Background Memo  

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind was conducted by telephone from February 27 through March 6 using a randomly selected sample of 601 registered voters statewide aged 18 and over.  The sampling error for 601 adults is +/- 4 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. 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 phone number (including those with unlisted numbers) an equal chance of being selected.  The questions included in this release are as follows:

[PROMPT] “Now turning to another topic, thinking about judges and courts…”

Question P1:  Before now, have you ever heard the expression "legislating from the bench"?

Question P1B: How much have you heard or read about the practice of "legislating from the bench"... READ?

• A great deal
• Some
• Just a little
• Nothing at all

Question: P2. In your opinion, in general, how serious a problem is it that federal courts legislate from the bench?

• Very Serious
• Somewhat serious
• Not so serious
• Not a problem at all

Question: P3: In your opinion, how serious a problem is it that New Jersey courts "legislate from the bench"...[READ]?

• Very Serious
• Somewhat serious
• Not so serious
• Not a problem at all

Question: P4a: In your opinion, how serious a problem is it that New Jersey courts rule on the basis of what their political party wants …READ]?

• Very Serious
• Somewhat serious
• Not so serious
• Not a problem at all

Question: P4b: In your opinion, how serious a problem is it that New Jersey courts make rulings that affect people far beyond those who brought the case to court …READ]?

• Very Serious
• Somewhat serious
• Not so serious
• Not a problem at all

Question: P4c: In your opinion, how serious a problem is it that New Jersey courts over-rule elected representatives …READ]?

• Very Serious
• Somewhat serious
• Not so serious
• Not a problem at all

see also:
Survey Analysis
Democratic Comment
Republican Comment
Tabular Results