Poll results show state fairgoers favor ban on cell phones in schools; strengthened gun storage requirements

Two-thirds of respondents to the 2024 House of Representatives’ State Fair Poll support prohibiting K-12 students from using cell phones during the school day. A similar percentage say they would favor expanding firearm storage laws.

A new law requires a school district or charter school to adopt a policy on students' possession and use of cell phones in school by March 15, 2025, and 68.6% of polltakers said K-12 schools should ban the use of phones during the school day, while 20.8% oppose such a policy, and 10.6% are undecided.

The firearm storage question brought similar results with 69.8% in favor of requiring owners to store a firearm unloaded and with a locking device, or firearm storage unit, while 22.8% are against such a proposal, and 7.4% are undecided.

The annual poll was conducted by the nonpartisan House Public Information Services Office and is an informal, unscientific survey of issues discussed in prior legislative sessions and that may again be topics of discussion in 2025. The 12-question poll was taken by 7,965 fairgoers this year, down slightly from 2023 when 8,144 people took part.

It also found strong support (83.8%) for renewing Minnesota’s Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, which was established in 1988 when voters approved a constitutional amendment to dedicate a portion of state lottery proceeds to protect the state’s natural resources.

A slight majority (43.2%) support Minnesota following the lead of Arizona and Oklahoma in allowing drivers to store a secure digital version of their driver’s license or state identification card on a smartphone. But 37.8% of polltakers are against the idea, while 19% are undecided.   

The majority of polltakers also support:

• a “bottle bill” to require a refundable deposit on purchased beverage containers;
• exempting school supplies from sales taxes;
• in-person wagering at the state’s two horse racing tracks should sports betting become legal;
• expanding MinnesotaCare to include a public option;
• the state requiring cities to loosen zoning regulations to allow more residential housing;  
• making Election Day a state holiday; and
• lifting restrictions on when the Legislature can meet.

The majority of polltakers do not support prohibiting government institutions and schools from banning visual displays of rainbows;

Here are the ful poll results (totals are for those who actually voted on the question): 

1. Should students in grades K-12 be prohibited from using cell phones during the school day?

Yes — 68.6% (5,387)

No — 20.8% (1,636)

Undecided/No Opinion — 10.6% (835)

2. Should firearm storage laws be expanded to specify that a person must store a firearm unloaded and equipped with a locking device or in a firearm storage unit?

Yes — 69.8% (5,438)

No — 22.8% (1,778)

Undecided/No Opinion — 7.4% (573)

3. To encourage recycling, should Minnesota pass a “bottle bill” that would require a refundable deposit on each purchased beverage container such as cans and plastic bottles?

Yes — 52.3% (4,070)

No — 33.6% (2,612)

Undecided/No Opinion — 14.1% (1,094)

4. If gambling on professional and collegiate sports becomes legal, should in-person wagering sites include both tribal casinos and the state's two horse racing tracks, Canterbury Park and Running Aces?

A fairgoer looks over the Minnesota House of Representatives' 2024 State Fair Poll Aug. 22 in the Education Building. (Photo by Michele Jokinen)

Yes — 52.8% (4,096)

No — 19.7% (1,531)

Undecided/No Opinion — 27.5% (2,134)

5. State law limits when legislators can meet in session during the year. Should restrictions be lifted so the Legislature could meet at any time?

Yes — 57.5% (4,469)

No — 27.2% (2,114)

Undecided/No Opinion — 15.3% (1,189)

6. Should the state create digital driver’s licenses and identification cards?

Yes — 43.2% (3,359)

No — 37.8% (2,942)

Undecided/No Opinion — 19% (1,475)

7. Should Election Day be a state holiday?

Yes — 70.8% (5,534)

No — 24.3% (1,899)

Undecided/No Opinion — 4.9% (381)

8. Should the MinnesotaCare health insurance program be expanded to include a public option to allow more low-income Minnesotans to buy health insurance?

Fairgoers crowd the Minnesota House of Representatives booth to take the annual state fair opinion poll Aug. 22. (Photo by Andrew VonBank)

Yes — 81.2% (6,330)

No — 11% (858)

Undecided/No Opinion — 7.8% (612)

9. Should state and local governments, school districts and postsecondary institutions be prohibited from banning any visual display of rainbows, such as flags or posters, from their property?

Yes — 36.6% (2,781)

No — 56.6% (4,292)

Undecided/No Opinion — 6.8% (515)

10. Should school supplies be exempt from sales taxes?

Yes — 77% (6,003)

No — 16.5% (1,287)

Undecided/No Opinion — 6.5% (507)

11. To help address the housing shortage, should the state require cities to loosen zoning laws to permit more multifamily residential developments in commercial districts and on residential lots?

Yes — 52.5% (4,089)

No — 29.4% (2,293)

Undecided/No Opinion — 18.1% (1,412)

12. [This question will be on the November 2024 ballot.] “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to protect drinking water sources and the water quality of lakes, rivers, and streams; conserve wildlife habitat and natural areas; improve air quality; and expand access to parks and trails by extending the transfer of proceeds from the state-operated lottery to the environment and natural resources trust fund, and to dedicate the proceeds for these purposes?”

Yes — 83.8% (6,545)

No — 9.2% (715)

Undecided/No Opinion — 7% (547)