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Survey Reports
April 20, 2004
Polls Face Growing Resistance, But Still Representative
Questionnaire (Part 2)
Q.31 Do you use a computer at your workplace, at school, at home or anywhere else on at least an
occasional basis?
IF "1, YES" (USE A COMPUTER) IN Q.31, ASK:
Q.32 Do you ever go online to access the Internet or World Wide Web or to send and receive email?
Based on Total Respondents:
Computer User Goes Online
Yes No DK/Ref Yes No DK/Ref
June, 2003
Standard 75 25 0=100 67 33 0=100
Rigorous 75 25 *=100 65 35 0=100
January, 2003 76 24 0=100 67 33 *=100
December, 2002 76 24 *=100 67 33 *=100
Early October, 2002 75 25 *=100 63 37 *=100
June, 2002 74 26 *=100 66 34 *=100
May, 2002 75 25 *=100 66 34 *=100
April, 2002 71 29 *=100 62 38 0=100
February, 2002 71 29 *=100 62 38 0=100
January, 2002 73 27 0=100 62 38 0=100
Mid-November, 2001 73 27 0=100 62 38 0=100
Mid-September, 2001 72 28 *=100 62 38 *=100
June, 2001 72 28 *=100 62 38 0=100
May, 2001 75 25 *=100 64 36 0=100
April, 2001 72 28 *=100 62 38 0=100
February, 2001 72 28 0=100 60 40 *=100
January, 2001 71 29 *=100 61 39 0=100
July, 2000 68 31 1=100 55 45 *=100
June, 2000 68 31 1=100 56 44 *=100
April, 2000 68 32 *=100 54 46 *=100
March, 2000 72 28 0=100 61 39 0=100
February, 2000 67 33 *=100 52 48 0=100
January, 2000 68 32 *=100 52 48 *=100
December, 1999 67 33 *=100 53 47 0=100
October, 1999 67 33 *=100 50 50 0=100
Late September, 1999 68 32 *=100 52 48 *=100
September, 1999 70 30 *=100 53 47 0=100
August, 1999 67 33 *=100 52 48 0=100
July, 1999 68 32 *=100 49 51 0=100
June, 1999 64 35 1=100 50 50 *=100
May, 1999 66 33 1=100 48 52 0=100
April, 1999 71 29 *=100 51 49 *=100
March, 1999 68 32 *=100 49 51 *=100
February, 1999 68 32 *=100 49 51 *=100
January, 1999 69 31 *=100 47 53 *=100
Early December, 1998 64 36 *=100 42 58 0=100
November, 1998 -- -- -- 37 63 *=100
Early September, 1998 64 36 *=100 42 58 *=100
Late August, 1998 66 34 0=100 43 57 *=100
Early August, 1998 66 34 *=100 41 59 *=100
April, 1998 61 39 *=100 36 64 0=100
January, 1998 65 35 *=100 37 63 0=100
November, 1997 66 34 *=100 36 63 1=100
June, 1997
Standard 60 40 0=100 29 71 0=100
Rigorous 62 38 0=100 32 68 0=100
Early September, 1996 56 44 *=100 22 78 0=100
July, 1996 56 44 *=100 23 77 0=100
April, 1996 58 42 *=100 21 79 *=100
March, 1996 61 39 *=100 22 78 0=100
February, 1996 60 40 0=100 21 79 *=100
January, 1996 59 41 0=100 21 79 0=100
June, 1995 -- -- -- 14 86 *=100
ASK ALL:
PARTY In politics today, do you consider yourself a Republican, Democrat or Independent?
June 1997
Stand. Rigorous Stand. Rigorous
32 26 Republican 28 29
31 30 Democrat 32 34
30 35 Independent 35 32
5 6 No Preference (VOL.) 3 3
1 * Other (VOL.) * *
1 3 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 2 2
100 100 100 100
PARTY/PARTYLN June 1997
Stand. Rigorous Stand. Rigorous
45 40 Republican/Lean Republican 41 40
43 43 Democrat/Lean Democrat 47 49
12 17 Refused to lean 12 11
100 100 100 100
IF ANSWERED 3, 4, 5 OR 9 IN PARTY, ASK:
PARTYLN As of today do you lean more to the Republican Party or more to the Democratic Party?
