New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s job rating has improved since the state budget was signed, sealed, and line-item vetoed. The latest Monmouth University/NJ Press Media Poll found most state residents are okay with the governor’s controversial cuts. However, there has been a decline in the grades he gets for controlling costs and property tax relief.
Governor Christie currently earns a 48% approve to 42% disapprove job rating among all Garden State residents. Among registered voters, his rating stands at 50% approve to 41% disapprove. This is the first time he has hit the 50% mark in the Monmouth University/NJ Press Media Poll since taking office. It is also the first time since early April that he broke 50% approval in any non-partisan New Jersey poll.
Polls during this past spring showed opinion of the governor declining after he unveiled his budget plan. In fact, the last Monmouth University/NJ Press Media Poll in May had the governor’s rating in net negative territory -46% to 49% among registered voters. Christie’s job approval rating among voters has since increased by 4 points while his disapproval number has gone down by 8 points.
The governor’s decision to veto more than $1 billion in spending from the legislature’s budget may have caused an uproar among Democrats, but most New Jerseyans appear to accept his decision even if they may not like it. Among residents who followed the budget debate, 33% say they were dissatisfied with the governor’s line-item cuts compared to fewer (22%) who say they were satisfied by his veto choices. Another 42% say they can live the cuts he made even though they are not particularly satisfied with them.
While the governor’s job rating has gone up, the legislature’s has remained flat – 35% approve to 47% disapprove. Most Garden State residents (63%) continue to feel that the Republican governor and the Democratic legislative leadership have not been working together well, although more are now likely to blame both sides equally (61%) than were a few months ago (54%). Among the remainder, 19% blame Christie more and 16% blame the Democrats more.
“Overall, the public has never been particularly happy with the size of the cuts Governor Christie has made in either of his budgets. However, they recognize New Jersey is in dire economic straits and continue to give the governor positive marks for leadership,” said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute. “How he performs on the individual issues important to state residents is still very much up in the air.”
New Jerseyans were asked to grade their governor in the areas of education, controlling costs, and property taxes. Just over 18 months into his term, Christie’s grades on improving the state’s schools have remained stable, although not stellar: 28% give him an above average grade of A or B, 26% grade him a C and 40% give him a low grade of D or F. These results are very similar to polls taken at the governor’s 6 month and one year marks.
Christie’s grades on controlling costs and cutting waste have slipped in the past six months. He currently earns an A or B in this area from 34% of residents, a C from 34%, and a D or F from 28%. The proportion of residents giving him an above average grade has slipped from 41% in February and 43% in July of last year. Most of that drop has shifted to an average C grade, while the percentage of poor D and F grades remained stable over the past year and a half.
The governor’s grades on providing property tax relief have also experienced a drop. Currently, just 20% of New Jerseyans give him an A or B in this area, 30% give him a C, and 43% say he’s only earned a D or F. Christie’s grades in this area have steadily declined. Six months ago, 24% of the public gave him an above average grade and just over one year ago, 31% gave him an A or B.
Currently, 35% of New Jerseyans say it is at least somewhat likely that they will see significant property tax relief in the next few years, compared to 61% who say it is not really likely. While the current level of optimism is five points lower than in February (40%), it is higher than it was in September 2010 (22%). The high point for optimism about property taxes during Christie’s term so far occurred just over a year ago in July 2010 (49%).
“The public’s outlook on property taxes has been on a roller coaster ride since Governor Christie took office,” said Murray. “Pessimism over property taxes has not been a noticeable drag on the governor’s overall job rating, but it’s difficult to shake the sense that it hangs over him like a Sword of Damocles. The big question is whether opinion will shift in a year or two as voters start to consider whether Christie deserves a second term.”
Almost no residents think that state government has made a lot of progress on the property tax issue, although a majority of 52% say it has made at least a little progress (which includes 3% who say a “lot” and another 49% who say a “little”). This compares to a sizable 43% who feel the state has made no progress on property taxes. There are no significant partisan differences in this opinion – 57% of Republicans, 52% of Democrats and 51% of independents say the state has made at least a little progress.
