Approximately three of four Kansans support making English the state’s official language, according to a poll released Tuesday.

“The people of Kansas have a right to expect that their government is working to bring newcomers into the mainstream and putting them on the road to become a successful part of the state’s future,” said Mauro E. Mujica, chairman of U.S. English Inc., a group that advocates passage of official English legislation.

The survey of 625 likely voters taken Sept. 20-22 found that 77 percent of Kansans support requiring that most business with state government be conducted in English.

The poll’s margin of error was plus or minus 4 percent. There was little difference among regions, sexes, ages and political parties.

Twenty-seven states have English as their official language, and both candidates for governor in Kansas – Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat seeking re-election, and Jim Barnett, a Republican state senator – have voiced support for such a measure.

Opponents have argued that while politically popular, making English the official state language is unnecessary because most immigrants try to learn English as quickly as possible.

But Rob Toonkel, a spokesman for U.S. English Inc., equated learning English to promoting programs to stop smoking and eat healthy.

“Learning English is the best thing that someone can do to raise their ability to get a better job,” Toonkel said.

U.S. English Inc. has done polls in 10 states in the past couple of years. Toonkel said Kansas’ results were similar to the other states.