baltimoresun.com

Job Performance

1. During Martin O’Malley’s time as governor, have things in Maryland generally (randomize): [gotten better, gotten worse, (or) stayed about the same]?

Better: 25%

Worse: 38%

Same: 28%

Not sure: 9%

2. Looking back now on Bob Ehrlich’s time as governor, did things in Maryland generally (randomize): [get better, get worse, (or) stay about the same] while he was in office?

Better: 28%

Worse: 33%

Same: 26%

Not sure: 13%

3. As far as you are concerned, do most of your incumbent officeholders at the state and local level deserve to be re-elected this year, or are you likely to vote mostly for new people?

Re-elect incumbents: 34%

New people: 43%

Not sure/Refused: 22%

4. In the state and local elections this fall, do you plan to vote for more (rotate): [Republicans or Democrats]?

Republicans: 30%

Democrats: 46%

Split ticket/Vote the person, not the party (Volunteered): 13%

Not sure/Refused: 12%

 
Economy

(All base sample):

5. From what you have seen, do you think the economy in Maryland is (randomize): [getting better, getting worse, (or) staying about the same]?

Better: 20%

Worse: 44%

Same: 31%

Not sure: 6%

6. As you look at your own household’s financial situation today, would you say money is something you worry about or not?  (If worried): Do you worry about it every day or only sometimes?

Worry every day: 25%

Worry sometimes/Unsure how worried: 39%

Do not worry: 33%

Not sure/Refused: 3%

7. Will your feelings about the economy change the way you vote this year, or won’t it make a difference in how you vote?

Will change the way you vote: 55%

Won’t make a difference: 39%

Not sure/Depends/Refused: 5%

 
Favorabilities

8. Now I am going to read you the names of some people and ask if you have a favorable or an unfavorable impression of them.  If you don’t recognize the name, just say so.  The first is…  (Randomize names.)

1. Bob Ehrlich
2. Barbara Mikulski
3. Martin O’Malley
4. The Tea Party
5. The Democratic Party
6. The Republican Party
7. (Anne Arundel only): John Leopold

 

	Favorable	Unfavorable	Heard of, but no opinion	Don’t recognize name	Not sure
A. Bob Ehrlich	43%	43%	11%	1%	2%
B. Barbara Mikulski	58%	31%	7%	2%	2%
C. Martin O’Malley	52%	36%	9%	1%	2%
D. The Tea Party	28%	47%	15%	6%	4%
E. The Democratic Party	49%	37%	10%	1%	3%
F. The Republican Party	35%	46%	14%	1%	5%
G. John Leopold	46%	27%	16%	7%	4%

 

 
Statewide Horse Races

9. If the election for governor were held today, and the candidates were (rotate): [Bob Ehrlich the Republican (or) Martin O’Malley the Democrat], for whom would you vote? (If initially undecided): Do you lean towards one of them at this time?

O’Malley support: 51%

Ehrlich support: 37%

O’Malley lean (Skip to Q.11.): 1%

Ehrlich lean (Skip to Q.11.): 1%

O’Malley (Total): 52%

Ehrlich (Total): 38%

Will not vote (Volunteered; skip to Q.13.): *%

Refused to say (Volunteered; skip to Q.13.): 3%

Totally undecided/Not sure (Skip to Q.11.): 7%

 
(If supports either candidate):

10. Is your support for {candidate mentioned} firm, or could you still change your mind?

O’Malley

Firm: 83%

Could change mind: 17%

Not sure/Refused: *%

Ehrlich

Firm: 84%

Could change mind: 15%

Not sure/Refused: 1%

(Skip to Q.13.)

 
(If leaning or undecided):

11.  If you were to use just a word or a short phrase to say what factor will help you make up your mind, what would it be? (See open-ended verbatim responses at end of Questionnaire.)