Turning locally – where property tax rates are actually set – the outlook is similar. Less than 1-in-10 say that either their town or local school district has made a lot of progress on property taxes in the past few years. In total, just under half (48%) say that their municipal government has made at least a little progress on this issue compared to 46% who say it has made no progress. Opinion about how school districts have performed on property taxes is similar – 45% say at least a little progress to 45% no progress.
While much of the media attention about property taxes has focused on reforms proposed at the state level, it is at the local level where New Jerseyans really make their opinions known. When asked who they would contact first with a general complaint about property taxes, half of state residents identify a local official while only 1-in-5 name a state office holder. Specifically, 27% would contact their town hall or town council directly, 17% would call the mayor, and 6% would seek out their local tax collector or tax assessor. At the state level, 11% would contact the governor and 10% would contact a state legislator.
Interestingly, while the largest portion of New Jersey homeowners’ tax bills are school taxes, only 1% say their first call would be to their school district. This is lower even than the number who would try to contact someone at the county level (3%), which contributes a smaller share to property tax bills.
The Monmouth University/NJ Press Media Poll was conducted by telephone with 802 New Jersey adults from August 3 to 8, 2011. This sample has a margin of error of ± 3.5 percent. The poll was conducted by the Monmouth University Polling Institute and originally published by the New Jersey Press Media newspaper group (Asbury Park Press, Courier-Post, Courier News, Daily Journal, Daily Record, and Home News Tribune).
DATA TABLES
The questions referred to in this release are as follows:
(* Some columns may not add to 100% due to rounding.)
1. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Chris Christie is doing as governor? [PROBE: Do you approve/disapprove strongly or somewhat?]
|
TOTAL | REGISTERED VOTER | PARTY ID | GENDER | PUBLIC | ||||||||
Yes | No | Dem | Ind | Rep | Male | Female | Yes | No | ||||
| Strongly approve | 21% | 23% | 11% | 6% | 22% | 46% | 27% | 16% | 12% | 24% | ||
| Somewhat approve | 27% | 27% | 24% | 30% | 22% | 32% | 25% | 29% | 16% | 29% | ||
| Somewhat disapprove | 16% | 14% | 27% | 19% | 18% | 5% | 14% | 18% | 14% | 17% | ||
| Strongly disapprove | 26% | 27% | 21% | 36% | 28% | 10% | 23% | 30% | 53% | 20% | ||
| (VOL) Don’t know | 9% | 8% | 17% | 8% | 10% | 7% | 11% | 7% | 4% | 11% | ||
| Unwtd N | 802 | 730 | 72 | 237 | 363 | 168 | 412 | 390 | 185 | 611 | ||
| TREND: All adults | Aug. 2011 | May 2011 | Feb. 2011 | Sept. 2010 | July 2010 | April 2010 | Feb. 2010 |
| Approve | 48% | 47% | 47% | 45% | 44% | 41% | 33% |
| Disapprove | 42% | 49% | 40% | 38% | 44% | 44% | 15% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 9% | 5% | 12% | 17% | 12% | 15% | 52% |
| Unwtd N | 802 | 807 | 801 | 801 | 801 | 804 | 803 |
| TREND: Registered voters | Aug. 2011 | May 2011 | Feb. 2011 | Sept. 2010 | July 2010 | April 2010 | Feb. 2010 |
| Approve | 50% | 46% | 49% | 44% | 45% | 42% | 31% |
| Disapprove | 41% | 49% | 41% | 40% | 43% | 44% | 15% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 8% | 5% | 9% | 16% | 12% | 13% | 53% |
