We're polling Illinois, North Carolina, and Washington this weekend. Question suggestions beyond the obvious horse race stuff appreciated...we end up using as many as we can.
For the NC poll, you might want to consider asking something about the judicial races. There is one Supreme Court race up for grabs that could change the ideological balance of the court (from conservative to less so) and there are 5 Court of Appeals races up for election, including that confusing special election using IRV (not sure how that could be polled). With redistricting up next year, the make up of NC's appellate courts could be very important to how those new districts are drawn. Come to think of it, a poll question about how much voters are thinking about redistricting as an issue in state legislative elections might be a good question too.
A question on House Speaker should be asked. "If the Democrats maintain control of the U.S. House of Representatives, should they elect Nancy Pelosi as Speaker or should they look to Steny Hoyer?"
in both Illinois and Washington you should ask if the person's choice for senate would change if they knew that race would flip the senate in one direction or the other. e.g. Kirk and Rossi voters "if the race for senate in your state would lead to the Republican Party attaining a majority, would your vote remain the same." I probably didn't properly describe it, but I'm wondering how many people in these two fairly liberal states would reconsider voting for Kirk or Rossi if they stopped to think about the larger issue of control of the senate.
I'm glad you are polling Washington state. It will be interesting to see what you guys show--given the Fox poll had Murray down by 1 and then today an Elway Poll has her up by 15.
I think it would be interesting to ask Washington voters about the high earners income tax proposal, Initiative 1098 and/or Initiative 1082, the building industry sponsored measure to "reform" workers compensation allowing private insurers into the market.
Perhaps an issue question on health care; e.g., "Do you favor repealing the legal prohibition against health insurance companies cutting off coverage to people who become ill, or denying coverage to children who have been ill?"
In Wash: Have you already voted? Who did you vote for? If not, but you've decided who to vote for, is there any chance, any chance whatsoever, that you will change your mind? Who are you presently voting for?
I'm sure you've seen this, but there's great piece on 538.NYT today about the perils of polling Washington. Ras and SUSA too GOP-friendly, Elway too Dem-friendly.
In Illinois, there are two debates coming up where third parties and independents have been excluded. The Green Party is an established party and got 11% of the vote in the last gov's race so at a minimum they should be included. So the question is, should the Green Party candidates Rich Whitney and LeAlan Jones be included in their respective debates.
For NC-Gov 2012 how about testing a potential Roy Cooper or Elaine Marshall (assuming she loses to Burr) match up against a well known Republican such as Pat McCrory vs how incumbent gov Bev Perdue does. Another question could ask what voters think about election spending by third party groups such as American Prosperity or the Civitas Action Forum.
For Illinois, poll what people think about holding terrorists there. I guess you could do the same for NC and Washington but Illinois is the place where it was most talked about.
"For Washington, poll a potential 2010 Governors race matchup. On the R side, should include Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and Rob McKenna."
We already did that the last time we polled WA.
wt: We asked whether people voted early already in our final 2008 polls, will again this year, and may start doing that in WA and other states from here on out.
Something a little bit meta. "Out of all the adults living at your home, how many regularly respond to polls? Does one person usually answer the phone, or does everyone take turns?" and so on. Basically, find out in each state whether you're mostly getting one person in a household or whether you have decent odds of getting anybody at home. This has an effect on what percentage of the population polls actually represent.
I would be very interested in seeing fave/unfaves on our infamous and all-powerful state House Speaker, Michael Madigan. He's been under almost constant attack in the media, and the House Republicans are using his visage and reputation in their mailers, so numbers would be useful.
Just keep in mind that in WA, everyone votes "early" (in the sense that voting is by mail). As Nate Silver said, likely voter screens that ask about polling places/etc would likely confuse people in a vote-by-mail state.
I am wagering to bet that Marshall, has cut Burr's lead down quite a bit since the two debates and her T.V. ad now up and running. Funny, my entire family is voting for Marshall, which includes my parents as registered Republicans, my sister an Independent and me a Democrat.
For Illinois, should all established party candidates, such as Green Party candidates Rich Whitney and LeAlan Jones be allowed to participate in all televised debates.
"Do you support inclusion of all established political party candidates in debates?"
"Would it it help you decide if you heard from the candidates from all three political parties in Illinois at debate?"
The problem: WTTW, City Club of Chicago, League of Women Voters, Elmhurst College, and Union League Club are all excluding Green Party candidates, including Rich Whitney and LeAlan Jones.