Economy/economics/getting a job: 18%

Honesty/integrity of candidate/honesty of the ads: 13%

Finding out their positions/need more information/what will candidate do?: 13%

Taxes: 6%

Education: 4%

Will discuss it with friends/family: 2%

My personal values/ candidate’s stand on social issues: 2%

Candidate who runs positive campaign: 2%

Immigration issues: 2%

Other: 18%

Don’t know/not sure: 17%

Not interested/nothing: 6%

12. If you have a hard time making up your mind, is there a chance you just won’t vote for governor, or are you planning to vote no matter what?

Will vote no matter what: 89%

Chance won’t vote: 6%

Not sure: 5%

(All base sample):

13. If the election for United States Senate were held today, and the candidates were (rotate): [Barbara Mikulski the Democrat (or) Eric Wargotz the Republican], for whom would you vote? (If initially undecided): Do you lean towards one of them at this time?

Mikulski support: 58%

Wargotz support: 29%

Mikulski lean: 1%

Wargotz lean: 2%

Mikulski (Total): 59%

Wargotz (Total): 32%

Will not vote (Volunteered): *%

Refused to say (Volunteered): 1%

Totally undecided/Not sure: 8%

14. Every 20 years the state’s voters are asked whether a constitutional convention should be called for the purpose of changing the Maryland Constitution.  If the election were held today, would you vote for or against a constitutional convention?

Voting

(N=769)

For: 34%

Against: 37%

Will not vote on this question (Volunteered).... *

Not sure: 29%

All

(N=798)

For: 33%

Against: 36%

Will not vote on this question (Volunteered).... 4%

Not sure: 28%

(All voters outside of Congressional District 1 skip to Q.18 or Q.21.)

 
 

1st Congressional District

(Congressional District 1 only):

15. If the election for Congress were held today, and the candidates were (rotate): [Andy Harris the Republican (or) Frank Kratovil the Democrat], for whom would you vote? (If initially undecided): Do you lean towards one of them at this time?

 1^st District

(N=520)

Kratovil support: 39%

Harris support: 38%

Kratovil lean: 1%

Harris lean: 2%

Kratovil (Total)............. 40%

Harris (Total).............. 40%

Will not vote (Volunteered): 1%

Refused to say (Volunteered): 5%

Totally undecided/Not sure: 14%

 
(If supports either candidate):

16. Is your support for {candidate mentioned} firm, or could you still change your mind?

Kratovil

Firm: 75%

Could change mind: 24%

Not sure/Refused: *%

Harris

Firm: 80%

Could change mind: 19%

Not sure/Refused: 2%

(If undecided):

17. If you were to use just a word or a short phrase to say what factor will help you make up your mind, what would it be? (See open-ended verbatim responses at end of Questionnaire.)

Economy/ Jobs: 20%

Further information on candidate’s positions/record: 12%

More positive advertising/less negativity: 9%

Honesty/integrity of candidate: 6%

Education: 4%

Health care: 4%

I’m against Democrats/I’m a conservative: 3%

Environment: 3%

Start over with new people: 3%

Taxes: 3%

Other: 17%

Don’t know/not sure : 25%

(All voters outside of Anne Arundel skip to Q.21.)

 
Anne Arundel Question A

(Anne Arundel only):

18. Currently, video lottery facilities – or slots – are not allowed anywhere in Anne Arundel County. If Question A is approved, it will approve zoning that will allow slots at an industrial park or regional commercial complex – like the proposed site near Arundel Mills Mall.  Do you plan to vote for or against Question A?

Voting

(N=418)

For: 47%

Against: 45%

Will not vote on this question (Volunteered): *

Not sure: 8%

All

(N=422)

For: 47%

Against: 44%

Will not vote on this question (Volunteered): 1%

Not sure: 8%

 

19. Do you feel you understand Question A, or do you find it confusing?

Understand it: 87%

Find it confusing: 10%

Not sure: 3%

20. No matter how you plan to vote on Question A, do you think it is most appropriate to locate slots (rotate): [at the mall, at the track], or not to have slots at all?