| Unwtd N | 730 | 725 | 718 | 726 | 747 | 719 | 716 |
2. Do you approve or disapprove of the job the state legislature is doing?
|
TOTAL | REGISTERED VOTER | PARTY ID | GENDER |
PUBLIC | ||||||||
|
Yes | No | Dem | Ind | Rep | Male | Female | Yes |
No | ||||
| Approve | 35% | 35% | 33% | 38% | 28% | 45% | 34% | 36% | 26% | 37% | ||
| Disapprove | 47% | 48% | 38% | 45% | 50% | 41% | 47% | 46% | 55% | 44% | ||
| (VOL) Don’t know | 19% | 17% | 29% | 17% | 22% | 14% | 19% | 19% | 18% | 19% | ||
| Unwtd N | 802 | 730 | 72 | 237 | 363 | 168 | 412 | 390 | 185 | 611 | ||
| TREND: All Adults | Aug. 2011 | May 2011 | Feb. 2011 | July 2010 | April 2010 | Feb. 2010 | July 2009 | Feb. 2009 | Sept. 2008 | July 2008 | April 2008 | March 2008 | Oct. 2007 | Feb. 2007 |
| Approve | 35% | 33% | 30% | 24% | 20% | 26% | 30% | 25% | 29% | 27% | 29% | 28% | 33% | 35% |
| Disapprove | 47% | 47% | 44% | 49% | 56% | 46% | 47% | 52% | 47% | 45% | 53% | 50% | 41% | 40% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 19% | 20% | 26% | 27% | 24% | 28% | 23% | 23% | 23% | 28% | 18% | 22% | 26% | 25% |
| Unwtd N | 802 | 807 | 801 | 801 | 804 | 803 | 923 | 803 | 808 | 1004 | 803 | 805 | 801 | 801 |
| TREND: Registered Voters | Aug. 2011 | May 2011 | Feb. 2011 | July 2010 | April 2010 | Feb. 2010 | July 2009 | Feb. 2009 | Sept. 2008 | July 2008 | April 2008 | March 2008 | Oct. 2007 | Feb. 2007 |
| Approve | 35% | 32% | 29% | 25% | 19% | 24% | 31% | 23% | 29% | 27% | 28% | 25% | 32% | 34% |
| Disapprove | 48% | 48% | 45% | 49% | 57% | 49% | 48% | 55% | 50% | 47% | 55% | 53% | 43% | 42% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 17% | 20% | 26% | 26% | 24% | 27% | 22% | 22% | 21% | 26% | 17% | 22% | 25% | 23% |
| Unwtd N | 730 | 725 | 718 | 747 | 719 | 716 | 792 | 721 | 709 | 889 | 720 | 719 | 688 | 681 |
3. I’d like you to grade the Christie administration on how it has handled specific issues over the past year. For each one I read, please give a letter grade of A, B, C, D or F for failing. What grade would you give the Christie administration for [READ ITEM]? [ITEMS WERE ROTATED]
Controlling costs and cutting waste
|
TOTAL | REGISTERED VOTER | PARTY ID | GENDER |
PUBLIC | ||||||||
|
Yes | No | Dem | Ind | Rep | Male | Female | Yes |
No | ||||
| A – Highest grade | 12% | 12% | 10% | 5% | 11% | 27% | 15% | 9% | 5% | 14% | ||
| B | 22% | 22% | 21% | 20% | 21% | 25% | 21% | 22% | 16% | 23% | ||
| C | 34% | 33% | 42% | 39% | 32% | 30% | 36% | 33% | 31% | 35% | ||
| D | 14% | 15% | 9% | 19% | 16% | 5% | 11% | 17% | 19% | 13% | ||
| F – Failing grade | 14% | 14% | 12% | 12% | 18% | 10% | 14% | 13% | 25% | 11% | ||
| (VOL) Don’t know | 4% | 4% | 6% | 6% | 2% | 3% | 4% | 5% | 4% | 4% | ||
| Unwtd N |
802 | 730 | 72 | 237 | 363 | 168 | 412 | 390 | 185 |
611 | ||
| TREND: | Aug. 2011 | Feb. 2011 | July 2010 |
| A – Highest grade | 12% | 18% | 21% |
| B | 22% | 23% | 22% |
| C | 34% | 27% | 24% |
| D | 14% | 13% | 12% |
| F – Failing grade | 14% | 14% | 15% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 4% | 4% | 6% |
| Unwtd N | 802 | 801 | 801 |
Providing property tax relief
|
TOTAL | REGISTERED VOTER | PARTY ID | GENDER |
