Support for the New Jersey Open Space Bond Depends on How Question is Asked

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – New Jersey’s $400 million open space bond issue is at risk of failing, according to a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll released today. Among likely voters in the Nov. 3 election, 43 percent oppose borrowing for open space while 41 percent support the bond issue, a statistical dead heat. Another 16 percent are undecided.

The Rutgers-Eagleton poll results vary dramatically from another recent poll which found 55 percent of likely voters in favor, and only 32 percent opposed. The new Rutgers-Eagleton Poll of 583 likely voters has a margin of error of +/- 4.1 percent.

“It is rare to see such substantial differences in two polls taken at nearly the same time,” said David Redlawsk, director of the Rutgers-Eagleton Poll and professor of political science at Rutgers. “In this case, however, the difference is in the way the question is asked. When voters are cued to the idea that a bond issue means borrowing money, they are far less supportive than when simply told that bonds will be issued.”

The Rutgers-Eagleton Poll asked the question: “Voters will decide whether New Jersey should borrow $400 million to preserve open space, farmland and historic areas. Do you plan to vote for or against borrowing this money?” In comparison, others have simply asked voters whether they support “bonding” for open space without specifying that bonding means borrowing money.

“There is no right or wrong way to ask this question,” said Redlawsk. “Voters are clearly very sensitive to the idea of borrowing money in a recession. At the same time, New Jersey voters have generally been supportive of efforts to protect open space. Placed against each other, these differing results show that the outcome will depend on how voters view the question when they enter the voting booth.”

Support for the open space referendum in the Rutgers-Eagleton Poll depends greatly on where voters live. Those living in the major urban areas of the state support the referendum, 48 percent to 35 percent, while those living in the Philadelphia suburbs and in shore counties oppose it, 51 percent to 35 percent. New Jersey residents in suburban and exurban areas are evenly balanced, with 42 percent favoring and 40 percent opposed.

“Perhaps not surprisingly, those who live in the most densely populated parts of the state are generally in favor of this referendum, while those in the least populated areas are clearly opposed, at least when they are reminded that bond issues require borrowing money,” said Redlawsk.

The fate of the bond could rest at least in part on whether Jon Corzine or Chris Christie voters are more likely to get to the polls. A majority of 51 percent of Corzine voters support borrowing for open space, while only 30 percent of Christie voters do. Daggett voters are somewhat negative, with 40 percent supporting the referendum and 47 percent in opposition.

“The take home message is that over the last week and a half of the campaign, the messages voters get about the open space referendum may make a big difference,” said Redlawsk. “So far, the debate over the referendum has been muted. If those who support the bond issue focus on its benefits, they may convince people to look beyond the borrowing and the bond will pass. Those who want to defeat the referendum may have a chance if they can focus voters on the fact that bond issues are about borrowing money. If so, this will be a close vote.”