Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #28047
 
Two Years Later, Half in NC Dissatisfied With Government Handling of Hurricane Helene Impacts; Majority Says Iryna's Law Increased Safety;
Pluralities Oppose ICE Arrests for Illegal Status Alone, Want Focus on Those With Convictions; Majority Say Sex at Birth Should Set School Teams:

The latest exclusive results from SurveyUSA's WRAL/WSOC Poll asked adults across the state to weigh in on multiple topics.

On Hurricane Helene, in a question first asked by SurveyUSA two years ago, 50% now say they are dissatisfied with how the government has handled the response to Hurricane Helene's impacts in western North Carolina, with 27% somewhat dissatisfied and 23% very dissatisfied. 37% say they are satisfied (9% very, 28% somewhat). Subtracting dissatisfaction from satisfaction produces Net Satisfaction, at -13 overall and at its lowest among those in Western NC (-31) and those who were personally impacted by the storm (-32). In 2024's polling, Net Satisfaction was +2 overall.

The state's bail guidelines for suspected violent offenders receive a net approval of -3, with 27% approving of the guidelines (6% strongly, 21% somewhat) and 30% disapproving (16% somewhat, 14% strongly), while a large plurality of 43% say they are not sure. But when informed of the changes to the guidelines made via Iryna's Law in the wake of a deadly stabbing on Charlotte's light rail, a majority of 53% say those changes have made their community much safer (16%) or somewhat safer (37%), while 40% say the new law has made no difference and just 7% say it has made their community less safe.

On immigration enforcement, 47% say they oppose federal immigration authorities taking people into custody solely because they are in the United States illegally, even if they have not been charged with or convicted of another crime, with 29% strongly opposed and 18% somewhat opposed; 39% say they support this (20% strongly support, 19% somewhat support). Overall, Net Support is -8. Support is highest (+59) among very conservative respondents, lowest (-63) among 2024 Harris voters.

When asked which approach they think federal immigration authorities should use to prioritize enforcement, a 32% plurality says the focus should primarily be on people convicted of violent or other serious crimes, including 49% of liberals, 48% of Latinos, and 47% of likely voters for Roy Cooper. 21% want the focus primarily on people charged with violent or other serious crimes, even if they have not been convicted, including a high of 32% among somewhat conservative respondents. 23% say the authorities should enforce immigration laws against anyone known to be in the country illegally, regardless of criminal history, including 42% of very conservative respondents and 39% of Whatley voters. Another 11% say immigration authorities should generally not take people into custody solely because they are in the country illegally, including 26% of very liberal respondents.

54% of adults statewide say students should participate on boys' or girls' sports teams based on their sex at birth, including ¾ of Whatley voters, Republicans, conservatives, and Trump voters. 14% say students should participate based on their current gender identity, including a high of 34% among very liberal respondents. 18% say eligibility should be determined individually using factors such as age, sport, and stage of physical development, including 36% of somewhat liberal respondents and 30% of Democrats.

Fully crosstabbed results follow...
 
About the Research / Filtering: SurveyUSA interviewed 900 North Carolina adults 10/07/26 through 10/11/26. This research was conducted online, using nonprobability sample of online adult panelists chosen randomly by Lucid Holdings LLC of New Orleans. The combined pool of survey respondents was weighted to US Census ACS targets for gender, age, race, education, and home ownership, and to North Carolina party affiliation data.
 
Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with how the government has handled the response to Hurricane Helene's impacts in western North Carolina?
900 AdultsAllGenderAge<50 / 50+RaceLikelySenate VoteParentParty AffiliationIdeologyIdeology Aggregated2024 VoteVoting MethodOwn GunHelene Impacted?EducationIncomeHomeUrbanicityRegion
Credibility Interval: ± 4.2 pct pointsMaleFemale18-3435-4950-6465+18-4950+WhiteBlackHispanicAsian / Already CertainProbableWhatleyCooperYesNoRepublicDemocratIndependVery ConSmw. ConModerateSmw. LibVery LibConservaModerateLiberalTrumpHarrisMailEarly InElectionYesNoYesNoHigh SchSome Col4-Year C< $40K$40K - $> $80KOwnRentUrbanSuburbanRuralWestern CharlottGreensboRaleigh Southern
Very Satisfied9%11%7%11%7%9%7%9%8%7%12%3%17%**8%3%9%8%9%9%12%11%3%12%7%5%9%21%9%5%15%10%9%18%7%7%7%10%7%9%10%7%9%11%5%10%9%8%14%8%7%5%7%10%9%10%
Somewhat Satisfied28%30%27%26%34%26%28%30%27%25%33%35%35%**30%30%29%30%32%27%28%30%28%27%28%31%31%22%28%31%27%28%32%29%29%30%30%28%24%30%25%28%32%27%25%34%31%23%32%27%29%27%27%32%28%28%
Somewhat Dissatisfied27%27%27%30%20%34%24%25%30%31%22%24%11%**28%32%27%30%27%27%28%27%29%21%38%27%34%22%31%27%28%29%27%17%28%32%30%25%29%27%24%28%30%23%32%28%27%27%22%27%30%31%24%26%26%33%
Very Dissatisfied23%22%24%17%24%21%31%20%26%25%18%24%18%**26%21%28%24%20%24%24%22%22%30%19%21%16%29%23%21%22%24%22%29%25%23%23%24%34%21%25%23%20%23%25%19%22%24%23%23%22%32%29%20%21%17%
Not Sure13%10%15%16%15%10%9%16%10%11%15%14%19%**8%14%6%9%11%13%9%10%18%11%8%16%10%7%9%16%8%9%10%7%11%8%10%14%5%14%16%14%8%16%12%10%10%18%9%16%11%5%12%12%16%13%
Total100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%
Composition of Adults100%48%52%29%24%25%21%53%47%64%20%8%8%5%60%18%40%54%30%68%34%33%28%14%18%36%12%12%32%36%24%39%38%12%51%36%40%56%16%82%35%33%33%38%33%28%66%34%17%45%38%8%23%23%28%18%
 
2Overall, do you approve or disapprove of North Carolina's bail guidelines for suspected violent offenders?
900 AdultsAllGenderAge<50 / 50+RaceLikelySenate VoteParentParty AffiliationIdeologyIdeology Aggregated2024 VoteVoting MethodOwn GunHelene Impacted?EducationIncomeHomeUrbanicityRegion
Credibility Interval: ± 4.2 pct pointsMaleFemale18-3435-4950-6465+18-4950+WhiteBlackHispanicAsian / Already CertainProbableWhatleyCooperYesNoRepublicDemocratIndependVery ConSmw. ConModerateSmw. LibVery LibConservaModerateLiberalTrumpHarrisMailEarly InElectionYesNoYesNoHigh SchSome Col4-Year C< $40K$40K - $> $80KOwnRentUrbanSuburbanRuralWestern CharlottGreensboRaleigh Southern
Strongly Approve6%7%4%10%6%4%2%8%3%5%9%7%3%**4%6%5%5%9%4%7%5%5%9%4%4%7%9%6%4%8%6%5%9%3%7%6%5%9%5%6%6%5%7%4%6%5%7%8%6%4%9%4%4%5%9%
Somewhat Approve21%25%18%25%19%23%17%23%20%21%22%32%10%**24%25%26%23%23%21%26%22%18%21%23%23%22%23%22%23%23%26%22%21%26%24%21%22%18%22%21%19%24%18%25%22%21%22%30%20%19%19%23%21%20%23%
Somewhat Disapprove16%12%20%24%16%12%12%20%12%16%17%11%23%**15%18%15%16%22%14%15%18%16%14%17%17%21%11%16%17%16%17%16%12%16%14%22%13%20%16%15%18%16%12%17%21%17%15%15%16%18%22%17%12%20%14%
Strongly Disapprove14%15%12%12%13%17%12%13%15%14%12%8%20%**14%16%20%9%11%15%19%12%11%20%14%12%7%22%17%12%14%17%11%6%14%16%13%14%14%14%13%12%16%14%11%16%13%15%16%13%13%11%16%12%13%15%
Not Sure43%41%45%28%46%44%58%36%51%43%41%43%45%**44%35%34%47%35%47%33%44%50%35%42%44%44%36%39%44%40%34%45%52%41%39%38%46%39%43%44%45%40%49%43%35%44%41%30%45%46%40%39%52%42%40%
Total100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%
Composition of Adults100%48%52%29%24%25%21%53%47%64%20%8%8%5%60%18%40%54%30%68%34%33%28%14%18%36%12%12%32%36%24%39%38%12%51%36%40%56%16%82%35%33%33%38%33%28%66%34%17%45%38%8%23%23%28%18%
 
