(The Center Square) – A new report says rural Wisconsin voters are more conservative than voters in Milwaukee and Madison, but they are not monolithically red.
The Institute for Reforming Government on Tuesday released its look at rural voters in the state called What Wisconsin Wants.
“IRG is dedicated to developing policy reforms and engaging communities to give all Wisconsinites an opportunity to succeed and prosper. Some findings we expected, but others educate and inform as we move past stereotypes and help ensure Wisconsin’s best days are still to come for all of Wisconsin,” the report begins. “The issues identified by rural voters are what policy makers should work to solve as they get to work next January. These reports give a nonpartisan roadmap for those just elected to follow if they want to tackle the issues that matter to rural Wisconsinites.”
The report makes the case that rural Wisconsin voters want lower taxes, more jobs, safer neighborhoods and to keep their guns rights.
“[Rural voters have] a desire for less government, more economic opportunity, and freedom to pursue the life they seek,” the report adds. “Practically speaking that means less taxes for the government and less regulation enacted by the government. It means a government that is focused on more core duties like public safety, education and ensuring the poorest have a safety net. It means a strong desire for economic opportunity. And perhaps contrary to what we may stereotypically think, it means rural voters are open to legalizing cannabis and want the freedom to make personal decisions even on issues like abortion.”
The report says reducing crime is the most important issue for rural voters. Followed closely by property tax cuts and better roads. The study also shows strong support for protecting the environment, eliminating Wisconsin’s personal income tax, protecting gun rights and creating better jobs.
IRG and the State Policy Network prepared the report after speaking with 15 rural voters in the state in late April and early May.
“One goal of this study was to understand the nuance of voters in counties where 70%+ agree on the same candidate in elections. While all parts of the state have a mix of partisans and ideological perspectives, including strong Democrats and liberals, in this small-scale study including people who strongly identify with left of center ideals is not an ideal way to understand the ‘rural conservative bloc.’ Voters who identified as moderates, independents, not-so-strong Democrats, and lean Democrat were included in the sample,” the authors added.
“Rural Wisconsin voters are conservative, as their voting patterns indicate, but that does not mean they are in favor of all Republican or free-market policies or ideas. There is a nuance to the views of most rural Wisconsin voters,” the report states in its conclusion. “Ultimately, they want government to improve the quality of their life, and they are not seeing that happen. While voters may be committed to a particular party, they will shift on policy to where they see the most effective solutions.”