A poll taken about a month before the Nov. 6 election shows 49 percent of Utah residents were definitely against it and 11 percent were probably opposed.
The poll for the Deseret Morning News and KSL-TV found 34 percent were probably or definitely in favor of giving tax dollars to families sending children to private schools. Seven percent said they didn't know.
Voters statewide will decide whether to keep or kill vouchers. The program was suspended before it began when opponents gathered petition signatures to force a referendum.
Opponents have been airing TV ads with teachers urging voters to reject vouchers. The poll found 55 percent believe vouchers would harm public schools.
"Of course I am delighted with those results, but until the actual results come in and the vote is taken, I will not stop working," said Kim Burningham, head of the state school board and a voucher foe.
The poll of 409 registered voters was conducted Sept. 29 to Oct. 4 and has an error margin of 5 percentage points.
A pro-voucher group, Parents for Choice in Education, believes sentiment will turn.
"As we gear up for the final sprint, we are hoping our message will resonate, because we are just sticking to the facts. We are providing citizens with valuable information to make an informed decision," spokeswoman Leah Barker said.
Families would receive $500 to $3,000 per child, depending on their income. Most students already in private schools would not qualify.
Meanwhile, a former state PTA board member sent an e-mail to anti-voucher allies, saying voucher supporters were evil.
"Keep in mind that by their fruits, they shall be known, and the more I learn about these 'parents for choice,' the more I know they are from Satan," Ronda Rose wrote. "Lies and intimidation will not win as long as we stay strong."
Barker said she was shocked by the reference to the devil.
"There are certainly really good, dedicated supporters of Referendum 1 who care deeply about our kids and what's best for them who might be offended to be associated with Satan," she said.
