RELEASE INFORMATION appear in Sundays StarLedger. Other newspapers may also use this information in their A story based on the survey findings presented in this release and background memo will RELEASE: SL/EP 304 (EP 804) FOR RELEASE: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1990 CONTACT: JANICE BALLOU 1J.J1X5EI?.S Eagleton Institute of Politics New Brunswick New Jersey 08901 201; 8282210 THE STATE UNtvEfliTY Of NEN JERV (20fl 9323605 (Rut2ers Feature Phone. A flintion RADIO STATIONS: Audio is available after 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 20, 1990 from more heard anything about changing the state s constitution to allow for initiative and have not read or heard much about it. Fortyfour percent report they have not read or referendum has gained increased attention in the past few months, most state residents While the idea of changing the state s constitution to allow for initiative and agree with what Hands Across New Jersey is trying to accomplish. group that organized a petition drive and rallies to repeal the tax package. Also, 6inb Almost all New Jersey residents are aware of Hands Across New Jersey, the procedures to recall the governor and state legislators. residents also think that it is a good idea to change the state s constitution to allow for September 24 and October 2, 1990 with 800 New Jersey adults, half of the state s In addition, according to a StarLedger/Eagleton Poll conducted between about how initiative and referendum would work. and referendum is a good idea. However, about half report they do not bow much currently a controversial issue in New Jersey. Half of the state s residents say initiative Amending the state s constitution to allow for initiative and referendum is REFERENDUM; ALSO ON RECALL NEW JERSEYANS DIVIDED ON IMTIATWE AN]) Eagleton Poll. We ask users to properly attribute this copyrighted information to the StarLedger/ Sunday editions. Electronic media may release after 5:00 p.m. Saturday, October 20, 1990. Jut êtaricbgcr/eaglet0n POLL
issue was also debated. they have some information. These results are similar to those found in 1986 when the comparison, just 7 percent say they have read or heard a good deal and 20 percent say referendum and an additional 27 percent have read or heard just a little. In Q more percent were more skeptical and said that people do not follow politics closely enough to chance to vote on issues, people would be able to cast an informed vote. However, 22 always be left to elected representatives. In addition, 66 percent feel that given the important issues and policies, while 17 percent think the job of making laws should side, 7inlO state residents say that citizens should have the option of voting directly on like, they also feel there could be a drawback to having this process. On the positive While there are some arguments for initiative and referendum that state residents were uncertain about establishing a process for initiative and referendum. November 1979. At that time, 38 percent thought it was a good idea and 57 percent to vote directly on state policies and issues since the question was first asked in increased somewhat from the 47 percent who felt this way in February 1986. However, ( there is a 14 point increase in the percentage who want to provide a way for the public The percentage saying that initiative and referendum is a good idea has of initiative and referendum. repealed compared to 38 percent who are willing to give it a chance agree with the idea initiative and referendum. In addition, 59 percent of those who want the tax package are more likely than Independents (52%) or Democrats (45%) to support the idea of about initiative and referendum and 7 percent feel it is a bad idea. Republicans (63%) While 52 percent of the state s residents think it a good idea, 41 percent are uncertain Overall, New Jerseyans are divided in their support for initiative and referendum. EP8O4 (SL/EP3O4) Page 2
