As election season hits its stride, we now have a better read on what will be on the forefront of Mississippi voters’ minds when they cast their ballots.
Nationally respected firm Cygnal surveyed 500 likely general election voters in the Magnolia State from August 26-27 and found that matters of money were chief among concerns.
Inflation, the economy, and the cost of living ranked at the top of the list followed by tax policies. According to World Population Review, Mississippi has the highest rate of poverty and lowest median household income.
Tax policies also ranked highly among likely voters. Mississippi’s top elected officials, Governor Tate Reeves and Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann, have recently proposed contrasting ideas to cut taxes in the state. Reeves has promised to exhaust all efforts into eliminating the state income tax, whereas Hosemann has vied for lowering Mississippi’s highest-in-the-nation sales tax on groceries.
Healthcare was the third-highest issue of importance among voters. Mississippi has been at the forefront of a hospital crisis in recent years with multiple systems on the verge of shutting doors for good. Additionally, the Magnolia State has the highest infant and maternal mortality rates as well as one of the highest rates of obesity nationally.
The full list of top priorities among likely voters in Mississippi can be found below:
The results of the survey were revealed after House Speaker Jason White and other prominent Mississippi elected officials held a policy summit in Flowood. White, as the top dog in the House of Representatives, vowed to use this information rather than hyper-partisan talking points as a basis for how he will lead in the upcoming legislative session.
“In the House, we will make informed decisions based on verifiable data, not partisan rhetoric,” White said. “Mississippi is facing critical challenges and the House of Representatives is committed to doing the work that the people care about most.”
