Contacts: Peter Woolley 973.670.3239

Debatable Whether Voters Watch Debates

According to research this week by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind™, only about 1 in 20, or 6%, of New Jersey likely voters know that the first gubernatorial debate will take place this evening.

“It’s a symptom of being dominated by out-of-state media and out-of-state news that so many New Jersey voters don’t know when their candidates are going to air out their differences,” said Peter Woolley, a political scientist and director of the FDU poll.

However, asked whether they plan to watch the debate or just skip it, nearly 3 in 5, 58%, say they will plan to watch it, while 31% say they’ll just skip it and 10% aren’t sure.  “Most people have good intentions to be good citizens,” added Woolley. “They want to follow the issues and they want to be informed. Often they just don’t have the time and opportunity.”

Do you happen to know when the candidates for governor will have their first debate? 

Do you plan to see this week's debate or do you think you'll just skip it?

Fairleigh Dickinson University’s PublicMind interviewed 324 likely voters by telephone on Monday, September 28, Tuesday, September 29 and Wednesday, September 30.  A sample of 324 yields of margin of error of +/- 5%.

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