Over the next few days we will be exploring voters' perceptions of a myriad of issues, but today we look at attitudes about where the West stands today and what it will look like tomorrow. Voters were selected proportionally based on registered voters within each state. Summary Westerners are generally optimistic about the direction of the West today and its economic future, but worry that this prosperity may come at a price. These voters appear to be more concerned about losing their quality way of life than they are about being left behind by a new economy. New West voters say that things have gotten off on the wrong track in the West.
Younger westerners are more optimistic than their older counterparts.
An even starker contrasts comes among men. College-educated westerners are more positive in their outlook for the region than those without a college degree. Moral concerns may be a playing a key role in the outlook of New West voters. There tends to be a connection between the pace of growth and development and economic optimism with New West voters. New West voters are less confident that the quality of life in the West will fare as well over the next ten years.