HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHP) — With less than two weeks until Election Day, Josh Shapiro holds a lead over Republican challenger Stacy Garrity in Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial race, according to new poll data released Thursday.
In a survey of 782 likely voters conducted by Franklin & Marshall College, 54% said they would vote or are leaning toward voting for Shapiro, compared to 33% for Garrity. Four percent of likely voters said they’d vote for another candidate, and 9% said they’re undecided.
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About 42% of likely voters said they “haven’t heard enough” about Garrity to have an opinion on her, according to the data.
As for Shapiro, about 44% of likely voters said he is doing an “excellent” or “good” job as governor. Twenty-four percent said he’s doing “only a fair job,” and 24% said he’s doing a “poor” job.
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s job performance rating compared to previous Pennsylvania governors, according to past survey data from Franklin & Marshall College. (Courtesy of Franklin & Marshall)
State issues
Likely voters were also asked about hot-button issues like Flock cameras, vaccines and election integrity.
According to the survey, 61% of likely voters said automated license plate readers (ALPRs) threaten their civil liberties and oppose their use by local police. Thirty-two percent said they want their community to use ALPRs because they help police solve crimes.
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As Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak continues, roughly 70% of voters said the state government should be doing more to encourage people to get vaccinated. About 80% said they believe vaccines are safe and effective.
Election integrity
Voters also expressed some election integrity concerns as Nov. 3 approaches.
About 52% of voters said they are “very concerned” or “somewhat concerned” about widespread voter fraud. About 47% said they are “not very concerned” or “not at all concerned.”
Forty-five percent said they’re concerned about noncitizens voting in the election, but the majority (54%) said they’re not concerned.
Additionally, 65% of voters expressed concern about the U.S. Postal Service failing to deliver all of the mail-in ballots in time for them to be counted.