Background Memo  

The most recent survey by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind was conducted by telephone from April 4 to April 10 using a randomly selected sample of 800 registered voters statewide aged 18 and over.  The sampling error for 800 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 and order of the questions included in this release are as follows:

Question: Some people have suggested that the best way to keep property taxes under control is to make changes in the state constitution.  How much have you read or heard about holding a Constitutional Convention that would propose changes to control property taxes…?

Question: Do you think it’s a good idea or a bad idea for New Jersey to have a Constitutional Convention to try to deal with property taxes?

Question: Some people say a Constitutional Convention for New Jersey needs to focus only on taxes and should not get sidetracked dealing with other issues. Others say a Constitutional Convention should deal with issues that affect state spending as well as the property tax issue.  Which comes closest to your position?

see also:
Survey Analysis
Thigpen's Analysis
Salmore's Analysis
Tabular Results