Mall: 27%

Track: 38%

Not at all: 18%

Don’t care/Either location is OK (Volunteered): 10%

Not sure: 7%

 

Hot Buttons

(All):

21. Would you favor or oppose adding so-called table games like blackjack, roulette, and craps to Maryland’s slots facilities?

Favor: 42%

Oppose: 43%

Not sure: 14%

 
22. Imagine for a minute that the Redskins and Ravens were to meet in the Super Bowl. If that happened, who would you root for?

Ravens: 51%

Redskins: 31%

Root for both (Volunteered): 1%

Don’t care (Volunteered): 12%

Not sure: 5%

 
23. Have you seen the new Maryland license plate that features Fort McHenry and bombs bursting in air?  (If yes): Compared to the other Maryland license plates that are available, do you like the new design more, less, or about the same?

Like it more: 23%

Less: 12%

Same: 19%

Don’t care/Not sure (Volunteered): 6%

Have not seen it/Not sure if seen it: 40%

 


Classification

24. The last two questions are meant to classify the survey only.  What is the last grade of school that you completed? (DO NOT READ categories.)

Did not finish high school: 3%

High school degree: 21%

Some college/Associate’s degree: 21%

4-year college degree/Bachelor’s degree: 29%

Post-graduate work: 25%

Not sure/Refused: 1%

 
25. What is your race or ethnic background?  (Randomize): [White, African-American, Hispanic, Asian], mixed race, or some other?

White: 71%

African-American: 19%

Hispanic: 1%

Asian: 1%

Mixed race: 2%

Other: 4%

Not sure/Refused: 3%

26. Sometimes a news reporter has an interest in calling back for additional comments.  Should they want to do that, can we provide them with your name and phone number?

Yes (Confirm name and phone number.): 44%

No/Not sure/Refused: 56%

 

27. Gender (by observation)

Female: 52%

Male: 48%

That’s all the questions I have.  Thank you for your time.  Good night/Goodbye.

 
(Code from Voter File):

28. Age (Based on BirthDate.)

Less than 35: 7%

35 to 49: 17%

50 to 64: 34%

65 or over: 41%

 
29.  Political Party

Dem: 57%

Rep: 30%

Ind/3rd (All others): 13%

 

Q11. (If leaning or undecided) If you were to use just a word or a short phrase to say what factor will help you make up your mind, what would it be?

ALREADY MADE UP. ECONOMY.

ANYBODY RUNNING MAKES A STATEMENT THAT IS TRUE. IT'S WILD TO WHAT THEY SAY THEY WILL DO.

BUSINESS DECISION.

CONSTITUTION VALUES. HONEST. YOU KNOW, EACH ONE WOULD STAND ALONE. THAT'S A ONE WORD RESPONSE.

CRIME.

CURRENT TRACK RECORD.

DEMOCRATS.

DISCUSS WITH MY SON.

DISCUSS, I'M PLEASED WITH ANYBODY.

ECONOMICS.

ECONOMY.

ECONOMY.

ECONOMY.

EDUCATION.

EDUCATION.

EDUCATION.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. BEING PRO-BUSINESS FOR THE STATE ECONOMY AND JOBS

FINDING OUT MORE ON WHAT THEY STAND FOR AND WHAT THEY ARE CHANGING.

GETTING A JOB.

HEAR MORE ABOUT THE ISSUES.

HEAR MORE DEBATES.

HONESTY AND QUIT TALKING ABOUT WHAT THE OTHER IS DOING. QUIT THE NEGATIVE AND TELL ME WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO. I ALREADY KNOW WHAT TO DO. I LOST MY HOUSE AND MY JOB, TELL ME WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO.

HONESTY OF THE CANDIDATE.

HONESTY, THE CANDIDATES ARE SAYING HALF OF WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS WHEN YOU ADD UP NUMBERS. YOU CAN SAY WHAT YOU WANT, BOTH PARTIES ARE DOING IT. I SAW A DEBATE LAST ON O'MALLEY AND HE SAID HE DID NOT RAISE THE TUITION. AND THE SCHOOL HAS TO RAISE THE RATES FOR STUDENTS OUT OF STATE AND IN STATE, NOT ACTUALLY NUMBERS. BUT THAT WOULD BE ONE NON TRUTH. THAT'S THE KIND OF STUFF. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT EHRLICH.

