Background Memo  

The most recent polling results by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind are part of a tracking poll begun on September 23 and conducted by telephone using a statewide, randomly selected sample of likely voters in New Jersey. These results are from 489 interviews conducted from September 23 through September 28.  “Likely voters” are registered voters who have voted in the last 4 years and have a good or excellent chance of voting in this year’s Presidential contest. The sampling error for 489 adults is +/- 4.5 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. 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 wording and order of the questions included in this release are as follows:

Question NJ1: Now, thinking about 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 NJ2:  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 NJ3: Last month, Governor McGreevey announced that he is a gay American and that he had an extramarital affair with a man and that he would resign as governor as of November 15th.  How much have you heard or read about this issue…?

Question NJ4: Do you think that, under the circumstances,… or do you think…?

Question NJ5: In your opinion, should we change the state constitution to have an elected Lt. Governor who would become governor if the Governor resigns or dies in office or do you think this is not necessary?

see also:
Survey Analysis
Thigpen's Analysis
Salmore's Analysis
Tabular Results
Copyright © 2004, Fairleigh Dickinson University. All rights reserved. FDU PublicMind Poll [Latest update 041001]