PUBLIC | ||||||||
|
Yes | No | Dem | Ind | Rep | Male | Female | Yes |
No | ||||
| A – Highest grade | 4% | 5% | 3% | 2% | 5% | 9% | 5% | 4% | 1% | 5% | ||
| B | 16% | 16% | 18% | 14% | 16% | 19% | 18% | 14% | 11% | 17% | ||
| C | 30% | 31% | 28% | 34% | 28% | 29% | 30% | 30% | 24% | 32% | ||
| D | 17% | 18% | 10% | 17% | 14% | 20% | 15% | 18% | 16% | 17% | ||
| F – Failing grade | 26% | 26% | 27% | 26% | 32% | 17% | 24% | 28% | 43% | 22% | ||
| (VOL) Don’t know | 6% | 5% | 14% | 6% | 5% | 7% | 8% | 5% | 4% | 7% | ||
| Unwtd N |
802 | 730 | 72 | 237 | 363 | 168 | 412 | 390 | 185 |
611 | ||
| TREND: | Aug. 2011 | Feb. 2011 | July 2010 |
| A – Highest grade | 4% | 5% | 10% |
| B | 16% | 19% | 21% |
| C | 30% | 24% | 24% |
| D | 17% | 18% | 15% |
| F – Failing grade | 26% | 27% | 23% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 6% | 8% | 6% |
| Unwtd N |
802 | 801 |
801 |
Improving our schools
|
TOTAL | REGISTERED VOTER | PARTY ID | GENDER |
PUBLIC | ||||||||
| Yes | No | Dem | Ind | Rep | Male | Female | Yes | No | ||||
| A – Highest grade | 8% | 7% | 13% | 3% | 11% | 12% | 11% | 6% | 1% | 10% | ||
| B | 20% | 21% | 19% | 19% | 16% | 33% | 23% | 17% | 7% | 24% | ||
| C | 26% | 27% | 22% | 23% | 27% | 30% | 25% | 27% | 24% | 26% | ||
| D | 17% | 16% | 18% | 21% | 15% | 10% | 16% | 17% | 19% | 16% | ||
| F – Failing grade | 23% | 23% | 24% | 30% | 27% | 8% | 19% | 28% | 44% | 19% | ||
| (VOL) Don’t know | 5% | 5% | 5% | 4% | 5% | 6% | 6% | 5% | 5% | 5% | ||
| Unwtd N |
802 | 730 | 72 | 237 | 363 | 168 | 412 | 390 | 185 |
611 | ||
| TREND: | Aug. 2011 | Feb. 2011 | July 2010 |
| A – Highest grade | 8% | 10% | 12% |
| B | 20% | 22% | 17% |
| C | 26% | 22% | 22% |
| D | 17% | 15% | 12% |
| F – Failing grade | 23% | 26% | 32% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 5% | 5% | 5% |
| Unwtd N |
802 | 801 |
801 |
4. Thinking about Chris Christie’s term as governor so far, would you say that he has major accomplishments, minor accomplishments, or no real accomplishments to point to?
|
TOTAL | REGISTERED VOTER | PARTY ID | GENDER |
PUBLIC | ||||||||
|
Yes | No | Dem | Ind | Rep | Male | Female | Yes |
No | ||||
| Major accomplishments | 24% | 26% | 9% | 15% | 23% | 43% | 28% | 19% | 19% | 25% | ||
| Minor accomplishments | 40% | 40% | 41% | 42% | 38% | 40% | 43% | 37% | 34% | 41% | ||
| No real accomplishments | 34% | 32% | 42% | 41% | 36% | 16% | 24% | 43% | 45% | 31% | ||
| (VOL) Don’t know | 3% | 2% | 7% | 2% | 3% | 0% | 4% | 1% | 1% | 3% | ||
| Unwtd N |
802 | 730 | 72 | 237 | 363 | 168 | 412 | 390 | 185 |
611 | ||
| TREND: | Aug. 2011 | May 2011 | Feb. 2011 |
| Major accomplishments | 24% | 23% | 25% |
| Minor accomplishments | 40% | 40% | 39% |
| No real accomplishments | 34% | 34% | 34% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 3% | 2% | 2% |
| Unwtd N |
802 | 807 |
801 |
5. The legislature passed the state budget a few weeks ago. Before signing it, Governor Christie vetoed more than one billion dollars in programs and other spending. How much did you hear or read about the governor’s veto decision – a lot, a little, or nothing at all?