HONESTY.

HONESTY.

HONESTY.

I  DON'T KNOW.

I AM AGAINST GAY MARRIAGE AND ABORTIONS, SO DEPENDING ON WHAT THEY SAY ON THOSE KINDS OF ISSUES.

I DON'T KNOW TODAY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WOULD BE.

I DON'T KNOW YET.

I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW.  I WILL HAVE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEM.

I GUESS INTEGRITY.

I HAVE NO IDEA.

I HAVE NO IDEA.

I NEED TO READ MORE ABOUT ALL OF IT.

I REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY. I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY WILL APPROVE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL MAKE ME LEAN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

I REALLY DON'T KNOW.

I THINK THE ECONOMY IS THE MAIN FACTOR RIGHT NOW.

I WANT TO MAKE THEM STAND BY THEIR CONVICTIONS.

I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT PLATE BECAUSE OF VEGETATIVE CAMPAIGNING.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. THEY MADE DEALS WITH THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT TO COME OVER HERE, THEY SHOULD GO BACK TO MEXICO.

I'M A TEACHER AND HOW IT WOULD AFFECT ME BECAUSE IT IS MY PROFESSION AND THAT IS THE REASON I WOULD LEAN TOWARD O'MALLEY. BUT BECAUSE OF HIS STAND ON EDUCATION, IT IS SWAYING ME.

I'M NOT INTERESTED.

IMPROVEMENT.

INDEPENDENT THOUGHT.

INTUITION.

I'VE MADE UP MY MIND.

JOB SITUATION. ECONOMY.

MORE INFORMATION ON BOTH.

MORE INFORMATION.

MORE SCRUTINY OF BOTH CANDIDATES' RECORDS AS GOVERNOR.

MORE STATE FUNDS.

NEW GOVERNMENT.

NO NEGATIVE ADVERTISING. THE PERSON WHO USES IT WOULDN'T GET MY VOTE.

NONE.

NONE.

NONE.

NOTHING.

PERSONAL VALUES.

PLATFORMS.

PRAYER.

PRICES AND GOVERNMENT SPENDING.

PUTTING PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.

READING MORE ABOUT THINGS THAT THEY DO.

SOMEONE THAT HAS A POSITIVE CAMPAIGN AD INSTEAD OF NEGATIVITY. TODAY'S POLITICS IS A MESS AND THEY FORGOT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK FOR THE COUNTRY AND NOT THEMSELVES. I THINK GREED IS THE OVERWHELMING FACTOR IN CONGRESS ANYMORE.

STANDS OF IMMIGRATION.

TAKING TIME TO DO THE RESEARCH.

TAXES AND WATERMEN ON THE EASTERN SHORE.

TAXES.

TAXES.

TAXES.

TAXES. HEATH CARE.

TELL ME WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

THE ECONOMY AND JOBS.

THE ECONOMY, THE STATE OF IT.

THE ECONOMY.

THE ENVIRONMENT.

THE TRUTH NEITHER ONE OF THEM ARE TELLING IN THE ADS. THE WORD WILL BE TRUTH.

THEY NEED TO START HELPING THE PEOPLE, NOT JUST MARYLAND, THE WHOLE PLACE.

WAYS IMPROVE THE ECONOMY.

WELL, I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU THAT.

WHO LIVES TO ELECTION DAY.

WHO WILL SAVE MONEY.

 

Q17.  (If undecided) If you were to use just a word or a short phrase to say what factor will help you make up your mind, what would it be?

A PERSON WHO IS MORE OF A NOVICE.

AGAIN, I AM NOT SURE.

AGAINST DEMOCRATS.

COMMON SENSE.

CONSERVATIVE.

ECONOMY AND HEALTH CARE.

ECONOMY.

EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENT.

EDUCATION ISSUES.