On the other hand, state residents also see a downside to initiative and referendum. Fifty percent feel that initiative and referendum would allow special found in February 1986. make informed decisions on most issues. These results are about the same as those more Across New Jersey, an organization that has focused on renewing interest in issues such More than 8in 10 state residents have read or heard something about Hands it is a good idea. Republicans support recall, fewer Independents (52%) and Democrats (45%) agree that say it is a bad idea and 31 percent do not give an opinion. While 65 percent of the A majority of New Jerseyans think that recall is a good idea, while 17 percent some. recall. In comparison, 10 percent have read or heard a good deal and 26 percent percent say they have read or heard just a little (26%) or nothing at all (37%) about elected state officials out of office before the end of their regular term. Sixtythree state s constitution to include a recall procedure which would provide a way to vote Most state residents have not read or heard about the discussion to change the referendum becomes part of the political process there are pitfalls as well as benefits. Janice Ballou, Poll Director. However, people are also aware that if initiative and Having a direct say in government is very attractive to people, connnented permitted while 46 percent do not know much and 6 percent did not give an opinion. (11%) or some (37%) about how initiative and referendum would work if it was in February 1986. Only about half of the state residents say they know a great deal same reaction to this aspect of initiative and referendum as when the question was asked while 30 percent feel it would make special interests less powerful. Overall, this is the interest groups to gain power by spending money to promote only their side of an issue, EP8O4 (SL/EP3O4) Page 3
organization. percent not much. Only 15 percent say they have not read or heard anything about this deal about Hands Across New Jersey, 41 percent have read or heard some, and 23 as recall and initiative and referendum. While 21 percent have read or heard a great ( Copyright, October 21, 1990, The Eagleton Institute and Newark StarLedger. 30 organization provides an opportuiity to unite with others who feel the same way. C throughout the state. Right now, people are dissatisfied with government and this Ballou noted, Hands Across New Jersey has succeeded in becoming well known Across New Jersey is trying to do. are more likely than Independents (60%) or Democrats (49%) to agree with what Hands percent are not familiar with the group or did not give an opinion. Republicans (77%) mildly (8%) or strongly (6%) disagree with the organization s approach and 25 to do33 percent strongly agree and 28 percent mildly agree. Fourteen percent Overall, 6inlO state residents agree with what Hands Across New Jersey is trying C EPBO4 (SL/EP3O4) Page 4
UFtic 4arIcbgcr/EAGLEToN POLL BACKGROUND MEMO REuEE SL/EP304 (EPSO4). SUNDAY. OCTOBER 21. 1991) The latest Poll was conducted between 24 and October 2, 1990, when a sample of 800 New Jerseyans, 18 years and older, was interviewed by telephone. Figures on this size are subject to a sampling of about percent. Sampling is the probable difference in between interviewing everyone in the population versus a scientific sample taken from that population. Sampling does take into account possible sources of in any study of public opinion. questions and figures to in this release are below. The location of each question on the actual is in brackets. error StarLedger/Eagleton not questionnaire referred error other ±3.5 presented September error error inherent based random sample results The Hands Across New is a group that has organized activities such as a petition drive to and marches in Trenton. How much have you read or heard about Hands Across New not much or nothing at all? [0.13] Jersey repeal Jerseya great the tax package deal, some, Great Not Don t Deal Some Much Nothing Know Total TOTAL, SEfl./OCT. 1990 21% 41% 23% 15% 0% 100% (800) And, do you agree or disagree with what strongly or mildly? [0.14] Hands Across New Jersey is trying to do? P0 you (agree/disagree) Don t Strongly Mildly Mildly Strongly Not Agree Agree Disagree Disagree With Know/ Familiar Group Total TOTAL, SEPT./OCT. 1990 33% 28% 8% 6% 25% 100% (800) Rate Job Governor Floflo Is Doin2 12 18 23 23 24 100 (143) 23 38 7 3 29 100 (257) Poor 49 25 4 3 19 100 (363) Excellent/Good Onlyfair Panv ID 23 26 11 8 32 100 (232) 31 29 10 7 23 100 (305) Republican 48 29 4 3 16 100 (226) Democrat Independent I.1J T E3EI?.S Eagleton Institute of Politics New Brunswick New Jersey 08901 201/8282210 the 5T4Th UNrE7SJVv OF NEW JEPV
