Poll: State drilling ban amendment not a sure thing

TALLAHASSEE — It has been almost an article of faith in Florida politics: Residents do not want oil drilling off the state’s coasts.

But poll results released Thursday suggest that a drilling ban might not have enough voter support to go into the Florida Constitution.

The poll, conducted by the Tallahassee-based firm Clearview Research, found that 54 percent of voters support a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban offshore oil and gas drilling in state waters, while 42 percent oppose the idea. Constitutional amendments require 60 percent voter approval to pass.

Clearview Research this month polled 750 likely general-election voters about a series of proposals being considered by the Florida Constitution Revision Commission, including a proposed drilling ban.

“Somewhat surprisingly, a ban on offshore oil drilling does not poll as high as one might have guessed, given Florida’s history on this issue,” Clearview Research President Steve Vancore said in comments released with the results. “At 54 percent to 42 percent and showing a very low number of undecided voters (only 4 percent), this would have a hard time crossing the 60 percent threshold.”

The Constitution Revision Commission, which meets every 20 years and can put measures directly on the November ballot, will start a series of sessions today in Tallahassee to take up the drilling ban and nearly three dozen other proposed amendments. It will decide this spring which proposals will go before voters.

Florida law has long prevented oil and gas drilling in state waters, but the proposed constitutional amendment would create a more permanent ban. Republican and Democratic politicians have fought drilling, arguing that it could endanger the state’s beaches. Drilling supporters say it should remain an option, at least in part to help meet energy needs.

Clearview Research conducted the poll from March 1 through March 7 and released a series of results last week. The poll has a margin of error of 3.58 percentage points.