor business rose from 24 percent in February to 31 percent in May. Check out the February poll here.

“Despite support for the liquor stores sales, more registered voters believe the state-owned liquor stores should continue as they are (31 percent) or be modernized (26 percent) than believe they should be sold to private companies (37 percent),” the study states.

The poll also found that getting a mean score of 4.9 out of 10 and making it the second-lowest rated issue of the poll in front of “privatizing the lottery.” The highest-rated issue was “improve the state economy.”

Do you think Pennsylvania should privatize liquor stores? How important is it to you that lawmakers address this issue? Share your opinions in the comments area below.

Check out more findings from the Franklin & Marshall College Poll from May 2013:

• Same-Sex Marraige 
• Legalized Pot