TOTAL, SEPT./OCT. 1990 7% 20% 27% 44% 1% 99% (800) Deal Some Little At All Know Total and referendum. This provides a way for the public to vote directly on policies and issues instead of always leaving them up to the state legislature. ç How much have you heard or read about thisa good deal, some, just a little, or nothing at all? [0.44] A Good Just A Nothing Don t There has been some discussion lately in New Jersey about changing the state s constitution to allow for initiative 1 February 1986 65 26 6 4 101 (600) TOTAL, SEFr./OCT. 1990 66% 22% 8% 4% 100% (800) Would Depends Know I21i Would Both/ Don t would or would not be able to make informed decisions? [0.47] believe that, if given a chance to vote on issues, people would be able to cast informed votes. Do you think people Some say that people do not follow politics closely enough to make informed decisions on most issues. Others Februaryl98ó 71 22 3 3 99 (600) Citizens Renresentatives Devends Know I2ii ni TOTAL, SEPT./OCT. 1990 72% 17% 8% 3% 100% (800) Elected Both! Don t Should citizens vote directly in some cases, or should laws always be made by elected representatives? [Q.461 job of making laws should always be left to elected representatives. Some people feel citizens ought to be able to vote directly on important issues and policies. Others feel that the me which comes closest to your own view. First... I m going to read you some reasons people have given both for and against initiative and referendum. Please tell TOTAL, SEFr./Ocr. 1990 11% 37% 46% 6% 100% (800) A Great Not Don t Some Much Know permitteda great deal, some, or not much? [0.45] And overall, how much do you feel you know about how initiative and referendum would work if it were November 1979 3 18 32 46 1 100 (1,206) February 1986 4 19 29 47 1 100 (600) February 1984 3i3 3 14 53 0 100 (802) EPSO4 (SL/EP3O4) 2
Mote Less No Both/ Don t the public to decide issues when elected ofilcials are hesitant to act. Do you think initiative and referendum would make special interests rnar or k powerful? [Q.48] money to promote only their side of an issue. Others feel that it would weaken special interests, since it allows ( Some people feel that initiative and referendum would allow special interest groups to gain power by spending Respondent Thinks Wrong Track 56 5 39 100 (585) OK, Right Direction 37 19 44 100 (154) OK Or On Wrong flack Things In New Jersey Repeal parts of package, About The Tax Package Repeal entire package 59 4 37 100 (290) keep others 57 6 37 100 (287) Give package a chance 38 14 48 100 (179) Respondent c Attitude Poor 57 6 36 99 (363) Florio Is Doing Only Fair 49 4 47 100 (257).cellent/Good 45 17 39 101 (143) Rare Job Governor Republican 63 7 31 101 (226) Pafl ID Democrat 45 8 47 100 (232) Independent 52 8 39 99 (305) November 1979 38 5 57 100 (1,203) Februarvl984 38 4 57 99 (802) February 1986 47 7 47 101 (600) TOTAL, SEPT./OCt 1990 52% 7% 41% 100% (800) Good Idea Bad Idea Don t Know Both/Depends! on it? IQI On the whole, do you think initiative and referendum is a good idea, a bad idea, or don t you have an opinion February 1986 47 33 5 2 13 100 (600) Powerful Powerful Chanee Deyends Know Iinl mi TOTAL, SEfl./OCT. 1990 50% 30% 4% 3% 13% 100% (800) 3 EPSO4 (SL/EP3O4)
out of office before the end of their regular term. How much have you read or heard about thisa good deal, TOTAL, sep r./oct. 1990 10% 26% 26% 37% 1% 100% (800) There has been some discussion about changing the state s Constitution to allow for procedures to recall the governor and state legislators. The recall procedure provides a way for the public to vote elected state officials j Some Link At All Know Iii Ui) some, just a little, or nothing at all? [0.501 A Good Just A Nothing Don t Respondent Thinks Wrong Track 57 12 31 100 (585) OK, Right Direction 34 31 35 100 (154) OK Or On Wrong Track Things hi New Jersey Repeal parts of package, Repeal entire package 62 8 30 100 (290) Respondent s Attitude keep others 52 19 29 100 (287) Give package a chance 33 35 31 99 (179) A hoist The Tax Package OnlyFair 44 14 42 100 (257) Excellent/Good 37 43 20 100 (143) Florip Is Doing Poor 65 9 25 99 (363) ( Rate Job Governor Democrat 45 20 36 101 (232) Republican 65 14 20 99 (226) Independent 52 17 31 100 (305) Party ID TOTAL, SEPT./OCT. 1990 51% 17% 31% 99% (800) Good Idea Bad Idea Dpn L Knpw IQilli On the whole, do you think recall is a good idea, a bad idea, or don t you have an opinion on it? [0.511 C EPSO4 (SL/EP34J4) 4