ENVIRONMENT.

FURTHER CLARIFICATION OF HARRIS'S POSITION.

GET RID OF ALL THE PEOPLE AND START WITH NEW HONEST PEOPLE.

GET US OUT OF THE MONEY TROUBLE.

HEALTHCARE AND JOBS.

HONESTY.

I CAN'T SAY THAT THERE IS ONE THING THAT WOULD MAKE ME MAKE UP MY MIND. I JUST DON'T KNOW. I'M UNDECIDED.

I DON'T KNOW AT THIS POINT. I'M GOING BACK FORTH. I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE YET.

I DON'T KNOW THAT EITHER.

I DON'T KNOW WHO IT IS.

I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T NEED MORE INFORMATION. THERE ARE THINGS I DON'T LIKE ABOUT EITHER ONE. I MAY NOT VOTE FOR EITHER ONE.

I GUESS MORE INFORMATION ON THEM.

I GUESS SEE VIEWS ON ECONOMY AND JOBS.

I HAVE NO CLUE.

I HAVE NO IDEA.

I NEED TO RESEARCH.

I NOT GONE JUST DECIDED.

I REALLY DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER.

I REALLY DON'T KNOW, I'M NOT SURE.

I THINK I'D VOTE FOR O'MALLEY.

I'M MAD AT KRATOVIL. I'M NOT HAPPY WITH WHAT HE DID. WE NEED HEALTH CARE IN THIS COUNTRY. WATERED DOWN BILL, I BLAME HIM FOR THE WATERED DOWN BILL. I'M UPSET WITH DEMOCRATS. WE NEED A HEALTH PLAN. I HAD TO TAKE AN EARLY RETIREMENT AND I LOST MY HEALTH CARE.

I'M NOT REALLY SURE.

INFORMATION.

INFORMATION.

IT WOULD NOT BE ADVERTISING. I FIND IT ANNOYING AND OFFENSIVE.

JOBS FOR THE PEOPLE.

JOBS.

JUSTICE.

LESS NEGATIVE ADVERTISING. MORE POSITIVE ADVERTISING OF WHAT THEY HAD DONE, NOT WHAT THEIR OPPONENT HAS DONE.

LOW TAXES.

MY MIND IS MADE UP ON WHAT I WILL VOTE ON.

MY MIND IS MADE UP.

NEGATIVE POLITICS.

NEITHER ONE.

NO ANSWER.

PLATFORMS.

PROBABLY FINANCIAL STABILITY.

RECORD.

SPECIAL EDUCATION.

STOP NEGATIVE ADVERTISING ON BOTH SIDES.

STOP THE MUDSLINGING. TELL THE TRUTH FOR A CHANGE.

TAXES AND WHAT THEIR PLANS ARE THERE AND HOW THEY ARE SUPPORTING THE HORSE INDUSTRY.

THAT'S TOUGH. I SIT THERE AND LOOK AT THEM ON TV AND LOOK AT THE FACIAL EXPRESSION AND SEE THE ONE THAT IS MOST HONEST.

THE ECONOMY JOBS.

THE ECONOMY, JOBS.

THE ECONOMY.

THE ECONOMY.

THERE AGAIN, IT WOULD BE HONESTY. MOST OF THEM ARE NOT REAL HONEST.

THEY TALK ABOUT THE NEGATIVE. CITY, TALK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CITY. EACH ONE IS TALKING ABOUT WHAT THE OTHER IS DOING.

TRUTHFULLY I DON'T KNOW.

UNEMPLOYMENT, WE NEED JOBS. PEOPLE NEED TO GET BACK TO WORK.

VOTING RECORD.

WHAT I READ IN THE NEWSPAPERS.

WHICHEVER CANDIDATE HAS LESS NEGATIVE ADVERTISING.

WHOEVER APPEARS TO BE ON THE SIDE OF THE WORKING PEOPLE.

WHOEVER IS MOST FOR THE PEOPLE AND NOT FOR THEMSELVES.

YES.