Background Memo and Tables

see also:
Survey Analysis
Tabular Results
Republican Response
Democratic Response

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind was conducted by telephone from July 20 through July 26 using a randomly selected sample of 834 registered voters statewide aged 18 and over. The sampling error for 834 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 of the questions included in this release are as follows:

Question: Now, turning to New Jersey -- In your opinion, do you think things in New Jersey are moving in the right direction or do you think the state has gotten off on the wrong track?

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?

Question: I'm going to read a list of names. Tell me whether you think each of these people ...

Question: How would you rate the job Jim McGreevey is doing as governor—excellent, good, only fair, or poor?

Question: Do you think that James McGreevey has done a good enough job as governor to deserve reelection or would you rather see a new person in that job?

Question: Now I’d like to ask you a few questions about the New Jersey State budget. How much have you heard or read about the governor’s proposed state budget for the coming year?

Question: Now in order to balance the budget, some people say ... Others say ... to balance the budget. Which position comes closest to your view?