How people weigh state versus federal influence on public health
Core finding
In a Verasight survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted May 1 to 4, 2026, 46% of Americans said state and federal lawmakers have about equal impact on public health outcomes.
About a third said federal lawmakers have more impact, including 11% who said much more and 23% who said somewhat more. Another 19% said state lawmakers have more impact.
Topline distribution
46% said state and federal lawmakers have about equal public-health impact.
Compared to federal lawmakers, how much impact do you think state lawmakers have on public health outcomes?
n = 1,000 · May 1–4, 2026 · MoE ±3.3%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | May 1–4, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.3% |
| Module | 2 |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/sbm-2026
Compared to federal lawmakers, how much impact do you think state lawmakers have on public health outcomes?
Cite this question
SBM Omnibus Survey #2026-049, fielded May 1-4, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.3%.