June 1997
Stand. Rigorous Stand. Rigorous
35 31 Republican/Lean Republican 34 31
34 30 Democrat/Lean Democrat 37 40
31 39 Refused to lean 29 29
100 100 100 100
(N=368) (N=454)
ASK ALL:
Q.33 Thinking about the Democratic and Republican parties, would you say there is a great deal of
difference in what they stand for, a fair amount of difference, or hardly any difference at
all?
Feb March June 1997 Oct July May May
Stand. Rigorous 1999 1998 Stand. Rigorous 1995 1994 1990 1987
29 27 A great deal 33 28 25 20 34 23 24 25
49 49 A fair amount 46 45 48 51 46 51 45 45
20 19 Hardly any 18 23 25 26 18 24 27 25
2 5 DK/Refused 3 4 2 3 2 2 4 5
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
ROTATE Q.34a AND Q.34b
Q.34a What does it mean to you when someone says they are a REPUBLICAN? (OPEN-END. PROBE ONCE
IF RESPONDENT ANSWERS "DON'T KNOW." ACCEPT UP TO TWO RESPONSES, BUT DO
NOT PROBE FOR SECOND RESPONSE.)
Feb May Jan
Stand. Rigorous 1999 1990 1987
15 17 Conservative/Right wing 18 22 21
15 6 That's their party/Who they vote for/Agree with on issues 11 -- 8
13 9 They're rich/Support rich, powerful, monied interests 12 20 18
4 5 Business oriented/Support big business 6 10 13
4 4 Smaller government/Reduce government spending 4 6 5
3 3 Personal greed/Out for personal gain/Protect own assets 5 -- --
2 1 Religious/Family oriented 2 1 --
2 1 Want lower taxes -- 1 1
1 1 Pro-life 1 -- --
1 * Not a Democrat 2 -- --
1 1 Morality 2 -- --
23 28 Other 16 14 24
30 31 No answer 33 45 28
Q.34b What does it mean to you when someone says they are a DEMOCRAT? (OPEN-END. PROBE ONCE
IF RESPONDENT ANSWERS "DON'T KNOW". ACCEPT UP TO TWO RESPONSES, BUT DO
NOT PROBE FOR SECOND RESPONSE.)
Feb May Jan
Stand. Rigorous 1999 1990 1987
15 16 Liberal/Left wing 16 18 18
15 7 That's their party/Who they vote for/Agree with on issues 12 -- 9
10 11 For the people/For working people 15 18 21
7 4 For social programs/Social justice 9 9 7
4 4 Cares for poor, disadvantaged 3 7 7
2 1 Open-minded 2 -- --
2 1 Support bigger government 2 3 7
1 1 Middle class/For the middle class 2 -- --
1 1 Believes in higher taxes 1 1 2
1 1 Pro-choice 1 1 --
1 * For minorities * 2 --
21 25 Other 18 9 17
29 34 No answer 30 47 27
REGIST These days, many people are so busy they can't find time to register to vote, or move
around so often they don't get a chance to re-register... Are you NOW registered to vote
in your precinct or election district, or haven't you been able to register so far? [IF
REGIST = 1 "YES" ASK:]
REGICERT Are you absolutely certain you are registered to vote, or is there a chance your
registration has lapsed because you moved or for some other reason?
Stand. Rigorous
76 73 Yes, registered
72 67 Absolutely certain
4 5 Chance registration has lapsed
* 1 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
24 27 No, not registered
* * Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100 100
ASK ALL:
Q.35 How often would you say you vote always, nearly always, part of the time or seldom?
(VOL.)
