FDU PublicMind - March 4, 2004 Release

Background Memo

The PublicMind poll was sponsored by New Jersey Monthly and conducted by telephone from January 4 through January 11 using a randomly selected, state-wide sample of 600 New Jersey registered voters aged 18 and over. The sampling error for 600 adults is +/- 4 percentage points at the 95 percent level of confidence. Results are weighted to match known demographics. 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 interviews are conducted by professionally trained interviewers using a CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) system. Random selection >is obtained through computerized random-digit dialing. This technique gives every person with a phone number an equal chance of being selected including those with unlisted numbers.

The wording and order of questions referred to in this release were as follows:

Now, turning to matters in our own state…

NJ1. In your opinion, do you think things in New Jersey are moving in the right direction or do you believe it has gotten off on the wrong track?

a. Right direction
b. Wrong track
c. DK/Unsure [DON’T READ]

NJ2. Have you heard of…[ROTATE LIST]? If you’ve never heard of him just tell me… If “yes,” do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of…? Would that be very or somewhat…?

James McGreevey

a. Very favorable
b. Favorable
c. Unfavorable
d. Very unfavorable
e. DK [DON’T READ]
f. REF [DON’T READ]
g. Never heard of

NJ3. How would you rate the job James McGreevey is doing as governor?

a. Excellent
b. Good
c. Only fair
d. Or poor
e. DK/Unsure [DON’T READ]

Now, shifting gears for a minute…..

In thinking about where you live, how would you describe the area? Would you say it’s

a. a large city or town
b. a small city or urban area
c. suburban
d. a small town
e. rural or farm town
f. other
g. DK [DON’T READ]
h. REF [DON’T READ]

Before you lived where you live now, how would you describe that area?

a. a large city or town
b. a small city or urban area
c. suburban
d. a small town
e. rural or farm town
f. other
g. DK [DON’T READ]
h. REF [DON’T READ]

And what kind of housing is it-is it

a. Single-family-detached
b. Condominium or townhouse
c. Apartment or [PROMPT IF NECESSARY garden or high rise]
d. Something else
e. DK/REF [DON’T READ]

What kind of housing did you live in before you lived here?….

a. Single-family-detached
b. Condominium or townhouse
c. Apartment or [PROMPT IF NECESSARY garden or high rise]
d. Something else
e. DK/REF [DON’T READ]

Do you in fact hope to move within the next 5 years…?

a. Yes
b. No [TO 11]
c. DK [DON’T READ]
d. REF [DON’T READ]

Considering your actual financial situation, what kind of housing to you think you might move to?

a. No plans to move [DON’T READ; TO 11]
b. Single-family-detached
c. Condominium or townhouse
d. Apartment or [PROMPT IF NECESSARY garden or high rise]
e. Something else
f. DK/REF [DON’T READ]

What type of area do you think you might move to?

a. a large city or town
b. a small city or urban area
c. suburban
d. a small town
e. rural or farm town
f. other
g. DK [DON’T READ]
h. REF [DON’T READ]

Do you think that in planning for the future such planning is best done by [ROTATE] … or by …?

a. The state
b. By the local government where you live
c. Both [DON’T READ]
d. DK/REF [DON’T READ]

Thinking about New Jersey as a whole…do you think there is too much or too little commercial and housing development?

a. too much
b. too little
c. just the right amount [DON’T READ]
d. DK [DON’T READ]
e. REF [DON’T READ]

The term “suburban sprawl” refers to new development—generally built on land that was farmland or open space that is spread out and which requires people to use their cars to get to most places.

Compared to other issues you are concerned about, how important is controlling suburban sprawl in New Jersey to you personally: very important, somewhat important, not very important, or not at all important?

a. very important
b. somewhat important
c. not very important
d. not at all important
e. DK/REF [DON’T READ]

When thinking about development in your area, what concerns you the most? [ROTATE LIST]

a. traffic
b. changing the character of the neighborhood
c. building on open space
d. too many people
e. DK/REF [DON’T READ]