The Utah Foundation’s research brief on homelessness is meant, in part, to help voters better understand the issues. First, it is important to note that the term “homeless” can refer to either situational or chronic realities facing individuals or families in the state. Those who are situationally homeless may be unable to find affordable housing, may be experiencing economic instability generated by job loss or health issues, or may be escaping domestic violence. In contrast, … Continued

Utah voters consider immigration of medium importance, but the 2024 Utah Priorities Project showed large differences among demographic groups. Almost 9% of Utahns were born in a foreign country. About 42% of those individuals are naturalized citizens, and around 40% are estimated to be unauthorized immigrants. Utah policy toward immigrants has fluctuated over time, but recent programs seem welcoming. This may be due in part to the fact that Utah immigrants play an outsized role … Continued

Voters need nonpartisan information to make informed decisions about hotly debated issues. The Utah Foundation report, On the Ballot: Constitutional Amendments, November 5, 2024, analyzes the four 2024 constitutional amendments. The report’s purpose is to inform voters of the substance of the amendments. The Utah Foundation – a nonpartisan, independent public policy research organization – takes no positions on any of them. Two amendments stand out as the most contentious. One of them, Amendment D, … Continued

Taxes and government spending was an important issue to voters in the 2024 Utah Priorities Project survey. Preferences varied by gender, income, and political affiliation. For instance, women prefer to fund education and health care with hypothetical windfall funds. In another question, conservatives and liberals have drastically different views regarding the effectiveness of government.

Air quality was ranked as important in the 2024 Utah Priorities Survey. Those most concerned about air quality were higher-income voters, voters with graduate degrees, and liberal voters. A 2023 statewide poll identified that close to 60% of respondents support strengthening environmental regulations in the U.S., and over 75% indicated that protecting the environment should be more important than economic growth. However, many Utah Priorities Project survey respondents expressed an unwillingness to improve air quality … Continued

Following the pandemic, K-12 education became a top-three concern in the Utah Priorities Project. At the time, concern was partially driven by the economic needs of working parents, health risks, and educational challenges. In the 2024 Project, K-12 education has dropped to seventh place. When considering the quality of Utah’s schools, 44% of voters agree that “public schools offer all kids access to an education that will allow them to succeed,” while 42% disagree. When … Continued