Press Release
82% of Voters Support Broad Eligibility of the Child Tax Credit, As Census Data Shows Child Poverty Doubled After Program’s Lapse in 2022
09. 13. 2023
As Congress is Stalled by the Appropriations Battle, This Poll Highlights the Importance of Policies that Support Families
Washington, D.C. – Even as the Census Bureau’s published poverty data for 2022 shows an unprecedented spike in child poverty, new polling – published by Hart Research Associates in collaboration with Economic Security Project and Groundwork Action – indicates that 82% of voters favor a Child Tax Credit that is fully available for all low- and middle-income families, and that support is even greater when looking at Black (83%) and Hispanic (90%) voters (Featured Result 3). The poll is being published on the same day that congressional champions of the child tax credit are hosting a press conference to reiterate their support for restoring the expanded CTC this year.
“The Child Tax Credit has been one of the most effective economic policies of the Biden era, giving working families the breathing room they need to care for their loved ones. The lapse of the CTC has had a devastating impact on families, forcing many parents to choose between rent and groceries,” said Adam Ruben, Vice President of Campaigns and Political Strategy at the Economic Security Project. “Over the past few years, we’ve seen a ton of momentum around reinstating the CTC on the state level and it’s clear that voters – and state elected officials – are looking for that energy to be met at the federal level.”
The poll also shows that when voters are asked to “indicate which party you think does a better job of handling this issue,” voters indicate that Democrats “support families with children” more than Republicans (50% vs. 32%, Featured Result 1). Below is a selection from the poll that was conducted with interviews from 1,421 registered voters nationally between August 31st and September 5th, 2023. Language is pulled directly from the poll and linked here is the slide deck of the poll.
Poll Findings
Featured Result 1
Result 1“For each one of the following issues, please indicate which party you think does a better job of handling this issue.” Supporting families with children.
Total Democrats do a better job +18 (50% Democrats vs 32% Republicans)
Independent Voters +25
White Voters +8
Black Voters +73
Hispanic Voters +27
Suburban women +29
Featured Result 2
Result 2“There is a proposal in Congress to expand and improve the Child Tax Credit, to refund poor, working-, and middle-class families more money for each child under age 18, create a larger tax cut for families with children under age six, and make the credit fully available for all families with low incomes.”
Based on what you just read, would you support or oppose expanding the Child Tax Credit?
Total Support/Total Oppose 70-20
Independent Support/Oppose 65-22
Republican Support/Oppose 60-30
White Voter Support/Oppose 68-21
Black Voter Support/Oppose 81-10
Hispanic Voter Support/Oppose 79-15
Featured Result 3
Result 3Now you will read some things you might learn about the expanded Child Tax Credit. For each one, please indicate whether you feel very favorable, somewhat favorable, somewhat unfavorable, or very unfavorable about that specific aspect of the credit.
“The tax credit is made fully available to all low-income and middle-class families.”**
Total Favorable/Unfavorable 82-12
Independent Favorable/Unfavorable 80-12
Republican Favorable/Unfavorable 77-17
White Voter Favorable/Unfavorable 81-13
Black Voter Favorable/Unfavorable 83-7
Hispanic Voter Favorable/Unfavorable 90-7