Catch-22 - In order to be included in teevee debates, candidates first have to get the poll responses. But in order to get percentages in polls, candidates have to first be on teevee debates.
What comes first, the poll or the debate?
Clearly, it's desperation time for Madigan-Machine DemOcRats in Illinois, desperately keeping voters dumbed down and censoring information voters receive. Not very democratic, Mr. Madigan.
I would like to know how many voters actually know there are more than two persons running for the same office. In IL there are 5 ppl running for Gov. Only 2 are constantly mentioned in -anything.
For the WA state poll: A question for the Rossi/Murray Senate seat: Are you concerned about Karl Rove's ties to Dino Rossi? I'm not sure how to word that without it sounding like a push-poll - but it's a serious question. Karl Rove has been tampering in our elections and NO ONE in MSM is saying anything. Of course we're concerned about Chamber of Commerce - but Rossi has been playing dirty & it's his umpteenth attempt to get into public office - ANY public office (tried run 4 gov 2x, house, senate, etc)
For the NC poll, you might want to consider asking something about the judicial races. There is one Supreme Court race up for grabs that could change the ideological balance of the court (from conservative to less so) and there are 5 Court of Appeals races up for election, including that confusing special election using IRV (not sure how that could be polled). With redistricting up next year, the make up of NC's appellate courts could be very important to how those new districts are drawn. Come to think of it, a poll question about how much voters are thinking about redistricting as an issue in state legislative elections might be a good question too.
ReplyDeleteA question on House Speaker should be asked. "If the Democrats maintain control of the U.S. House of Representatives, should they elect Nancy Pelosi as Speaker or should they look to Steny Hoyer?"
ReplyDeletein both Illinois and Washington you should ask if the person's choice for senate would change if they knew that race would flip the senate in one direction or the other. e.g. Kirk and Rossi voters "if the race for senate in your state would lead to the Republican Party attaining a majority, would your vote remain the same." I probably didn't properly describe it, but I'm wondering how many people in these two fairly liberal states would reconsider voting for Kirk or Rossi if they stopped to think about the larger issue of control of the senate.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you are polling Washington state. It will be interesting to see what you guys show--given the Fox poll had Murray down by 1 and then today an Elway Poll has her up by 15.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be interesting to ask Washington voters about the high earners income tax proposal, Initiative 1098 and/or Initiative 1082, the building industry sponsored measure to "reform" workers compensation allowing private insurers into the market.
ReplyDeletePerhaps an issue question on health care; e.g., "Do you favor repealing the legal prohibition against health insurance companies cutting off coverage to people who become ill, or denying coverage to children who have been ill?"
ReplyDeleteIn Wash: Have you already voted? Who did you vote for? If not, but you've decided who to vote for, is there any chance, any chance whatsoever, that you will change your mind? Who are you presently voting for?
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you've seen this, but there's great piece on 538.NYT today about the perils of polling Washington. Ras and SUSA too GOP-friendly, Elway too Dem-friendly.
In Illinois, there are two debates coming up where third parties and independents have been excluded. The Green Party is an established party and got 11% of the vote in the last gov's race so at a minimum they should be included. So the question is, should the Green Party candidates Rich Whitney and LeAlan Jones be included in their respective debates.
ReplyDeleteFor NC-Gov 2012 how about testing a potential Roy Cooper or Elaine Marshall (assuming she loses to Burr) match up against a well known Republican such as Pat McCrory vs how incumbent gov Bev Perdue does. Another question could ask what voters think about election spending by third party groups such as American Prosperity or the Civitas Action Forum.
ReplyDeleteLet's see how teabaggy various places are:
ReplyDelete1) is Obama a Muslim? yes, no, or not sure
2) should Obama be impeached? yes, no or not sure.
For Illinois, poll what people think about holding terrorists there. I guess you could do the same for NC and Washington but Illinois is the place where it was most talked about.
ReplyDeleteFor Illinois:
ReplyDeleteIf Harry Reid is defeated, who do you want to have as the next Democratic Leader in the Senate, Dick Durbin or Chuck Schumer.
For Washington, poll a potential 2010 Governors race matchup. On the R side, should include Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and Rob McKenna.
ReplyDelete"For Washington, poll a potential 2010 Governors race matchup. On the R side, should include Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and Rob McKenna."