Nearly Part of Never (VOL.)
Always Always The time Seldom Vote Other DK/Ref.
June, 2003
Standard 36 29 14 11 8 1 1=100
Rigorous 37 26 12 13 11 1 *=100
Early September, 2002 47 23 14 10 6 * *=100
August, 2002 42 29 12 12 4 1 *=100
June, 2000 46 24 11 11 7 1 *=100
Late September, 1999 28 41 15 9 5 1 1=100
August, 1999 41 27 14 10 7 1 *=100
Early September, 1998 43 29 13 11 - 3 1=100
Late August, 1998 38 30 16 14 6 * *=100
June, 1998 40 29 15 12 - 4 *=100
November, 1997 33 38 15 9 5 * *=100
October, 1997 51 23 11 10 5 * *=100
June, 1997
Standard 42 25 12 13 6 1 1=100
Rigorous 40 27 13 13 6 * 1=100
June, 1996 41 30 12 12 4 1 *=100
February, 1996 32 34 15 11 6 1 1=100
October, 1995 41 32 12 11 3 * 1=100
April, 1995 42 29 12 11 6 * *=100
November, 1994 43 24 11 13 8 1 *=100
October, 1994 43 28 13 10 5 1 *=100
July, 1994 40 30 14 11 5 * *=100
June, 1992 47 26 10 11 5 1 *=100
May, 1992 41 32 13 11 3 * *=100
November, 1991 38 37 13 9 3 0 *=100
May, 1990 33 35 12 10 8 1 1=100
February, 1989 45 30 10 8 6 1 *=100
January, 1988 39 33 12 8 6 1 1=100
May, 1987 34 37 11 6 9 2 1=100
Q.36 In the 2002 elections for CONGRESS, did things come up which kept you from voting, or did
you happen to vote?
IF RESPONDENT ANSWERED "1" YES, ASK:
Q.36a Are you absolutely certain you voted, or is there a chance you may not have?
Aug April
Stand. Rigorous 1999 1995
60 52 Yes, voted 50 62
56 48 Absolutely certain 46 58
4 4 May not have voted/Don't Know 4 4
38 45 No, didn't vote/Too young to vote 47 37
2 3 Don't know/Refused 3 1
100 100 100 100
IF RESPONDENT ANSWERED "1" YES, CERTAIN IN Q.36a, ASK:
Q.37 Did you happen to vote for a Republican candidate or a Democratic candidate for U.S.
Congress in your strict?
Aug April
Stand. Rigorous 1999 1995
47 44 Republican 43 50
40 42 Democrat 45 40
2 2 Other/Independent Candidate 2 2
* 1 Didn't vote for Congress 1 1
11 11 Don't know/Refused 9 7
100 100 100 100
(N=588) (N=574)
ASK ALL:
IDEO In general, would you describe your political views as... [READ]
Early
June Oct Sept May June 1997 June Apr July
Stand. Rigorous 2000 1999 1998 1998 Stand. Rigorous 1996 1996 1994
6 5 Very conservative 7 7 8 7 7 5 7 7 7
33 30 Conservative 29 26 30 30 30 30 32 31 32
36 40 Moderate 39 41 38 37 40 41 38 39 39
14 13 Liberal, OR 15 16 15 15 14 15 14 14 15
7 5 Very liberal? 5 6 6 6 5 5 6 5 4
4 7 DK/Refused 5 4 3 5 4 4 3 4 3
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
Now I just have some background questions that are used for statistical purposes only...
[Unweighted Frequencies]
SEX
June 1997
Stand. Rigorous Stand. Rigorous
47 43 Male 45 42
53 57 Female 55 58
100 100 100 100
[Unweighted Frequencies]
HISP Are you, yourself, of Hispanic origin or descent, such as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or
some other Spanish background?