|
TOTAL | REGISTERED VOTER | PARTY ID | GENDER |
PUBLIC | ||||||
|
Yes | No | Dem | Ind | Rep | Male | Female | Yes |
No | ||
| A lot | 22% | 24% | 12% | 23% | 25% | 19% | 25% | 19% | 35% | 19% |
| A little | 49% | 51% | 36% | 52% | 43% | 56% | 44% | 54% | 49% | 49% |
| Nothing at all | 27% | 23% | 50% | 25% | 30% | 25% | 29% | 25% | 16% | 30% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 1% | 1% | 3% | 0% | 1% | 0% | 1% | 1% | 0% | 2% |
| Unwtd N |
802 | 730 | 72 | 237 | 363 | 168 | 412 | 390 | 185 |
611 |
[The following question was asked only of people who were aware of the veto decision: moe=+/-4.0%]
6. How would you describe your reaction to the governor’s veto decision – would you say you are satisfied with his veto choices, not particularly satisfied but you can live with it, or you are definitely dissatisfied with his veto choices?
|
TOTAL | REGISTERED VOTER | PARTY ID | GENDER |
PUBLIC | ||||||
|
Yes | No | Dem | Ind | Rep | Male | Female | Yes |
No | ||
| Satisfied | 22% | 23% | 14% | 7% | 22% | 45% | 28% | 17% | 13% | 25% |
| Can live with it | 42% | 41% | 50% | 45% | 39% | 42% | 46% | 38% | 31% | 45% |
| Dissatisfied | 33% | 33% | 31% | 44% | 36% | 11% | 25% | 41% | 54% | 27% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 3% | 3% | 5% | 4% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 4% | 2% | 3% |
| Unwtd N |
608 | 570 | 38 | 184 | 272 | 130 | 311 | 297 | 156 |
448 |
7. In general, have Governor Christie and Democratic leaders in the legislature been working together well or not so well?
|
TOTAL | REGISTERED VOTER | PARTY ID | GENDER |
PUBLIC | ||||||
|
Yes | No | Dem | Ind | Rep | Male | Female | Yes |
No | ||
| Well | 18% | 18% | 19% | 20% | 16% | 25% | 20% | 17% | 13% | 20% |
| Not so well | 63% | 64% | 58% | 61% | 67% | 59% | 60% | 65% | 74% | 60% |
| (VOL) Mixed/Depends | 9% | 11% | 1% | 12% | 8% | 11% | 11% | 8% | 4% | 11% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 9% | 7% | 22% | 8% | 10% | 6% | 9% | 10% | 9% | 9% |
| Unwtd N |
802 | 730 | 72 | 237 | 363 | 168 | 412 | 390 | 185 |
611 |
| Aug. 2011 | May 2011 | Sept. 2010 | |
| Well | 18% | 22% | 21% |
| Not so well | 63% | 66% | 61% |
| (VOL) Mixed/Depends | 9% | 3% | 4% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 9% | 9% | 14% |
| Unwtd N |
802 | 807 |
801 |
[The following question was asked only of those who said “Not so well” to Q7, moe= ±4.0%]
