We asked NBC Connecticut viewers about their thoughts and feelings as they head to the polls. The findings reveal that voters are grappling with key policy issues, navigating a range of emotions and preparing to make their voices heard.

Through a series of charts, we explore who is voting, why and which issues matter most. From generational divides to social media influence, these charts shed light on what shapes your collective vote.

What drives you to the polls?

An overwhelming 98% of respondents plan to vote. well above the national participation rate of 67% in 2020 and 60% in 2016. When asked why they vote, survey participants cited a variety of reasons, ranging from civic duty to specific policy concerns.

Issues that influence your vote

When asked to choose the most important issue influencing their vote, 39% of respondents cited abortion and reproductive rights. Climate change comes in second at 21%, followed by crime and criminal justice at 12%.

What do you think about Election Day?

Elections are not just about policies and candidates: they are also about emotions. We asked you to describe your feelings about the upcoming election in one word.

Anxiety dominates voter sentiment at 34%, followed by fear at 17%.

However, a quarter of those surveyed remain hopeful.

Information overload

The way we consume news and information can have a significant impact on our political opinions.

How much time do voters spend following the news? Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed devote more than three hours per week to political news. Most spend between 5 and 10 hours consuming news (27%), followed closely by heavy consumers who spend more than 10 hours (23%). Very few (6%) devote less than an hour each week to political news.

On social media, most users see limited political content, with more than three-quarters seeing politics in less than half of their feeds.

Where are you located?

Enough about everyone. Let’s talk about you.

How do your own voting attitudes and behaviors fit into the broader context? Answer a brief series of questions to discover your unique voter profile. We will create a personalized mosaic that captures your political priorities, motivations and perspectives.

Each mosaic tile is made up of several key elements:

THE general model shows your driving force – whether it’s health care, education or economic policy.

THE exterior shape reflects your voting plans.

THE inner shape captures why you vote (or choose not to) – from civic duty to the desire for change.

That of your mosaic colors capture your feeling about the voting process, from hope to fear.

Together, these elements create your unique tile. You’ll also discover which voter personality best suits you, based on common motivation and behavior patterns we identified in our survey responses.

Quiz responses are anonymous and will not be recorded or stored in any way.

Ready to get started?

Methodological note: This survey was conducted online from October 11, 2024 to October 26, 2024 with 128 respondents. Readers should note that online polls may not fully reflect the views of the entire electorate.