Vermont Poll

HOW THE POLL WAS CONDUCTED

This poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Inc. of
Washington, D.C. from October 11 through October 13, 2010. A total
of 625 registered Vermont voters were interviewed statewide by
telephone. All indicated they were likely to vote in the November
general election.
Those interviewed were selected by the random variation of the last
four digits of telephone numbers. A cross-section of exchanges was
utilized in order to ensure an accurate reflection of the state.
Quotas were assigned to reflect the voter turn-out by county.
The margin for error, according to standards customarily used by
statisticians, is no more than plus or minus 4 percentage points.
This means that there is a 95 percent probability that the "true"
figure would fall within that range if the entire population were
sampled. The margin for error is higher for any subgroup, such as a
regional or gender grouping.
-----------------------------------------------------------------SAMPLE FIGURES:
Men 307 (49%)

Women 318 (51%)

REGION
Chittenden County
Northwest Vermont
Northeast Vermont
Southern Vermont

155
175
90
205

interviews
interviews
interviews
interviews

When referencing, please credit VPR Vermont Poll

Vermont Poll
REGIONAL GROUPINGS
NORTHWEST VERMONT: Voters interviewed in Addison, Franklin, Grand
Isle, Lamoille, and Washington Counties.
NORTHEAST VERMONT: Voters interviewed in Caledonia, Essex, Orange,
and Orleans Counties.
SOUTHERN VERMONT: Voters interviewed in Bennington, Rutland,
Windham, and Windsor Counties.
QUESTION: How would you characterize the tenor of this years
campaign for governor? Would you say it has been:
Mostly Positive
Mostly Negative
A mix of both positive & negative
Not Sure (NOT READ)

7%
44%
46%
3%

QUESTION: What do you feel is the single most important state issue
facing Vermont today?
Economy/Jobs
Government Spending/Taxes/State Budget
Education
Healthcare
Energy/Alternative Fuels
Environment/Growth & Sprawl
Social Issues/Family Values (abortion/gay rights)
Immigration
Roads/Bridges/Transportation
Other/Not Sure

58%
20%
7%
6%
4%
2%
1%
2%

When referencing, please credit VPR Vermont Poll

Vermont Poll
QUESTION: The Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant is scheduled to
close in 2012. Do you support or oppose extending the operating
license for 20 years?

SUPPORT
OPPOSE
UNDECIDED

STATE

MEN

WOMEN

DEMS

REPS

INDS

39%
44%
17%

47%
39%
14%

32%
48%
20%

9%
80%
11%

66%
14%
20%

45%
34%
21%

QUESTION: Do you support or oppose Vermonts Education Commissioners

proposal to consolidate 278 school districts into 45 school districts
to save administrative costs, which could result in the closing of
some smaller schools?

SUPPORT
OPPOSE
UNDECIDED

STATE

MEN

WOMEN

DEMS

REPS

INDS

45%
36%
19%

49%
34%
17%

41%
38%
21%

34%
40%
26%

51%
37%
12%

50%
33%
17%

QUESTION: How concerned are you about the security and future of
your own job, or the jobs of any close family members living in
Vermont? Are you:
Very Concerned
Somewhat Concerned
Not Too Concerned
Not At All Concerned
Not Sure (NOT READ)

34%
33%
18%
14%
1%

When referencing, please credit VPR Vermont Poll

Vermont Poll
QUESTION: Which one of the following best describes your view
regarding the future of the health care system: (ORDER ROTATED)
34% Create a government financed program similar to
Medicare for everyone
26% Continue to rely primarily on private insurance and
employer-based programs
22% Create a public option based on the Catamount Health
program
18% Other/Not Sure (NOT READ)
QUESTION: Due to current economic conditions, have you or your
family changed or delayed plans for college, marriage, children,
retirement or other major life decisions, or not?
YES
NO
NOT SURE

27%
70%
3%

QUESTION: Due to current economic conditions, have you recently

missed any scheduled payments on household bills, or not?
YES
NO

7%
93%

When referencing, please credit VPR Vermont Poll

Vermont Poll
DEMOGRAPHICS:
SEX:

Male
Female

307 (49%)
318 (51%)

AGE:

18-34
35-49
50-64
65+
Refused

73
176
184
191
1

PARTY ID:

Democrat
Republican
Independent

205 (33%)
162 (26%)
258 (41%)

REGION:

Chittenden County
Northwest VT
Northeast VT
Southern VT

155
175
90
205

(12%)
(28%)
(29%)
(31%)

(25%)
(28%)
(14%)
(33%)

When referencing, please credit VPR Vermont Poll