Background Memo  

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind was conducted by telephone from September 17 through September 21 using a randomly selected sample of 601 likely voters statewide in Delaware.  The sampling error for a population of 601 randomly selected respondents is +/- 4 percentage points at the 95 percent level of confidence. Sample error for subgroups varies with the size of the subgroup.   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. All PublicMind interviews are conducted by TMR, Inc. of Cedar Knolls, NJ.  Professionally trained interviewers use a CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) system. Random selection >is achieved through computerized random-digit dialing. This technique gives every person with a land-line (including those with unlisted numbers) an equal chance of being selected.  The sample may be mathematically weighted to match known demographics of age, ethnicity and gender.

The questions included in this release are as follows:

Question: In November, there will also be an election for governor. If the election were held today, would you vote for …or…? [If “unsure” ask: “which way do you lean?”]

• Jack Markell, the Democrat
• Bill Lee, the Republican

Question: In November, DELAWARE will also vote for a US Senator. If the election were held today, would you vote for …or…? [If “unsure” ask: “which way do you lean?”]

• Joe Biden, the Democrat
• Christine O’Donnell, the Republican

Question: There will also be an election for the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington. For Congress, do you plan to vote for…or…? [If “unsure” ask: “which way do you lean?”]

• Karen Hartley-Nagel, the Democrat
• Mike Castle, the Republican

Question: And in the race for Insurance Commissioner…  If the election were held today, would you vote for…or…? [If “unsure” ask: “which way do you lean?”]

• Karen Weldin Stewart, the Democrat
• John Brady, the Republican

see also:
Survey Analysis
Tabular Results