June 1997
Stand. Rigorous Stand. Rigorous
7 11 Yes 7 6
93 88 No 92 93
* 1 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 1 1
100 100 100 100
[Unweighted Frequencies]
[INTERVIEWER: IF RESPONDENT ANSWERED 1 'HISPANIC' IN HISP, ASK: Are you white Hispanic,
black Hispanic, or some other race? IF NON-HISPANIC ASK:]
RACE What is your race? Are you white, black, Asian, or some other?
June 1997
Stand. Rigorous Stand. Rigorous
82 81 White 78 82
9 11 Black 12 9
2 2 Asian 2 2
6 5 Other or mixed race 7 6
1 1 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) 1 1
100 100 100 100
MARITAL Are you married, divorced, separated, widowed, or never been married?
Stand. Rigorous
53 52 Married
13 15 Divorced
3 2 Separated
9 9 Widowed
22 22 Never been married
* * Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100 100
PARENT Are you the parent or guardian of any children under 18 now living in your household?
Stand. Rigorous
36 36 Yes
64 64 No
* * Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100 100
RELIG What is your religious preference Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Mormon, or an
orthodox church such as the Greek or Russian Orthodox Church?
Stand. Rigorous
Protestant (include Baptist, Episcopal, Jehovah's Witness, Lutheran,
58 55 Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Pentecostal, Church of Christ, etc.)
24 26 Roman Catholic
1 2 Jewish
2 1 Mormon (include Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints)
1 * Orthodox Church (Greek or Russian)
* 1 Islam/Muslim
4 3 Other religion [SPECIFY]
8 9 No religion, not a believer, atheist, agnostic
2 3 Don't know/Refused [VOL.]
100 100
IF RELIG = 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9 ASK:
BORN Would you describe yourself as a "born again" or evangelical Christian, or not?
Stand. Rigorous
37 37 Yes, would
58 58 No, would not
5 5 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100 100
(N=896) (N=977)
ASK ALL:
INCOME Last year, that is in 2002, what was your total family income from all sources, before
taxes? Just stop me when I get to the right category. [READ]
Stand. Rigorous
8 9 Less than $10,000
13 11 $10,000 to under $20,000
12 15 $20,000 to under $30,000
13 12 $30,000 to under $40,000
9 10 $40,000 to under $50,000
15 14 $50,000 to under $75,000
10 9 $75,000 to under $100,000
10 9 $100,000 or more
10 11 [DO NOT READ] Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100 100
OWNRENT Do you own or rent your home?
Stand. Rigorous
70 65 Own
26 29 Rent
4 5 [DO NOT READ] Other arrangement (VOL.)
* 1 [DO NOT READ] Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100 100
EMPLOY Are you now employed full-time, part-time or not employed?
Stand. Rigorous
50 53 Full-time
12 13 Part-time
38 34 Not employed
* * Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100 100
IF MARRIED (MARITAL=1) ASK:
EMPLOYSP Is your spouse now employed full-time, part-time or not employed?
Stand. Rigorous
62 59 Full-time
9 8 Part-time
29 33 Not employed
* * Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100 100
N=(538) (599)
[INCLUDE "Your spouse" FOR MARRIED PEOPLE ONLY (MARITAL=1)]
LABOR Are you (or is your spouse) a member of a labor union?
Stand. Rigorous
8 9 Yes, respondent is
4 4 Yes, spouse is
2 2 Yes, both
86 84 No, Neither are
* 1 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100 100
Q.38 Were you, either of your parents, or any of your grandparents born in a country other than
the United States or Canada? (IF YES, PROBE FOR WHOM; CHECK AS MANY AS APPLY)
June 1997
Stand. Rigorous Stand. Rigorous
6 7 Yes, respondent 4 3
12 12 Yes, parents 12 12
21 21 Yes, grandparents 27 28
70 68 No 63 65
1 1 DK/Refused 2 1
Q.39 Have you lived in this community all of your life?
June 1997
Stand. Rigorous Stand. Rigorous
42 41 Yes 33 33
57 59 No 66 66
1 * Don't know/Refused 1 1
100 100 100 100
IF (Q. 39=NO) ASK:
Q.40 In what year did you move to this community?
