January 19, 2012 - New Jersey Support For Same-Sex Marriage At New High, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Big Gender Gap As Voters Oppose Online Gambling Word format New Jersey voters support 52 - 42 percent allowing same-sex couples to marry, the first time support tops 50 percent. There is a strong divide between those who attend religious services weekly and those who attend less frequently, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. The previous high for same-sex marriage was 49 - 43 percent in an April 23, 2009 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University. In today's survey, support for same-sex marriage is 62 - 33 percent among Democrats and 54 - 38 percent among independent voters. Republicans are opposed 59 - 35 percent. White Catholics support it 50 - 45 percent while white Protestants are opposed 51 - 44 percent. Voters who attend religious services weekly are opposed 58 - 36 percent, while voter who attend services less frequently support same-sex marriage 61 - 33 percent. On related issues, New Jersey voter opinions are: 65 - 32 percent that same-sex marriage is not a threat to traditional marriage; 53 - 45 percent that denying same-sex marriage is discrimination; 69 - 26 percent support for New Jersey's same-sex civil union law; 66 - 29 percent support allowing same-sex couples to adopt children. "Legislative Democrats are making same-sex marriage their big opening issue and New Jersey voters support them. There are demographic splits - Catholics are more supportive than Protestants," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "All groups support same-sex civil unions. Most groups support allowing same-sex couples to adopt children, while black voters are divided on that issue." New Jersey voters oppose 52 - 41 percent legalizing online gambling. There is a big gender gap as men support online gambling 55 - 40 percent while women oppose it 64 - 28 percent. Opposition is 59 - 35 percent among Democrats and 52 - 43 percent among independent voters, while Republicans are divided 47 - 47 percent. "With women opposed more than 2-1, online gambling comes up craps in New Jersey," Carroll said. New Jersey voters support 58 - 30 percent the so-called Millionaire's Tax, with 75 - 14 percent support among Democrats and 61 - 29 percent support among independent voters. Republicans oppose the tax 52 - 33 percent. Voters approve 52 - 42 percent of the way Gov. Christopher Christie is handling the New Jersey budget and support 61 - 36 percent his proposal to eliminate pay for unused sick leave by state employees. Voters also say 56 - 36 percent that public employees are not doing their fair share to ease the state's financial problems. By a 57 - 23 percent margin, Garden State voters have a favorable opinion of public school teachers, but they give the state's largest teachers union a negative 29 - 44 percent score. Voters support 66 - 30 percent rewarding good teachers with extra pay, but also support 59 - 33 percent Gov. Christie's proposal to limit teacher tenure. Voters oppose school vouchers 49 - 44 percent and oppose charter schools 51 - 41 percent. "Gov. Christopher Christie, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg all are picking on the teachers union," Carroll said. "New Jerseyans like the people who teach their kids but don't like their union. Merit pay and limits on tenure both win heavy support." From January 10 - 16, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,460 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.6 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia and the nation as a public service and for research. For more data or RSS feed- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter. 12. In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New Jersey today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Very