New Poll: Red State Voters Oppose Eliminating Vaccine Requirements by Wide Margins
WASHINGTON, DC – Voters in four red states spanning different geographic regions of the United States oppose eliminating vaccine mandates in their respective states by wide margins, according to a new poll commissioned by the Center for Individual Freedom (CFIF) and conducted by the polling firm Cygnal.
The poll was conducted as the public debate over vaccines has intensified nationwide and on the heels of Florida moving toward becoming the only state in the nation to eliminate all vaccine requirements.
According to the poll, roughly two-thirds of voters in Arkansas (63%), Louisiana (64%), Kansas (71%) and Oklahoma (67%) oppose their states adopting a policy to eliminate all vaccine requirements, including a significant majority of well over 50% of voters in each state who stronglyoppose such a policy. Just 21% of voters support eliminating vaccine mandates in all of those states except Louisiana, where 24% of voters support such a policy.
Similarly, roughly two-thirds of voters in Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma believe childhood vaccines provide significant benefits and are essential – more than double the number who believe vaccines may offer some benefits but are concerned about potential risks and side effects (24%, 29% and 27%, respectively). In Kansas, 72% of voters believe childhood vaccines provide significant benefits and are essential, compared to only 22% who believe vaccines may offer some benefits but are concerned about potential risks and side effects.
Also by wide margins, voters in all four states would be less likely to support their state legislator if he or she supported plans to end all vaccine requirements statewide – Arkansas (67%, including 58% who would be much less likely); Louisiana (68%, including 58% who would bemuch less likely); Kansas (70%, including 62% who would be much less likely); Oklahoma (70%, including 61% who would be much less likely).
Also of note, voters in each state overwhelmingly support widespread access to vaccines. More than 80% of voters support policies that ensure vaccines are easily available at local pharmacies and fully covered by insurance – Arkansas (86%), Louisiana (83%), Kansas (87%), Oklahoma (89%). Voters are equally as supportive of efforts to increase access and insurance coverage for vaccines so that all children can meet school vaccination requirements – Arkansas (82%), Louisiana (80%), Kansas (83%), Oklahoma (86%).
There is near-universal agreement that the process for approving vaccines should be grounded in scientific evidence and designed to support innovation that protects individuals and families (Arkansas - 83%, Louisiana – 80%, Kansas – 85%, Oklahoma – 86%) and that vaccine recommendations should be guided by physicians, scientists, and public health experts trained to evaluate vaccine risks and benefits (Arkansas – 79%, Louisiana – 76%, Kansas – 80%, Oklahoma – 80%).
The survey in Arkansas was conducted September 25 – 27, 2025. The survey in Kansas was conducted September 25 – 28, 2025. The survey in Oklahoma was conducted September 26 – 27, 2025. 500 likely general election voters were surveyed in each of those three states, and each of the surveys has a margin of error of ±4.37%. The survey for Louisiana was conducted September 25 – 27, 2025, with 515 likely general election voters and has a margin of error of ±4.30%. Known registered voters in all four states were interviewed via online panel and SMS. The surveys were weighted to a likely general election voter universe.
Read the combined state polling memo here.
Read the polling memo for Arkansas here and see the slide deck for Arkansas here.
Read the polling memo for Louisiana here and see the slide deck for Louisiana here.
Read the polling memo for Kansas here and see the slide deck for Kansas here.
Read the polling memo for Oklahoma here and see the slide deck for Oklahoma here.