3After a deadly stabbing on Charlotte's light rail, North Carolina lawmakers passed Iryna's Law, eliminating cashless bail for violent crimes and mandating mental health evaluations for dangerous suspects. Do you think this law has made your community safer, less safe or made no difference?
900 AdultsAllGenderAge<50 / 50+RaceLikelySenate VoteParentParty AffiliationIdeologyIdeology Aggregated2024 VoteVoting MethodOwn GunHelene Impacted?EducationIncomeHomeUrbanicityRegion
Credibility Interval: ± 4.2 pct pointsMaleFemale18-3435-4950-6465+18-4950+WhiteBlackHispanicAsian / Already CertainProbableWhatleyCooperYesNoRepublicDemocratIndependVery ConSmw. ConModerateSmw. LibVery LibConservaModerateLiberalTrumpHarrisMailEarly InElectionYesNoYesNoHigh SchSome Col4-Year C< $40K$40K - $> $80KOwnRentUrbanSuburbanRuralWestern CharlottGreensboRaleigh Southern
Much Safer16%19%13%20%21%13%8%20%10%13%17%23%26%**13%12%15%12%18%15%20%13%11%26%15%10%11%24%20%10%17%19%12%20%11%15%15%17%13%16%17%18%11%19%12%15%13%20%16%16%15%16%14%15%17%16%
Somewhat Safer37%36%37%39%33%36%37%36%37%39%30%41%26%**41%39%45%37%39%35%38%36%39%36%39%40%37%31%38%40%34%40%37%33%43%37%41%35%47%35%29%37%44%31%39%41%39%32%38%35%38%45%41%28%36%39%
No Difference40%40%41%33%40%44%46%36%45%40%47%30%38%**40%39%30%46%38%42%33%44%43%29%40%42%45%41%36%42%43%33%45%36%37%42%36%43%33%42%44%40%36%42%42%36%41%40%37%41%41%35%36%49%41%36%
Somewhat Less Safe3%2%5%2%3%4%4%3%4%3%2%3%9%**3%8%6%2%2%3%4%4%3%3%2%3%6%3%2%3%4%4%3%8%6%1%5%2%4%3%5%2%4%3%4%4%3%4%4%3%3%1%4%4%2%5%
Much Less Safe4%3%5%5%3%3%5%4%4%5%3%4%1%**4%2%4%2%3%4%4%3%4%5%4%4%2%1%5%4%1%4%3%2%2%4%4%3%3%4%4%3%5%6%2%4%4%5%5%4%3%3%5%4%4%3%
Total100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%
Composition of Adults100%48%52%29%24%25%21%53%47%64%20%8%8%5%60%18%40%54%30%68%34%33%28%14%18%36%12%12%32%36%24%39%38%12%51%36%40%56%16%82%35%33%33%38%33%28%66%34%17%45%38%8%23%23%28%18%
 