8. Who is more to blame for this – Christie, the Democrats, or both equally?
|
TOTAL | REGISTERED |VOTER | PARTY ID | GENDER |
PUBLIC | ||||||
|
Yes | No | Dem | Ind | Rep | Male | Female | Yes |
No | ||
| Christie | 19% | 20% | 17% | 26% | 19% | 8% | 16% | 22% | 31% | 16% |
| Democrats | 16% | 16% | 18% | 4% | 15% | 39% | 21% | 11% | 8% | 18% |
| Both equally | 61% | 61% | 64% | 64% | 64% | 51% | 60% | 62% | 60% | 62% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 3% | 4% | 1% | 6% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 5% | 1% | 4% |
| Unwtd N |
590 | 547 | 43 | 180 | 270 | 118 | 295 | 295 | 147 |
437 |
| Aug. 2011 | May 2011 | Sept. 2010 | |
| Christie | 19% | 25% | 26% |
| Democrats | 16% | 20% | 17% |
| Both equally | 61% | 54% | 54% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 3% | 1% | 3% |
| Unwtd N | 590 | 563 | 510 |
9. How likely is it that the state will enact reforms in the next few years to significantly lower property taxes – very, somewhat, not too, or not at all likely?
|
TOTAL | REGISTERED VOTER | PARTY ID | GENDER |
PUBLIC | ||||||
|
Yes | No | Dem | Ind | Rep | Male | Female | Yes |
No | ||
| Very likely | 4% | 5% | 4% | 2% | 6% | 6% | 5% | 4% | 4% | 5% |
| Somewhat likely | 31% | 30% | 33% | 34% | 27% | 35% | 33% | 28% | 26% | 32% |
| Not too likely | 28% | 28% | 25% | 32% | 25% | 23% | 24% | 31% | 29% | 27% |
| Not at all likely | 33% | 33% | 32% | 28% | 38% | 34% | 34% | 32% | 36% | 32% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 4% | 4% | 6% | 4% | 5% | 2% | 3% | 5% | 5% | 4% |
| Unwtd N |
802 | 730 | 72 | 237 | 363 | 168 | 412 | 390 | 185 |
611 |
| TREND: | Aug. 2011 | Feb. 2011 | Sept. 2010 | July 2010 | Feb. 2010 | April 2006 |
| Very likely | 4% | 8% | 3% | 10% | 8% | 6% |
| Somewhat likely | 31% | 32% | 19% | 39% | 34% | 20% |
| Not too likely | 28% | 24% | 22% | 18% | 29% | 17% |
| Not at all likely | 33% | 31% | 53% | 30% | 27% | 51% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 4% | 3% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 5% |
| Unwtd N |
802 | 801 | 801 | 801 | 803 |
803 |
[QUESTIONS 10, 11, AND 12 WERE ROTATED]
10. Has state government made a lot of progress, a little progress, or no progress on property taxes in the past few years?
|
TOTAL | REGISTERED VOTER | PARTY ID | GENDER |
PUBLIC | ||||||
|
Yes | No | Dem | Ind | Rep | Male | Female | Yes |
No | ||
| Lot of progress | 3% | 3% | 1% | 3% | 2% | 5% | 4% | 2% | 1% | 3% |
| Little progress | 49% | 48% | 56% | 49% | 49% | 52% | 48% | 51% | 44% | 50% |
| No progress | 43% | 46% | 30% | 42% | 46% | 41% | 44% | 43% | 50% | 42% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 5% | 3% | 13% | 7% | 3% | 2% | 5% | 5% | 6% | 5% |
| Unwtd N |
802 | 730 | 72 | 237 | 363 | 168 | 412 | 390 | 185 |
611 |
11. Has your local town government made a lot of progress, a little progress, or no progress on property taxes in the past few years?
|
TOTAL | REGISTERED VOTER | PARTY ID | GENDER |
PUBLIC | ||||||
|
Yes | No | Dem | Ind | Rep | Male | Female | Yes |
No | ||
| Lot of progress | 7% | 7% | 5% | 9% | 4% | 9% | 9% | 6% | 6% | 7% |
| Little progress | 41% | 42% | 37% | 43% | 37% | 47% | 39% | 43% | 35% | 43% |
| No progress | 46% | 46% | 47% | 42% | 52% | 40% | 46% | 46% | 52% | 44% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 6% | 5% | 11% | 6% | 6% | 4% | 6% | 5% | 7% | 5% |
| Unwtd N |
802 | 730 | 72 | 237 | 363 | 168 | 412 | 390 | 185 |
611 |
12. Has your local school district made a lot of progress, a little progress, or no progress on property taxes in the past few years?
