Background Memo  

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind was conducted by telephone from March 24, 2008 through March 30, 2008 using a randomly selected statewide sample of 816 registered voters.  The sampling error for 816 is +/- 3.5 percentage points at the 95 percent level of confidence.  Subsets of 650-655 were selected at random to identify candidates.  The margin of error for a sample of 650 is +/- 4 percentage points.   Only the 209 Republicans who said they would or might vote in the June primary were asked their primary preferences.  The margin of error for a sample of 209 is +/- 7 percentage points.   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 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 land-line phone number (including those with unlisted numbers) an equal chance of being selected. Results are mathematically weighted to match known demographics.

Question:  Have you heard of [ask 4 of five; rotate list]? If you haven’t just tell me. [If yes, ask:] Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of …?

• Andy Unanue
• Joe Pennacchio
• Murray Sabrin
• Frank Lautenberg

Republicans only READ: In June, Republican voters will select a candidate to run in November for US Senate against Democrat Frank Lautenberg.  Do you think you’ll vote in that Republican primary election in June or not? [IF “yes” or “maybe” ASK:]

Question: And if that primary election were held today, would you vote for…or…or …?

• Andy Unanue
• Joe Pennacchio
• Murray Sabrin

see also:
Survey Analysis
Tabular Results