4Do you support or oppose federal immigration authorities taking people into custody solely because they are in the United States illegally, even if they have not been charged with or convicted of another crime?
900 AdultsAllGenderAge<50 / 50+RaceLikelySenate VoteParentParty AffiliationIdeologyIdeology Aggregated2024 VoteVoting MethodOwn GunHelene Impacted?EducationIncomeHomeUrbanicityRegion
Credibility Interval: ± 4.2 pct pointsMaleFemale18-3435-4950-6465+18-4950+WhiteBlackHispanicAsian / Already CertainProbableWhatleyCooperYesNoRepublicDemocratIndependVery ConSmw. ConModerateSmw. LibVery LibConservaModerateLiberalTrumpHarrisMailEarly InElectionYesNoYesNoHigh SchSome Col4-Year C< $40K$40K - $> $80KOwnRentUrbanSuburbanRuralWestern CharlottGreensboRaleigh Southern
Strongly Support20%26%16%13%12%29%31%13%30%26%7%4%26%**23%12%45%4%14%23%44%4%14%52%39%9%9%12%44%9%10%41%4%25%20%24%30%14%23%20%20%22%19%19%22%21%22%17%17%16%27%31%26%18%15%22%
Somewhat Support19%20%18%21%21%19%13%21%16%20%14%37%5%**18%21%27%12%21%18%27%13%19%21%26%21%13%10%24%21%12%29%11%7%21%19%20%19%12%21%20%16%21%19%15%24%19%19%19%17%22%17%17%14%23%23%
Somewhat Oppose18%19%18%21%20%15%15%21%15%16%23%19%21%**15%32%12%25%23%16%11%20%27%4%17%26%22%12%11%26%17%12%24%13%18%21%14%21%22%17%12%21%21%15%21%20%18%18%27%18%15%14%21%21%16%16%
Strongly Oppose29%23%34%29%33%26%26%31%26%26%35%29%36%**35%19%6%53%31%28%9%55%22%10%9%28%53%59%10%28%56%8%54%40%34%27%24%33%32%29%27%27%33%26%32%29%30%27%25%33%25%29%25%28%35%25%
Not Sure14%12%15%16%13%11%15%14%13%12%22%11%12%**8%14%10%6%11%15%10%9%19%13%9%15%3%7%10%15%5%10%7%14%7%9%12%14%10%14%20%14%6%21%11%7%11%19%12%16%11%10%11%19%12%14%
Total100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%
Composition of Adults100%48%52%29%24%25%21%53%47%64%20%8%8%5%60%18%40%54%30%68%34%33%28%14%18%36%12%12%32%36%24%39%38%12%51%36%40%56%16%82%35%33%33%38%33%28%66%34%17%45%38%8%23%23%28%18%
 
5Which of the following comes closest to your view about how federal immigration authorities should prioritize enforcement involving immigrants who are in the United States illegally? Focus primarily on people convicted of violent or other serious crimes? Focus primarily on people charged with violent or other serious crimes, even if they have not been convicted? Enforce immigration laws against anyone known to be in the country illegally, regardless of criminal history? Or immigration authorities should generally not take people into custody solely because they are in the country illegally?
900 AdultsAllGenderAge<50 / 50+RaceLikelySenate VoteParentParty AffiliationIdeologyIdeology Aggregated2024 VoteVoting MethodOwn GunHelene Impacted?EducationIncomeHomeUrbanicityRegion
Credibility Interval: ± 4.2 pct pointsMaleFemale18-3435-4950-6465+18-4950+WhiteBlackHispanicAsian / Already CertainProbableWhatleyCooperYesNoRepublicDemocratIndependVery ConSmw. ConModerateSmw. LibVery LibConservaModerateLiberalTrumpHarrisMailEarly InElectionYesNoYesNoHigh SchSome Col4-Year C< $40K$40K - $> $80KOwnRentUrbanSuburbanRuralWestern CharlottGreensboRaleigh Southern
Focus On Those Convicted Of Serious Crimes32%30%33%30%33%32%32%31%32%28%34%48%34%**37%26%18%47%34%31%23%44%31%17%14%38%49%48%15%38%49%25%43%43%32%35%27%36%31%32%28%33%34%32%33%29%33%30%30%34%30%18%31%33%35%31%
Focus On Those Charged With Serious Crimes21%22%20%22%23%19%19%23%19%20%23%22%21%**19%28%29%16%22%21%28%16%20%25%32%20%20%11%29%20%16%26%17%15%21%23%20%22%22%20%16%23%24%19%17%29%20%24%30%18%20%20%24%20%20%20%
Enforce On All Regardless Of Criminal History23%26%20%19%19%28%26%19%27%29%14%7%14%**24%23%39%12%21%23%35%12%23%42%38%19%13%8%40%19%11%37%11%14%25%26%32%16%27%22%26%21%21%20%27%22%24%20%20%20%28%33%27%18%21%23%
Not Take People Into Custody Because Of Status11%10%13%14%11%11%8%12%10%12%10%10%10%**11%9%3%17%13%11%4%19%9%2%6%10%14%26%4%10%20%3%20%12%13%9%10%12%12%11%11%9%14%10%11%13%11%11%9%13%9%18%8%10%12%13%
Not Sure13%12%14%15%14%10%15%15%12%10%20%14%21%**8%14%11%8%10%15%9%9%17%14%11%13%3%7%12%13%5%9%9%16%9%8%12%14%8%14%18%14%7%19%12%8%12%15%11%15%13%11%10%19%13%13%
Total100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%
Composition of Adults100%48%52%29%24%25%21%53%47%64%20%8%8%5%60%18%40%54%30%68%34%33%28%14%18%36%12%12%32%36%24%39%38%12%51%36%40%56%16%82%35%33%33%38%33%28%66%34%17%45%38%8%23%23%28%18%
 