satisfied 4% 9% 2% 3% 4% 5% 4% 5% Smwht satisfied 38 55 27 36 39 37 42 25 Smwht dissatisfied 34 21 40 39 36 32 33 38 Very dissatisfied 24 14 30 23 21 26 19 31 DK/NA 1 1 1 - - 1 - 1 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Very satisfied 2% 5% 3% 6% 5% Smwht satisfied 36 33 45 35 43 Smwht dissatisfied 38 36 32 27 34 Very dissatisfied 24 26 19 31 17 DK/NA 1 1 - 1 - TREND: In general, how satisfied are you with the way things are going in New Jersey today; are you very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied, or very dissatisfied? (*High also 71% Feb 1999) VERY+SMWHT SAT High Low Jan 19 Nov 16 Oct 12 Aug 17 Jun 21 Dec 26 Jun 17 2012 2011 2011 2011 2011 2000* 2010 Very satisfied 4 5 6 3 3 10 2 Smwht satisfied 38 40 38 31 31 61 22 Smwht dissatisfied 34 33 28 35 34 21 36 Very dissatisfied 24 22 26 31 31 7 39 DK/NA 1 1 1 - 1 1 1 23. To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose the so called millionaires tax? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 58% 33% 75% 61% 57% 58% 57% 63% Oppose 30 52 14 29 35 26 32 22 DK/NA 12 14 11 10 8 16 11 14 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Support 57% 64% 53% 52% 56% Oppose 29 26 35 33 34 DK/NA 14 10 12 15 10 TREND: To help balance the state budget, do you support or oppose the so called millionaires tax? Jan 19 Nov 17 Apr 21 Feb 10 2012 2011 2011 2011 Support 58 64 52 55 Oppose 30 28 36 34 DK/NA 12 8 12 11 24. Do you think New Jersey's public employees are doing their fair share to ease New Jersey's financial problems or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 36% 25% 46% 35% 38% 34% 37% 33% No 56 71 44 57 55 57 56 51 DK/NA 8 4 10 8 7 9 7 15 Union KidsIn Philly HsHlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Yes 53% 33% 33% 41% 28% 36% 37% No 41 62 58 54 58 57 54 DK/NA 7 5 9 5 14 7 9 25. Currently New Jersey government employees get paid for unused sick leave. Governor Christie wants to end this policy. Do you agree or disagree with Governor Christie's proposal to end paid unused sick leave for government employees? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Agree 61% 79% 43% 64% 63% 58% 68% 30% Disagree 36 19 53 33 34 38 29 65 DK/NA 3 3 4 3 3 4 3 5 Union KidsIn Philly HsHlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Agree 45% 58% 54% 64% 64% 58% 61% Disagree 51 39 44 33 34 35 37 DK/NA 5 3 3 3 3 7 2 26. Is your opinion of New Jersey's public school teachers favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about them? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favorable 57% 42% 66% 56% 56% 57% 57% 62% Unfavorable 23 38 11 24 25 22 26 9 Hvn't hrd enough 17 14 19 18 16 18 14 25 REFUSED 3 5 3 2 3 4 3 5 Union KidsIn Philly HsHlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Favorable 67% 61% 52% 59% 60% 53% 56% Unfavorable 19 20 18 22 30 24 24 Hvn't hrd enough 11 16 23 17 8 19 17 REFUSED 3 3 7 1 2 4 3 TREND: Is your opinion of New Jersey's public school teachers favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about them? Jan 19 Apr 21 Feb 10 Dec 21 Nov 11 June 17 2012 2011 2011 2010 2010 2010 Favorable 57 64 62 57 56 56 Unfavorable 23 16 17 23 24 26 Hvn't hrd enough 17 17 18 18 19 16 REFUSED 3 3 3 2 1 2 27. Is your opinion of the state's largest teachers union, the New Jersey Education Association, favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about it? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favorable 29% 12% 48% 23% 27% 32% 24% 52% Unfavorable 44 67 18 53 51 37 52 10 Hvn't hrd enough 25 19 32 23 20 30 22 36 REFUSED 1 3 1 1 2 1 1 2 Union KidsIn Philly HsHlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Favorable 44% 32% 35% 35% 25% 22% 26% Unfavorable 38 42 30 40 56 43 51 Hvn't hrd enough 15 25 33 23 18 34 20 REFUSED 3 2 1 2 1 1 2 TREND: Is your opinion of the state's largest teachers union, the New Jersey Education Association, favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about it? Jan 19 Apr 21 Feb 10 Dec 21 Nov 11 Jun 17 2012 2011 2011 2010 2010 2010 Favorable 29 30 27 27 21 24 Unfavorable 44 45 44 48 46 50 Hvn't hrd enough 25 24 28 25 32 25 REFUSED 1 1 1 1 1 1 28. Some people say that public school teachers who do an outstanding job should be rewarded with additional pay, so called merit pay. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Good idea 66% 68% 64% 64% 69% 62% 65% 68% Bad idea 30 30 31 30 26 33 31 27 DK/NA 5 2 6 5 4 5 4 6 Union KidsIn Philly HsHlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Good idea 62% 68% 68% 67% 68% 65% 61% Bad idea 34 29 28 29 29 28 35 DK/NA 4 3 4 4 3 7 5 TREND: Some people say that public school teachers who do an outstanding job should be rewarded with additional pay, so called merit pay. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? Jan 19 Apr 21 Feb 10 Nov 11 Jan 21 2012 2011 2011 2010 2010 Good idea 66 69 68 67 66 Bad idea 30 27 27 28 31 DK/NA 5 4 4 5 3 29. Governor Christie wants to limit teacher tenure. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Good idea 59% 76% 41% 64% 64% 54% 67% 22% Bad idea 33 17 50 29 29 37 26 63 DK/NA 8 7 10 6 7 9 6 15 Union KidsIn Philly HsHlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Good idea 54% 61% 47% 59% 64% 57% 66% Bad idea 40 31 44 36 28 29 27 DK/NA 6 8 9 5 8 14 7 TREND: Governor Christie wants to limit teacher tenure. Do you think this is a good idea or a bad idea? Jan 19 Apr 21 Feb 10 2012 2011 2011 Good idea 59 62 62 Bad idea 33 32 30 DK/NA 8 6 7 30. Do you favor or oppose providing parents with tax money in the form of school vouchers to help pay for their children to attend private or religious schools? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favor 44% 56% 33% 43% 47% 41% 43% 41% Oppose 49 37 60 51 46 53 53 47 DK/NA 7 7 7 6 8 6 5 12 Union KidsIn Philly HsHlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Favor 39% 43% 42% 45% 42% 46% 43% Oppose 56 48 52 49 53 46 48 DK/NA 6 9 6 6 5 8 9 TREND: Do you favor or oppose providing parents with tax money in the form of school vouchers to help pay for their children to attend private or religious schools? Jan 19 Apr 21 Feb 10 Nov 24 Jul 03 2012 2011 2011 2009 2001 Favor 44 39 43 43 50 Oppose 49 56 52 54 43 DK/NA 7 6 5 3 7 31. As you may know, charter schools are operated by private or non-profit organizations. The schools are paid for with tax dollars. Do you think there should be an expansion of charter schools in New Jersey or not? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 41% 49% 37% 39% 43% 40% 38% 49% No 51 45 57 54 49 52 54 44 DK/NA 8 7 6 7 8 8 8 7 Union KidsIn Philly HsHlds PubSch Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Yes 33% 46% 49% 40% 42% 41% 37% No 60 47 45 51 54 49 54 DK/NA 7 6 6 9 4 9 9 TREND: As you may know, charter schools are operated by private or non-profit organizations. The schools are paid for with tax dollars. Do you think there should be an expansion of charter schools in New Jersey or not? Jan 19 Apr 21 Feb 10 Jan 21 Nov 24 2012 2011 2011 2010 2009 Yes 41 36 41 40 38 No 51 56 50 52 55 DK/NA 8 8 8 8 7 32. Have you heard or read anything about the recent toll hikes on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Yes 90% 90% 88% 90% 90% 89% 90% 87% No 10 10 11 10 9 11 9 13 DK/NA - - 1 - - - - 1 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Yes 92% 92% 89% 79% 95% No 8 8 11 20 5 DK/NA - - - 1 - 33. Who do you think is more responsible for these toll hikes, Governor Chris Christie or former Governor Jon Corzine? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Christie 33% 12% 54% 30% 27% 38% 26% 61% Corzine 46 69 27 48 52 40 52 20 BOTH(VOL) 4 2 4 5 5 4 3 6 NEITHER(VOL) 4 4 3 4 5 2 5 2 DK/NA 13 13 12 13 11 15 14 11 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Christie 45% 31% 27% 35% 28% Corzine 31 50 49 39 54 BOTH(VOL) 7 4 3 4 4 NEITHER(VOL) 3 4 5 4 3 DK/NA 14 11 16 18 10 34. Would you support or oppose a law that would allow same-sex couples to get married? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 52% 35% 62% 54% 49% 55% 55% 45% Oppose 42 59 33 38 44 40 39 51 DK/NA 6 5 5 8 8 5 6 4 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Support 54% 56% 54% 47% 49% Oppose 38 41 40 46 44 DK/NA 8 3 6 8 7 WHITE...... ATTEND SERVICES Prot Cath Weekly Less Support 44% 50% 36% 61% Oppose 51 45 58 33 DK/NA 5 5 6 6 TREND: Would you support or oppose a law that would allow same-sex couples to get married? Jan 19 Nov 25 Apr 23 Dec 7 Nov 8 2012 2009 2009 2006 2006 Support 52 46 49 44 41 Oppose 42 49 43 50 50 DK/NA 6 6 8 5 9 35. Do you approve or disapprove of New Jersey's law establishing civil unions for same-sex couples? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 69% 65% 69% 71% 69% 69% 74% 53% Disapprove 26 30 26 24 25 26 21 43 DK/NA 5 5 5 5 6 4 5 3 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Approve 64% 69% 76% 69% 69% Disapprove 30 26 21 29 24 DK/NA 7 6 3 3 7 WHITE...... ATTEND SERVICES Prot Cath Weekly Less Approve 70% 71% 58% 75% Disapprove 26 24 38 19 DK/NA 4 5 4 5 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of New Jersey's law establishing civil unions for same-sex couples? (*new law) Jan 19 Apr 23 2012 2009* Approve 69 63 Disapprove 26 30 DK/NA 5 7 36. Do you support or oppose allowing same-sex couples to adopt children? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 66% 59% 71% 69% 64% 68% 71% 48% Oppose 29 37 26 25 31 27 25 50 DK/NA 4 4 3 6 4 4 4 3 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Support 62% 70% 74% 61% 64% Oppose 34 27 21 33 32 DK/NA 4 3 5 6 5 WHITE...... ATTEND SERVICES Prot Cath Weekly Less Support 60% 71% 53% 74% Oppose 34 24 41 23 DK/NA 6 4 6 3 TREND: Do you support or oppose allowing same-sex couples to adopt children? Jan 19 Apr 23 2012 2009 Support 66 60 Oppose 29 32 DK/NA 4 9 37. Some people say that same-sex marriage is a threat to traditional marriage between a man and woman. Do you agree or disagree? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Agree 32% 46% 23% 30% 35% 30% 29% 37% Disagree 65 51 75 67 62 68 68 60 DK/NA 3 3 2 3 3 2 2 3 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Agree 25% 33% 25% 35% 39% Disagree 69 66 73 62 59 DK/NA 6 1 2 3 2 WHITE...... ATTEND SERVICES Prot Cath Weekly Less Agree 36% 35% 46% 25% Disagree 63 62 51 73 DK/NA 2 2 3 2 TREND: Some people say that same-sex marriage is a threat to traditional marriage between a man and woman. Do you agree or disagree? Jan 19 Apr 23 2012 2009 Agree 32 30 Disagree 65 66 DK/NA 3 5 38. Some people say that not allowing same-sex couples to get married is discrimination. Do you agree or disagree? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Agree 53% 32% 65% 56% 50% 56% 55% 54% Disagree 45 66 31 42 49 41 43 43 DK/NA 2 2 4 2 2 3 2 3 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Agree 57% 55% 53% 50% 48% Disagree 42 43 44 47 49 DK/NA 1 2 3 3 3 WHITE...... ATTEND SERVICES Prot Cath Weekly Less Agree 42% 50% 43% 58% Disagree 55 47 55 39 DK/NA 3 2 2 3 TREND: Some people say that not allowing same-sex couples to get married is discrimination. Do you agree or disagree? Jan 19 Apr 23 2012 2009 Agree 53 50 Disagree 45 45 DK/NA 2 5 39. Do you support or oppose legalizing online gambling in New Jersey? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 41% 47% 35% 43% 55% 28% 44% 33% Oppose 52 47 59 52 40 64 50 60 DK/NA 7 6 6 5 6 7 7 8 Philly Urban SbUrbn ExUrbn land Shore Support 40% 41% 40% 37% 47% Oppose 55 53 56 57 43 DK/NA 5 7 4 6 10 WHITE...... ATTEND SERVICES Prot Cath Weekly Less Support 32% 49% 29% 47% Oppose 61 45 63 47 DK/NA 7 6 8 6 Demographic Summary
