CHICAGO — If the outcome of next month’s presidential election were solely up to the self-service laundry owners polled in the American Coin-Op Your Views survey, Donald Trump will be elected president again next month.
Eighty percent of laundry owners surveyed say they plan to vote for Republicans Trump and running mate JD Vance in the Nov. 5 presidential election. Fifteen percent will back Democrats Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, and 5% will choose Libertarians Chase Oliver and Mike ter Matt.
No one taking the survey plans to vote for independents Cornel West and Melina Abdullah or Green Party candidate Jill Stein. And no one is undecided about who they plan to vote for.
As for which issue will most influence their vote, the focus among respondents is on a few. Inflation, including the price of goods and services, gets most of the attention, with 35% choosing it. Next is economic growth, including jobs, identified by 30%, and immigration, seen as the most influential issue by 25%.
“Other” issues — including a U.S. government that’s “way too big,” and “protecting democracy” — will most influence 10% of respondents as they go to the polls. No one taking the survey chose healthcare or national security as their key influencer.
American Coin-Op asked what action the next administration could take within its first 100 days to assist small businesses like self-service laundries. Here are some of the responses:
- “Stop spending money, especially on proxy wars.”
- “Close the borders, get inflation under control, (and) give small-business owners new tax breaks.”
- “Stop the 75,000 IRS auditors that will be targeting small businesses for audits.”
- “Small-business grants or low-interest loans to encourage expansion, new equipment and general business investment.”
- “Reduce inflation beginning at the gas pump, so drilling (for) oil would be the first step.”
Three-quarters of respondents believe the vote for president is the election that will have the greatest impact on their business. Fifteen percent say it’s the congressional races, and equal shares of 5% point to state or local (municipal) races.
Finally, American Coin-Op asked what issue has been most overlooked during the presidential campaign yet could significantly impact the laundry industry. Here are some responses:
- “We need dollars in the hands of working people that use paid laundry, and increasing the federal minimum wage would be the fastest way to do that.”
- “Climate change hoax is a big part of inflation and needs to be stopped.”
- “Healthcare.”
- “Regulations and the high cost of utilities ‘going green.’”
- “Lack of law enforcement efforts for vandalism and theft recovery.”
- “Too many items have been overlooked in the search for voters to convert.”
American Coin-Op’s Your Views survey presents an unscientific snapshot of the trade audience’s viewpoints. Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.
Qualified subscribers to American Coin-Op emails are invited to participate anonymously in industry surveys. The entire trade audience is encouraged to participate, as a greater number of responses will help to better define owner/operator opinions and industry trends.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].