More Americans Say Personal Immorality Not Disqualifying for Elected Officials: (scroll down) Americans today are less likely to believe personal transgressions prevent public officials from performing their duties well. Compared to 2011, Americans today are more likely to say elected officials can still perform their public duties in an ethical manner even if they have committed immoral personal acts. 72% of white evangelical Protestants say an elected official can behave ethically even if they have committed transgressions in their personal life—a 42-point jump from 2011.