Recent Polling Finds Americans Favor D.C. Statehood

As the effort to end the disenfranchisement of 700,000 Americans is becoming better-known across the country, it is important to know where the American people stand on the issue of D.C. statehood. Recent events have made clear how urgent the need for D.C. statehood is. In June 2020, the Trump Administration ordered the tear-gassing of peaceful protesters, and then in January 2021, President Trump initially denied the request to deploy D.C.’s National Guard during the assault on the Capitol. The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 51 to make D.C. the 51st state on April 22, 2021.

Five different pollsters have conducted nationally representative surveys with conventional wording on D.C. statehood in the past year. All have found more Americans favor than oppose statehood for Washington, D.C. There is also evidence that support for D.C. statehood has increased over time. These surveys were each conducted by well-known polling organizations. They all used clear--but different--wording, increasing confidence that Americans’ views are reflected accurately in the results. D.C. residents themselves voted in favor of statehood, with 86% in support, in a 2016 referendum.

Recent Polling on D.C. Statehood

Notes: Lake Research asked “Do You Support Or Oppose Granting Statehood, Including Full Representation In Congress, For Residents Of Washington, D.C.?” The New York Times/Siena College asked “Tell me whether you support or oppose each of the following - Statehood for Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.” Morning Consult/Politico asked “On another topic… Generally speaking do you support or oppose Congress granting statehood to Washington, DC?” Data for Progress asked “Would you support or oppose granting statehood to the more than 714,000 people who live in Washington, D.C., so they can elect voting Senators and Representatives, just like Americans in every other state?” UMass Amherst asked “Do you support or oppose granting statehood to Washington, D.C.?” Lake Research fielded Aug. 10-14, 2020. New York Times/Siena College fielded Sept. 22-24, 2020. Data for Progress fielded Feb. 19-22, 2021. Morning Consult/Politico fielded April 16-19, 2021. UMass Amherst fielded April 21-23, 2021.

It is worth noting that one outdated survey conducted prior to 2020 used unusual and confusing question wording about making D.C. “a separate state” and found a different result. That language does not accurately describe the recent legislation to grant D.C. statehood, since the bill would grant D.C. representation and autonomy but not make D.C. more “separate” than it is today. But considering there have been five respected pollsters that have conducted surveys since then with straightforward language, it is safe to conclude this outlying result is not representative of public opinion. Another survey fielded early in 2021 but prefaced their question by inaccurately claiming that the constitution designates Washington, D.C. as a federal district and not a state, even though the constitution actually requires only that there be a seat of government, but does not mention Washington, D.C. by name. Unsurprisingly, this survey also found a different result.

As journalists cover D.C. statehood and elected officials consider this issue, they should know what the public thinks. Recent polling is clear--Americans favor statehood for D.C.