Background Memo  

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind was conducted by telephone from April 4 through April 10 using a randomly selected sample of 800 registered voters statewide aged 18 and over.  The sampling error for 800 adults is +/- 3.5 percentage points at the 95 percent level of confidence.  Survey results are also subject to non-sampling error. This kind of error, which cannot be measured, arises from a number of factors including, but not limited to, non-response (eligible individuals refusing to be interviewed), question wording, the order in which questions are asked, and variations among interviewers. PublicMind interviews are conducted by TMR, Inc. of Parsippany, NJ.  Professionally trained interviewers use a CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) System. Random selection is achieved by computerized random-digit dialing. This technique gives every person with a phone number (including those with unlisted numbers) an equal chance of being selected. Registered voters are screened through a series of questions. Results are mathematically weighted to match known demographics.

The wording and order of the questions included in this release are as follows:

Question:  Have you heard of [rotate list]? If you haven't just tell me. [If yes, ask:] Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of …? Would that be very or somewhat?

• Bret Schundler
• Doug Forrester
• Paul DiGaetano
• Robert Schroeder
• Steven Lonegan
• John J. Murphy
• Todd Caliguire
• Richard Codey
• Jon Corzine
• Frank Lautenberg
• George Norcross

Question: In November there will also be an election for the state assembly. If the election were held today would you vote for the … or … candidates?

• Republican
• Democrat

Question: What issue do you think should be the top priority of candidates running for Governor this year?

• Controlling spending and taxes
• Dealing with problems of overdevelopment and congestion
• Protecting the environment
• Upholding ethical standards
• Security from terror attacks

Question: And what should be the next highest priority?

see also:
Survey Analysis
Thigpen's Analysis
Salmore's Analysis
Tabular Results