Poll Receives Bipartisan Support To Protect The Arctic From More Drilling

If this new poll has some merit, many bipartisan voters in congressional battleground states are opposed to Arctic drilling, which is now part of a controversial new tax bill awaiting another Congressional vote. Here are some details via Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and Taxpayers for Common Sense:

A New Poll from Taxpayers for Common Sense and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Highlights Strong Bipartisan Support for Protecting Taxpayers and America’s Arctic 

Poll Release Comes as Congress Nears Finalizing Tax Cut Bill Backed By Budget Gimmicks Including Speculative Oil and Gas Leasing in America’s Arctic and Trillions in Deficit Spending 

(Washington, D.C.) – A new poll released today by Taxpayers for Common Sense and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers reveals strong bipartisan support among voters in battleground congressional districts for policies that protect America’s Arctic and avoid the costly and speculative push for new oil and gas development. The poll, conducted by Peak Insights, shows that swing district voters support such protections by a significant 57-32 percent majority, with 45 percent indicating “strongly support.”

The survey, which included 1,250 likely 2026 general election voters across 10 key battleground congressional districts, found that majorities of voters in all 10 districts support Arctic protections.

“This poll demonstrates that voters, even in politically diverse battleground districts, understand drilling in the Arctic isn’t just risky for the environment, it is a terrible deal for taxpayers c,” said Autumn Hanna, Vice President of Taxpayers for Common Sense. “Moreover, the data shows that the argument for drilling in the Arctic based on unrealistic revenue projections doesn’t resonate with voters. Our analysis has consistently shown that revenue from these projects would raise less than 3% of the often-claimed $900 million, making it a bad deal for taxpayers. Voters see through the unrealistic promises and want our leaders to prioritize protecting this national treasure.”

Key findings from the poll, also highlighted in this memo, include:

• Overwhelming Support for Arctic Protection: 57% of all swing district voters support policies to protect America’s Arctic from new oil and gas development, compared to just 32% who oppose.
• Concerns about Taxpayer Risk: 57% agree that “President Trump’s ‘energy emergency’ is unnecessary, given that the U.S. is the largest producer of oil in the world, and it risks being a bad deal for taxpayers.” Additionally, 52% agree “We should prioritize energy production outside Alaska’s Arctic region, in other areas where it is easier to access and cheaper to produce.”
  • A majority (57%) of those polled say Congress’s reliance on unrealistic revenue projections from Arctic Refuge leasing to justify their proposed trillion-dollar tax cut is a compelling reason to oppose new oil and gas development in America’s Arctic.
• Support for Outdoor Recreation and Conservation: Majorities of all swing district voters found messages opposing new oil and gas drilling in the Arctic convincing, including the argument that selling off these public lands would set a dangerous precedent, and that speculative leasing sacrifices proven economic gains from outdoor recreation for uncertain drilling prospects for unpredictable drilling opportunities.
  • A 58% majority says that drilling proponents’ willingness to sacrifice iconic wildlife and Alaska’s $3 billion outdoor recreation economy for uncertain drilling prospects is a compelling reason to oppose new oil and gas development in America’s Arctic.
• Broad Consensus Across Battleground Congressional Districts: Majorities of voters in every battleground congressional district surveyed — AZ-06, CA-13, CO-03, GA-02, ME-02, NE-02, NY-17, PA-07, PA-08, and WA-03 — support Arctic protections.
• Skepticism on Consumer Benefits From Oil and Gas Development: 61% of voters agree that “Drilling in America’s Arctic will not lower gas prices. Even if approved today, we are years, if not decades, away from any oil being produced.”

“Sportsmen and women have a deep connection to America’s wild places, and the Arctic is no exception,” said Kaden McArthur, Director of Policy and Government Relations for Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. “This poll confirms that the public understands the value of these irreplaceable landscapes for wildlife, outdoor recreation, and future generations. They recognize that opening the Arctic to industrial development not only threatens vital habitats but also undermines proven economic benefits, such as Alaska’s $3 billion annual recreation economy. It’s time for policymakers to listen to the will of the people and prioritize conservation over speculative and risky drilling ventures.”

The poll was conducted by Peak Insights from June 7-16, 2025, and included N=1,250 interviews among likely 2026 general election voters. The survey utilized a mixed-mode approach of live interviews (landline and cell phone) and text-to-online (P2P) responses. The margin of error for the overall sample of 1,250 is +/- 3% at the 95% confidence level.

“We find both sides to have compelling arguments to make their case, but after hearing both pro and con arguments the voters in these ten districts nonetheless still come down on the side of protecting America’s Arctic region in Alaska,” said Hans Kaiser, Partner with Peak Insights as a part of a poll memo released today with these results. 

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About Taxpayers for Common Sense: Taxpayers for Common Sense is a national, non-partisan budget watchdog organization that works to achieve a government that spends taxpayer dollars wisely and operates with transparency and accountability.

About Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving North America’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting through education and advocacy.