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Do energy issues matter when it comes to how we vote? It depends. For some Americans, energy is the most significant factor that influences the way a ballot is cast. To others, it takes a back seat to pressing social and security issues. Still, we know Americans are paying attention to energy. According to the Spring 2014 wave of the UT Energy Poll, a majority of Americans - 63% - say energy issues are important to them, including 69% of Democrats and 57% of Republicans.
So what sways us in one direction or the other? Sixty-four percent say they are more likely to support a candidate who would like to expand financial incentives for companies engaged in renewable technologies. By party affiliation, the numbers look like this:
In the past, I've written about the significance of improving energy efficiency and expanding renewable technologies if we are to meet the needs of a growing global population that increasingly has access to energy-intensive technologies like cars and cell phones and laptops. While Democratic voters appear to be most focused on creating incentives for the expansion of renewables, it's a favorable position for all candidates regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum.