While Democrats running in November have been outspoken on their differences with Republicans on abortion rights, democracy and economic issues, advocates want to see sharper distinctions on issues including immigration and public safety, reports the Wisconsin Examiner. “What voters are taking to the ballot box on these issues … are about a desire to prevent crime and to see communities be safer,” said Insha Rahman of the Vera Institute of Justice. Rahman said. , polling that Vera Action commissioned this summer suggests that a bloc of voters who could be crucial to the Democrats’ success are open to a stronger, contrasting message on immigration and crime, Vera Action sponsored a poll by Global Strategy Group, a polling and messaging firm, that surveyed 800 likely voters in Wisconsin and an additional sample of 250 Milwaukee County voters.
On the subject of crime, policing and public safety, the poll found that nearly two-thirds — 63% — preferred a “serious about safety approach” to one that emphasized getting “tough on crime.” The “tough on crime” approach focuses on longer prison sentences for people convicted of violent crimes, increased support for police and maintaining a more restrictive cash bail system. The “serious about safety” approach emphasizes the broader quality of life, with policies for living wages, affordable housing, more treatment for mental health and drug addiction and getting illegal guns off the street, Rahman said. Half of voters surveyed said they heard more from Republicans on crime and safety. That was twice the number of voters who said they heard more from Democrats on the subject. Swing voters “only hear a lot of tough-on-crime rhetoric,” Rahman said. “They don’t hear a lot of the safety message — but when they do they strongly favor it.” She said, “It really says something about where voters are, which is very different from where the political rhetoric, the media rhetoric this cycle is on the issue of crime."
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