Daniel Gotoff April 28, 2016 Lake Research Partners Washington, DC | Berkeley, CA | New York, NY LakeResearch.com Summary of Findings from Focus Groups and a Dial Survey on Disparate Impact

Methodology 2 Focus groups in Cleveland, Phoenix, Atlanta across racial groups. Online dial survey among 1000 registered voters nationwide with oversamples:  100 African Americans  100 African American women under 200% FPL  100 Latinos  100 Latina women under 200% FPL  71 civil rights activists

Defining Base, Opposition, and Persuasion 3 Base (17% of Registered Voters): Strongly cluster around values of opportunity, the need to end discrimination, and that every person should have the opportunity to find the best housing that works for them. They tend to be women, Democrats, and African Americans.

Defining Base, Opposition, and Persuasion 4 Opposition (11% of Registered Voters): Strongly cluster around values of hard work and determination, and that the government does not have the ability to give every American an equal chance at success. They tend to be older, white, men, and Republicans.

Defining Base, Opposition, and Persuasion 5 Persuasion (72% of Registered Voters): Values more closely reflect those of the total population. Their demographics closely reflect the national electorate.

Context: Perceptions of Discrimination

7 Racial Discrimination Gender Discrimination Single Mothers Discrimination Racial discrimination seen as a more serious problem relative to gender discrimination or discrimination against single mothers. How serious of a problem do you think this is today in America – very serious, somewhat serious, a little serious, or not a problem at all? Not at all Serious A Little Serious Very Serious Somewhat Serious

8 Racial Discrimination: narrow majority say has not changed OR gotten worse Gender Discrimination: majority say has gotten better. Racial Discrimination Gender Discrimination Gotten better Gotten worse Stayed the same Over the past 20 years, do you think […] as a problem has: gotten worse, gotten better, or stayed about the same?

9 Racial discrimination seen mainly as a problem in criminal justice. Housing is seen as a relatively less serious problem. Very Serious Problem (10) Serious Problem (8-9) Racial Discrimination Gender Discrimination Please indicate how serious of a problem you think […]is for each of the following areas on a scale of 0 to 10 where 0 means not a problem at all, and 10 means a very serious problem.

10 Voters strongly favor disparate impact. However, providing them with an example decreases support and increases opposition. Do you favor or oppose making a policy illegal if it seriously disadvantages one gender, racial, religious or ethnic group, families with children, or people with disabilities unless there is an important justification for the policy? …For example, some banks require proof of continuous employment in order to get a mortgage. That policy might unintentionally exclude pregnant women who take maternity leave, but have the resources to pay a mortgage…. Strongly oppose Not so strongly oppose Strongly Favor Not so strongly favor Under current law, if an employment or housing policy seriously disadvantages one gender, racial, religious or ethnic group, families with children, or people with disabilities, that policy is illegal unless there is an important justification for the policy…

11 Strong majorities say the intent of a policy is important in considering whether it is legal or discriminatory. Even stronger majorities say the effects of a policy are important. How important do you think the intent of the policy should be in considering if it should be legal or not? How important do you think the intent of the policy should be in considering if it is discriminatory or not? Not at all important A little important Very important Somewhat important How important do you think the effects of the policy should be in considering if it is illegal or not? How important do you think the effects of the policy should be in considering if it is discriminatory or not?

Message Dials

Opposition – Move On 13 too often today people cry discrimination that we are not proud of like slavery make discrimination illegal, because we know it is wrong people need to take personal responsibility people like to live near people who are like themselves

14 Of the following, which do you think is the largest barrier for [people]/[people living in underserved communities] to make a better life for themselves? Say “people living in underserved communities” to undercut conservative frame of personal responsibility.

Protects Us All 15 life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness holding people back freedom from discrimination, even if that discrimination is subtle all of us have been part of a family with kids, some are single parents, and many of us will face disabilities as we age

Networks of Opportunity 16 keep minorities outside of these opportunities good parks and recreation, jobs, and hospitals but still today, too many people are kept out of networks of opportunity regardless of the zip code they are born in

Progress, Knocking Down Barriers 17 barriers still exist that prevent people from fulfilling their potential we ended slavery, extended voting rights to all quality schools, good jobs a strong and effective Fair Housing Act we must strive to work for an America where everyone has the chance

Messaging Recommendations People 18 Talk about people in underserved communities to undercut need for personal responsibility. Reference “zip code” when talking about racial inequality, as it serves as an effective proxy. XDon’t talk about stereotypes that remain “subtly” or “sometimes.” Don’t excuse discrimination by saying it is unintentional. Assert that discrimination is a barrier that exists.

Messaging Recommendations Discrimination and Opportunity 19 Talk about opportunity, especially for children. Call to end discrimination that exists. Talk about discrimination as a barrier to progress, and a barrier to opportunity. Asserting our history as one of progress is weak with our activists. Any positive reference to historical efforts falls flat with activists. They prefer language that asserts values: “diversity as our strength,” or “every child deserves an equal opportunity.”

Messaging Recommendations Policy and Action 20 Define the barrier of discrimination by defining what opportunity means in the lives of people – quality schools, good jobs, public transportation, housing, parks and recreation. Talk about dismantling patterns of segregation and discrimination. It is a call to action for base voters and activists, alienates opposition voters, and fits the discrimination-as- barrier narrative. Talk about effects in real lived experiences. XDon’t talk about the Fair Housing Act as holding us to better standards, position it as making sure everyone has the opportunity for a place to call home.

Daniel Gotoff Washington, DC | Berkeley, CA | New York, NY LakeResearch.com