ReplyDeleteWe already did that the last time we polled WA.
wt: We asked whether people voted early already in our final 2008 polls, will again this year, and may start doing that in WA and other states from here on out.
Something a little bit meta. "Out of all the adults living at your home, how many regularly respond to polls? Does one person usually answer the phone, or does everyone take turns?" and so on. Basically, find out in each state whether you're mostly getting one person in a household or whether you have decent odds of getting anybody at home. This has an effect on what percentage of the population polls actually represent.
ReplyDeleteI would be very interested in seeing fave/unfaves on our infamous and all-powerful state House Speaker, Michael Madigan. He's been under almost constant attack in the media, and the House Republicans are using his visage and reputation in their mailers, so numbers would be useful.
ReplyDeleteWho is more honest? Alexi or Mark Kirk?
ReplyDeleteSee how Governor Brady performs against former President Obama in the 2014 gubernatorial election.
ReplyDeleteJust keep in mind that in WA, everyone votes "early" (in the sense that voting is by mail). As Nate Silver said, likely voter screens that ask about polling places/etc would likely confuse people in a vote-by-mail state.
ReplyDeleteIn Illinois:
ReplyDeleteHow will you vote for the 6 year term ?
How will you vote for the 2 month term ?
I´d like to see if there is any difference.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am wagering to bet that Marshall, has cut Burr's lead down quite a bit since the two debates and her T.V. ad now up and running. Funny, my entire family is voting for Marshall, which includes my parents as registered Republicans, my sister an Independent and me a Democrat.
ReplyDeleteYou can poll IL-SC and IL-ST races. They are two competitive races for statewide offices in Illinois. Would be interesting.
ReplyDeleteAbout Washington I would like see for 2012:
Gregoire vs McKenna
Gregoire vs McMorris Rodgers
Inslee vs McKenna
Inslee vs McMorris Rodgers
The last time you poll a low level democrat. Why assume Gregoire will retire if she is not term-limited?
Didn't you guys have a poll in the field in North Carolina this past weekend?
ReplyDeleteInclude the Illinois Green Party candidates in your damn polls!
ReplyDeleteRich Whitney for Governor
LeAlan Jones for U.S. Senate
http://www.ilgp.org
For Illinois, should all established party candidates, such as Green Party candidates Rich Whitney and LeAlan Jones be allowed to participate in all televised debates.
ReplyDelete"Include the Illinois Green Party candidates in your damn polls!"
ReplyDeleteWe already have been for months, but rude comments like that one make us not want to.
"Didn't you guys have a poll in the field in North Carolina this past weekend?"
Not a statewide public poll. We do a lot of polling here for private clients.
For Illinois -
ReplyDelete"Do you support inclusion of all established political party candidates in debates?"
"Would it it help you decide if you heard from the candidates from all three political parties in Illinois at debate?"
The problem: WTTW, City Club of Chicago, League of Women Voters, Elmhurst College, and Union League Club are all excluding Green Party candidates, including Rich Whitney and LeAlan Jones.
Catch-22 - In order to be included in teevee debates, candidates first have to get the poll responses. But in order to get percentages in polls, candidates have to first be on teevee debates.
What comes first, the poll or the debate?
Clearly, it's desperation time for Madigan-Machine DemOcRats in Illinois, desperately keeping voters dumbed down and censoring information voters receive. Not very democratic, Mr. Madigan.
I would like to know how many voters actually know there are more than two persons running for the same office. In IL there are 5 ppl running for Gov. Only 2 are constantly mentioned in -anything.
ReplyDeleteIN NEW YORK, WILL VOTES COUNT FOR MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY ALTHOUGH THEY MAY BE LATE?
ReplyDeletePlease include all candidates in all of the polling. If people spend the time and effort to get on the ballot, they should be included in everything.
ReplyDeleteIt is only fair. But then again, this is Illinois.
For the WA state poll: A question for the Rossi/Murray Senate seat: Are you concerned about Karl Rove's ties to Dino Rossi? I'm not sure how to word that without it sounding like a push-poll - but it's a serious question. Karl Rove has been tampering in our elections and NO ONE in MSM is saying anything. Of course we're concerned about Chamber of Commerce - but Rossi has been playing dirty & it's his umpteenth attempt to get into public office - ANY public office (tried run 4 gov 2x, house, senate, etc)
ReplyDelete