EPSY 5244 2004 Public Opinion Survey Survey

Does not apply

The national conventions played an important role in my thinking for whom to vote.

The presidential debates played an important role in my thinking for whom to vote.

I changed my preference for a candidate after the conventions.

I changed my preference for a candidate after the debates.

EPSY 5244 2004 Public Opinion Survey

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Welcome to the Survey

Perhaps two issues are the minds of many of us associated with the University, one close to home, and the other of national and international concern. The first issue is on hotly debated at the University, the goal of building a now on-campus football stadium. The second is related to the 2004 election, partly because this is a presidential election year and partly because of the primary of international issues for which the presidential candidates differ greatly.

Please provide us with your opinions on specific questions related to these issues. At the end, we will ask questions about your background to help us understand how opinions vary based on personal characteristics. Finally, there is space for any comments you would like to add about these or other issues.

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U of M Stadium

Answer each question regarding your opinions about the U of M stadium issue.

	Yes	No
I support building a football stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota.
If football games were held in a stadium on campus, I would spend more time on campus before or after the game.
If football games were held in a stadium on campus, I would be more likely to attend.
I have been following media reports about the U of M football stadium.
I have attended at least one athletic event at the University in the past 12 months.

How likely or unlikely would you support the following funding sources for a new University of Minnesota football stadium?

	Very Unlikely	Unlikely	Likely	Very Likely
State legislative funding
Corporate sponsorship
Sales tax increase
Private donations
Increased student fees

3.	If the University moves ahead with building a new stadium, where should they put it?
	Minneapolis Campus
	St. Paul Campus

Do you agree or disagree with the following?

	Disagree	Tend to disagree	Tend to agree	Agree
A new Gopher stadium at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus will contribute to the University's tri-part mission of research, teaching, and service.
A new football stadium on campus will enhance the image of the University of Minnesota.
Having a stadium on the University of Minnesota's campus will offer benefits to the university community beyond housing football games.

2004 Elections

5.	I think about the upcoming Presidential election
	A couple of times a day
	Once a day
	Every couple of days
	Less than once a week

6.	I use the following sources to stay up to date on the upcoming presidential election.
	Internet
	Magazines
	Newspapers
	Radio
	Signs and Posters
	Television
	Word of mouth

Please respond to the following questions about polls.

	Disagree	Tend to disagree	Tend to agree	Agree
Election polls accurately portray the nation's political views.
Election polls influence the outcomes of elections.
Polling data is reliable.

A Quiz on the Electoral College

In the United States of America, the president and vice president are not elected by the popular vote (individual votes), but indirectly through the Electoral College. The Electoral College is made up of individuals from each state and Washington DC that are selected to cast a vote on behalf of their state to elect the president and vice president. When voters vote for president, they are actually voting for the electors pledged to their presidential candidate. On occasion, however, electors defect, and do not follow the wishes of the popular vote from their state and cast their electoral vote for a different candidate.

Please respond to each of these questions about the Electoral College. If unsure, take your best guess.

	True	False
The minimum number of electors a state has is based on its number of members in the U.S. House of Representatives.
A defecting Elector has never decided a Presidential election
State law prohibits Electors from casting a vote that is different from the popular vote result.
The precise date for Congress to open and count the sealed Electoral College votes is mandated by the 12th Amendment of the Constitution.
Minnesota has 10 electoral votes.
The precise date for Electors to cast their Electoral College votes is set by Congress.
A presidential candidate needs a plurality of the votes cast (the largest number of votes) to win the Electoral College.
There is a Constitutional obligation for Electors to vote according to the state popular vote.
If a President fails to receive enough votes to win in the Electoral College, a joint session of Congress decides by a simple majority (50% + 1) of the individual members.
Defecting Electors have been prosecuted and fined for failing to vote according to the state popular vote.

9.	Are you eligible to vote?
	Yes No

This page is only displayed for Eligible Voters (Yes to #9). Page 3 of 4

Your Voting Experiences

Please respond to the following questions.

2.	The most important issue for me in the presidential election is
	the economy
	education
	the environment
	foreign policy
	health care
	Iraq
	jobs
	same sex marriage
	Other, please specify

If and when I vote, I vote to

	Yes	No	Not applicable
change my government.
encourage decisions about 1 specific issue.
exercise my responsibilities.
exercise my rights.
support my political party.
voice my opinions.

4.	Of all Minnnesota Political Parties, I am most closely affiliated with the following party.
	Christian Freedom Party
	Communist Party of Minnesota
	Constitution Party of Minnesota
	Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL)
	Green Party of Minnesota
	Independence Party of Minnesota
	Liberal Party of Minnesota
	Libertarian Party of Minnesota
	New Union Party
	Progressive Minnesota (The New Party)
	Reform Party of Minnesota
	Republican Party of Minnesota
	No affiliation

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Information about You

We appreciate your responses to the previous questions. To help us understand responses from various communities and the issues related to different communities, we would also appreciate some information about you.

1.	Are you male or female?
	Male Female

2.	For how many years have you lived in Minnesota? If less than 1 year, enter 0.

3.	What is your age in years?

4.	What role BEST describes your relationship with the University?
	Current Student
	Alumni
	University employee
	Family of current student
	Family of university employee
	In a business associated with the University
	No direct relationship with the University

5.	IF YOU ARE A STUDENT, are you an International student?
	Yes No

6.	IF YOU ARE A STUDENT, are you an undergraduate or graduate/professional student?
	Undergraduate
	Graduate/Professional
	Non-degree

	Page 4 of 4
	Information about You
	We appreciate your responses to the previous questions. To help us understand responses from various communities and the issues related to different communities, we would also appreciate some information about you.

1.	Are you male or female?
	Male Female

2.	For how many years have you lived in Minnesota? If less than 1 year, enter 0.

3.	What is your age in years?

4.	What role BEST describes your relationship with the University?
	Current Student
	Alumni
	University employee
	Family of current student
	Family of university employee
	In a business associated with the University
	No direct relationship with the University

5.	IF YOU ARE A STUDENT, are you an International student?
	Yes No

6.	IF YOU ARE A STUDENT, are you an undergraduate or graduate/professional student?
	Undergraduate
	Graduate/Professional
	Non-degree