|
TOTAL | REGISTERED VOTER | PARTY ID | GENDER |
PUBLIC | ||||||
|
Yes | No | Dem | Ind | Rep | Male | Female | Yes |
No | ||
| Lot of progress | 7% | 7% | 5% | 6% | 6% | 10% | 8% | 6% | 9% | 7% |
| Little progress | 38% | 36% | 50% | 39% | 39% | 36% | 37% | 39% | 33% | 39% |
| No progress | 45% | 47% | 31% | 44% | 45% | 44% | 45% | 44% | 49% | 43% |
| (VOL) Don’t know | 11% | 10% | 15% | 11% | 10% | 10% | 11% | 11% | 10% | 11% |
| Unwtd N | 802 | 730 | 72 | 237 | 363 | 168 | 412 | 390 | 185 | 611 |
13. If you had a general complaint about property taxes, who would you contact FIRST? [LIST WAS NOT READ]
|
TOTAL | REGISTERED VOTER | PARTY ID | GENDER |
PUBLIC | ||||||
|
Yes | No | Dem | Ind | Rep | Male | Female | Yes |
No | ||
| Mayor | 17% | 17% | 20% | 25% | 15% | 9% | 17% | 17% | 12% | 18% |
| Town, town council | 27% | 28% | 20% | 24% | 27% | 32% | 24% | 31% | 27% | 27% |
| Tax collector/assessor | 6% | 7% | 1% | 7% | 5% | 7% | 5% | 8% | 7% | 6% |
| School, school district | 1% | 1% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 3% | 1% | 0% | 2% | 1% |
| County | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 4% | 1% | 4% | 2% | 7% | 2% |
| Governor | 11% | 11% | 13% | 10% | 12% | 14% | 12% | 11% | 12% | 12% |
| State legislator | 10% | 11% | 3% | 10% | 11% | 10% | 10% | 10% | 14% | 9% |
| Congressman | 2% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 1% |
| Other | 1% | 1% | 3% | 0% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 1% | 2% | 1% |
| No one (do not pay taxes) | 8% | 8% | 8% | 7% | 7% | 9% | 9% | 6% | 7% | 8% |
| Don’t know | 14% | 12% | 27% | 11% | 14% | 14% | 15% | 13% | 8% | 15% |
| Unwtd N |
802 | 730 | 72 | 237 | 363 | 168 | 412 | 390 | 185 |
611 |
The Monmouth University/NJ Press Media Poll was conducted by the Monmouth University Polling Institute on August 3 to 8, 2011 with a statewide random sample of 802 adult residents, including 640 contacted on a landline telephone and 162 on a cell phone. Sampling and interviewing services were provided by Braun Research, Inc. For results based on the total sample, one can say with 95% confidence that the error attributable to sampling has a maximum margin of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. Sampling error increases as the sample size decreases, so statements based on various population subgroups, such as separate figures reported by gender or party identification, are subject to more error than are statements based on the total sample. In addition to sampling error, one should bear in mind that question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of opinion polls.
|
POLL DEMOGRAPHICS (weighted) | |||
| 34% Dem | 49% Male | 30% 18-34 |
64% White |
| 21% Rep | 51% Female | 39% 35-54 |
13% Black |
| 45% Ind | 31% 55+ |
15% Hispanic | |
|
8% Asian/Other | |||
|
Registered Voter Sample (weighted) | |||
| 35% Dem | 47% Male | 25% 18-34 |
68% White |
| 22% Rep | 53% Female | 42% 35-54 |
14% Black |
| 43% Ind | 33% 55+ |
13% Hispanic | |
|
6% Asian/Other | |||
It is the Monmouth University Polling Institute’s policy to conduct surveys of all adult New Jersey residents, including voters and non-voters, on issues that affect the state. Specific voter surveys are conducted when appropriate during election cycles.
Click on pdf file link below for full methodology and results by key demographic groups.
