Rutgers-Eagleton Poll Finds New Jerseyans Overwhelmingly Believe State Politics are Corrupt

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – As New Jersey voters elected a corruption-busting former U.S. Attorney to the Governor’s Office, a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll of state residents finds overwhelming belief that New Jersey politics are corrupt, with more than half believing the state is more corrupt than other states. At the same time, they are divided about the harshness of punishment to be meted out to those accused of corruption, believing accused officials should not summarily have their pay and benefits cut off, but that they should be forced to leave office upon being accused.

Respondents also think citizens groups are best-equipped to help raise ethical standards in politics; 28 percent tap these groups, while 22 percent think state and federal prosecutors should lead this fight.

The poll of 903 New Jersey adults was fielded October 15-20 and has a margin of error of +/-3.3 percentage points.

Perceptions of Corruption in New Jersey

Almost two-thirds of respondents (65 percent) say there is “a lot” of political corruption in New Jersey, while 26 percent say there is “some” and only 5 percent say there is “little” political corruption. In comparison, when asked about corruption in New Jersey business, 80 percent are evenly split between “a lot” and “some” corruption, and 10 percent think there is only a little corruption.

A similar question on political corruption asked by a Rutgers-Eagleton Poll in October 2007 also found 65 percent thought there was a lot of corruption in New Jersey. In August 2004, only 45 percent felt the same.

“The comparison with beliefs about business is instructive,” said David Redlawsk, director of the Rutgers-Eagleton Poll and professor of political science. “A large share of New Jerseyans thinks corruption pervades both business and politics, but many more seem to find politics especially corrupt. Moreover, they have become more negative over the past few years. The result is increased cynicism and negativity about government and politics.”

Exit polls show that while corruption was the No. 1 issue for only 20 percent of Tuesday’s voters, both Republican Chris Christie and Democrat Jon Corzine were viewed quite negatively by many in the electorate. “Many voters are unhappy about corruption but at the same time they are doubtful that any politician can really clean things up,” said Redlawsk.

When asked to compare states, 54 percent of respondents say that New Jersey is more corrupt than other states, while 40 percent believe corruption in New Jersey is about the same as elsewhere. Only 3 percent believe New Jersey is less corrupt.

The results show a dramatic surge over the past decade in the belief that New Jersey is more corrupt. Redlawsk noted that in a 1974 poll, only 16 percent thought New Jersey was more corrupt than other states, and the percentage dropped to 11 percent in 2002. “With recent high-profile corruption arrests and convictions, New Jerseyans have become much more negative about how corrupt their state really is,” he said.

Penalties for Officials Accused of Corruption

After the July 2009 arrests of legislators and local officials on corruption charges, Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts Jr. announced the immediate cutoff of pay and benefits to three legislators who had been accused. By 58 percent to 36 percent, poll respondents say that such penalties should be applied only after conviction. But when asked if officials who have only been accused of corruption should be forced to leave office, 50 percent say yes; 42 percent say such officials should be allowed to stay in office until found guilty.

“These conflicting results show the sense of frustration voters feel about corruption,” said Redlawsk. “They recognize that an accusation is not the same as a conviction, and thus do not support cutting off pay and benefits. However, they do think those accused must leave office, which, of course, would cut off their pay and benefits. The difference may be due to a sense of fair play – those still in office should get paid for their work, regardless. But people would be happier if accused officials went quietly.”

New Jersey Residents Prefer Honest Officials, even if Ineffective

The poll tested tolerance for corruption by asking respondents to choose between a “politician who might be corrupt but could get important things done” and “an honest politician who had trouble making things happen.” Overwhelmingly, New Jerseyans choose the honest

politician, 78 percent to 15 percent. When asked, “In government, corrupt means are needed to achieve important goals,” 80 percent disagree, while only 15 percent agree.

Distinctions Between Lawbreaking and Favoritism

The poll presented five specific activities (below) that citizens or public officials might consider corrupt. The first three are illegal:

• A bribe to avoid a speeding ticket
• No-bid contracts by a City Council member
• “Ghost” employees on a senator’s staff
• Access to the governor by a corporate executive campaign donor
• Candidate promises to fill potholes.

Respondents overwhelmingly consider lawbreaking to be corrupt, with from 65 percent to 87 percent considering these three activities to be “extremely corrupt.” Interestingly, 30 to 40 percent consider the last two items – which are not illegal – to be “extremely corrupt.”

“There is such a pervasive sense that politics is corrupt in New Jersey that it spills over to activities, like pothole-filling promises, that are simply part of the political process,” said Redlawsk. “

Residents Call on Citizens Groups to Take the Lead

Citizens groups are preferred by 28 percent of respondents to take the lead in raising ethical standards, while 22 percent think it is up to state and federal prosecutors. The governor and the state Legislature are each named by 17 percent, while only 3 percent think business leaders should take the lead on political corruption and ethical standards.

“These results are similar to what we found in a 2006 poll, when 25 percent picked citizens groups, followed by the governor (20 percent), prosecutors (19 percent) and the Legislature (12 percent),” noted Redlawsk. “More than half of all New Jersey residents look outside for help – either through citizens groups, prosecutors, or business leaders, another indicator of the lack of trust that politicians can get the job done.”