6When schools determine whether transgender students may participate on boys' or girls' sports teams, which policy do you believe they should follow? Students should participate based on their sex at birth? Students should participate based on their current gender identity? Or eligibility should be determined individually using factors such as age, sport and stage of physical development?
900 AdultsAllGenderAge<50 / 50+RaceLikelySenate VoteParentParty AffiliationIdeologyIdeology Aggregated2024 VoteVoting MethodOwn GunHelene Impacted?EducationIncomeHomeUrbanicityRegion
Credibility Interval: ± 4.2 pct pointsMaleFemale18-3435-4950-6465+18-4950+WhiteBlackHispanicAsian / Already CertainProbableWhatleyCooperYesNoRepublicDemocratIndependVery ConSmw. ConModerateSmw. LibVery LibConservaModerateLiberalTrumpHarrisMailEarly InElectionYesNoYesNoHigh SchSome Col4-Year C< $40K$40K - $> $80KOwnRentUrbanSuburbanRuralWestern CharlottGreensboRaleigh Southern
Based On Their Sex At Birth54%58%51%43%54%60%63%48%62%58%44%50%54%**57%61%77%43%52%55%75%35%52%73%77%56%33%26%76%56%30%76%39%44%62%58%64%49%52%55%52%56%55%44%54%68%59%45%54%50%59%56%56%49%54%60%
Based On Their Current Gender Identity14%14%14%22%10%12%9%17%10%15%13%12%12%**14%6%8%16%16%13%11%20%10%9%13%9%15%34%11%9%24%9%18%17%11%12%12%15%19%13%16%10%15%17%10%14%13%15%17%13%13%23%15%9%15%12%
Determined Individually18%16%20%20%20%14%16%20%15%16%20%21%26%**18%20%8%28%23%16%7%30%19%6%6%20%36%24%6%20%30%7%29%20%16%21%16%19%16%18%15%20%19%17%22%14%17%20%16%19%17%15%16%22%19%16%
Not Sure14%13%15%14%16%14%12%15%13%11%23%18%8%**11%12%7%13%9%16%7%15%19%11%4%15%16%16%7%15%16%8%14%20%10%10%8%17%13%14%17%14%11%22%13%4%11%20%13%18%10%7%14%20%13%12%
Total100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%100%
Composition of Adults100%48%52%29%24%25%21%53%47%64%20%8%8%5%60%18%40%54%30%68%34%33%28%14%18%36%12%12%32%36%24%39%38%12%51%36%40%56%16%82%35%33%33%38%33%28%66%34%17%45%38%8%23%23%28%18%
 
** Too few respondents of this type were interviewed for this data to be meaningful.