Don't Mess With Taxes

Most of us won't vote on tax-related ballot initiatives today, but taxes still will guide our choices, according to a recent poll.

Public Opinion Strategies' (POS) national pre-election survey found that tax reform is a major concern for most voters.

Overall, the Alexandria, Virginia-based political and public affairs research firm found that economic issues will be a deciding factor in how people vote today.

Nearly all voters (96 percent) say economic issues are important to their vote. Almost three-quarters (74 percent) classify economic issues as "extremely" or "very important" in determining how they will cast their ballots.

That sentiment was expressed by a solid majority of Democratic, Republican and Independent respondents.

Narrowing the economic issue down a bit, taxes also are getting a lot of voter attention.

POS pollsters asked the 800 likely voters it talked to via telephone between Oct. 30 and Nov. 2 to rank seven different options Congress could consider to help create jobs and improve the economy.

Simplifying the tax code won. More understandable, accessible tax laws were supported by more than eight out of 10 voters, with 62 percent strongly favoring a tax law revamp.

Cutting federal spending came in second with 74 percent overall approval.

Do these findings mesh with your Election Day and federal legislative concerns?