The Winthrop Poll is a long-term survey initiative designed to keep public policy
makers across the country in touch with the attitudes and opinions of citizens in
South Carolina, the South as a region, and the nation as a whole. It also serves to
inform South Carolinians, southerners as a whole, and a national audience of the opinions
and views of their neighbors.
It is the only regular "snapshot" of public policy attitudes of the residents of the
state of South Carolina and the South as a region. The survey methodology of the Center for Public Opinion & Policy Research has been vetted by top news organizations and their polling experts. The results
have been covered by national and international news organizations including:
The Center for Public Opinion & Policy Research (then known as the Social & Behavioral Research Lab) first began intrastate polling in 2003. The first statewide poll took place in fall 2006. In addition to statewide polls, the Center for Public Opinion & Policy Research has become a leading regional polling entity with frequent Winthrop Polls focusing on the South as a region (AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, and VA). The Winthrop Poll began polling the entire United States in 2026.
The Center for Public Opinion & Policy Research can now compare the attitudes of South Carolinians to those of the South and the nation as a whole
The Center for Public Opinion & Policy Research prides itself on being open and transparent with the methodologies used for The Winthrop Poll.
As such, the Center is a Charter Member of the American Association for Public Opinion Transparency Initiative. The Transparency Initiative requires detailed disclosure regarding all support and methodology.