June 1997
Stand. Rigorous Stand. Rigorous
3 4 This year 3 4
29 27 Last year-5 years ago 33 29
18 18 6-10 years ago 19 18
48 49 More than 10 years ago 43 46
2 2 Don't know/Refused 2 3
100 100 100 100
(N=587) (N=666)
ASK ALL:
Q.41 What is the zip code of your current residence? [ENTER ZIP CODE]
Q.42 How many people, including yourself, live in your household?
June 1997
Stand. Rigorous Stand. Rigorous
18 23 One GO TO Q.43 19 11
31 30 Two 32 34
45 42 3-5 43 49
5 4 6 + 4 5
1 1 DK/Refused GO TO Q.43 2 1
100 100 100 100
BASED ON THOSE WITH MORE THAN ONE PERSON IN HOUSEHOLD:
Q.42a How many of these, including yourself, are adults 18 years of age or older?
June 1997
Stand. Rigorous Stand. Rigorous
8 8 One 13 4
64 69 Two 65 66
26 22 3-4 20 26
2 1 5 or more 2 4
* * DK/Refused 0 *
100 100 100 100
(N=810) (N=833)
ASK ALL:
[INTERVIEWER NOTE: SUBJECT AND VERB TENSE FOR Q.43 AND Q.44 DEPENDS ON WHETHER
THERE IS MORE THAN ONE PERSON IN HOUSEHOLD IN Q.42]
Q.43 Did (you/anyone in this household) get food stamps at any time during 2002?
March 2003
Stand. Rigorous Current Population Survey
6 7 Yes 5
93 93 No 95
1 * Don't know/Refused (VOL.) --
100 100 100
Q.44 This question is about health insurance coverage during the calendar year 2002. The question
applies to ALL persons of ALL ages. At any time in 2002, (were you/was anyone in this
household) covered by a health plan provided through (your/their) current or former employer
or union?
March 2003
Stand. Rigorous Current Population Survey
67 69 Yes 67
31 30 No 33
2 1 Don't know/Refused (VOL.) --
100 100 100
Q.45 How many different telephone numbers will reach this household, including those that are
attached to faxes or computers?
June 1997
Stand. Rigorous Stand. Rigorous
71 75 One GO TO Q.46 77 82
20 18 Two 14 13
5 4 Three 4 2
2 2 Four or more 1 1
2 1 DK/Refused GO TO Q.46 4 2
100 100 100 100
BASED ON THOSE WITH TWO OR MORE TELEPHONE LINES:
Q.45a Are any of the telephone numbers used only for a computer line or a fax? [IF YES, ASK: How
many?]
June 1997
Stand. Rigorous Stand. Rigorous
49 50 Yes 41 60
28 32 One 37 57
17 14 Two 4 3
4 4 Three or more * 0
50 49 No 59 40
1 1 DK/Refused 0 *
100 100 100 100
(N=284) (N=271)
ASK ALL:
Q.46 Is the telephone number on which we reached you currently listed in the telephone directory? [IF
NO, ASK: Is that because it's new or because your household chooses not to be listed?]
June 1997*
Stand. Rigorous Stand. Rigorous
71 73 Yes, listed 71 76
4 3 Not listed, new listing 6 4
20 19 Not listed by choice 20 17
5 5 Don't Know/Refused 3 3
100 100 100 100
* In June 1997 the question was worded, “Is your telephone number currently listed in the telephone
directory? [IF NO, ASK: Is that because it’s new or because your household does not want to be
listed?]”
Q.47 During the past 12 months, has your household ever been without telephone service for more
than 24 hours? ASK IF YES, HOUSEHOLD HAS BEEN WITHOUT PHONE SERVICE "1" IN Q.47:
Q.47a What was the total amount of time your household was without telephone service? Was it less
than one week, or was it a week or longer?
Stand. Rigorous
10 9 Yes
6 6 Less than one week
4 3 One week or longer
* * Don't Know/Refused (VOL.)
89 90 No
1 1 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100 100
ASK ALL:
Q.48 Do you have a telephone answering machine or voice mail system for your home phone?
ASK IF YES, HAS ANSWERING MACHINE OR VOICE MAIL "1" IN Q.48:
Q.49 How often do you use your answering machine or voice mail to screen your calls when you are
at home always, most of the time, some of the time, not very often, or never?
Stand. Rigorous
78 79 Yes
17 18 Always
11 11 Most of the time
15 16 Some of the time
15 14 Not very often
20 19 Never
* 1 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
22 21 No
* * Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100 100
ASK ALL:
Q.50 Do you have Caller ID on your home telephone? [INTERVIEWER: CLARIFY IF NECESSARY that's
the service that allows you to see the phone number of the person who is calling you]?
ASK IF HAS CALLER ID "1" IN Q.50:
Q.51 How often do you use your Caller ID to screen your calls when you are at home always, most
of the time, some of the time, not very often, or never?
Stand. Rigorous
51 52 Yes
27 29 Always
10 8 Most of the time
7 7 Some of the time
4 4 Not very often
3 3 Never
* 1 Don't know
48 48 No
1 * Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100 100
ASK ALL:
Q.52 And do you have call blocking or a privacy manager, which electronically stops calls from
reaching you?
Stand. Rigorous
18 19 Yes
79 79 No
3 2 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100 100
Q.53 Do you happen to have a cell phone, or not?
ASK IF RESPONDENT HAS A CELL PHONE '1' IN Q.53:
Q.54 Over the next 12 months, how likely are you to give up your regular home telephone and just
use a cell phone? Very likely, somewhat likely, or not likely?
Apr Apr June
Stand. Rigorous 2002 2000 1995
61 60 Yes 64 53 24
6 5 Very likely - - -
7 6 Somewhat likely - - -
48 49 Not likely - - -
* * Don't Know/Refused (VOL.) - - -
39 40 No 36 47 76
* * Don't know/Refused (VOL.) * * *
100 100 100 100 100
ASK ONLY IF INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED IN SPANISH:
Q.55 If we had not had the ability to interview you in Spanish, would you have been comfortable
doing the interview in English, would it have been possible but hard for you to do it, or
would you not have been able to do the interview in English?
Rigorous*
12 Comfortable in English
27 Possible but hard
60 Would not have been able
1 Don't know/Refused (VOL.)
100
(N=34)
* Spanish language interviewing was not done for the standard survey sample.
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE TO BE COMPLETED BY THE INTERVIEWER AFTER THE
INTERVIEW
Q.56 Respondent's cooperation was...
June 1997
Stand. Rigorous Stand. Rigorous
65 70 Very Good 61 54
26 24 Good 28 32
7 5 Fair 10 12
2 1 Poor 1 1
* * Very Poor * 1
100 100 100 100
Q.57 Overall, how great was Respondent's interest in the interview?
June 1997
Stand. Rigorous Stand. Rigorous
32 41 Very High 34 23
29 27 Above Average 27 30
34 28 Average 33 39
4 3 Below Average 5 7
1 1 Very Low 1 1
100 100 100 100
Q.58 Please rate the respondent's facility with English.
June 1997
Stand. Rigorous Stand. Rigorous
97 95 Respondent was fully conversant in English 97 96
3 2 Respondent had occasional difficulty with language 3 4
* 3 Respondent had considerable difficulty with language * *
100 100 100 100
Q.59 Did respondent appear to have any degree of hearing loss?
June 1997
Stand. Rigorous Stand. Rigorous
94 96 No 93 95
6 4 Appeared to have some difficulty hearing 6 5
* * Appeared to have a great deal of difficulty 1 *
100 100 100 100
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Table of Contents
- Questionnaire (Part 2)