New poll from UNF says crime a top concern

Education, economy/jobs and pension problems also top the list

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The first day of early voting got off to a mostly smooth start with more than 1800 voters casting their ballots before 10:00 a.m. Monday morning.

But what are the issues that voters say are the most important to them during this election? 

According to a new poll from the Public Opinion Research Laboratory at the University of North Florida, crime tops the list of concerns among local voters in Duval County, 

"This is a chance for everyone who claims they have an opinion, and want change, to voice it at the polls, that's why I think it's important," said voter Vanessa Jones.

The results, released by UNF Monday morning, revealed the statistics of answers from a poll given to 546 likely voters in Duval County,

When asked about the most important problem facing Jacksonville today, 33 percent of likely voters answered crime, 17 percent answered education and 13 percent said the economy/jobs.

Only 9 percent of likely voters think solving the public pension problem is Jacksonville's most important problem, and the two most discussed plans are only receiving little support.

When asked whether voters support or oppose a half-cent tax increase dedicated to reducing the pension obligation, 48 percent indicated support for the plan, while 45 percent were opposed to the idea.

When asked whether voters support or oppose having JEA pay a one-time lump sum to help pay down the pension obligation in exchange for reduced payments to the city's general fund in the future, only 45 percent were supportive of the idea, while 46 percent were opposed.

Regarding the Human Rights Ordinance, 62 percent of likely voters approve of the city adding sexual orientation to the existing list of groups protected from workplace discrimination, while a mere 27 percent are opposed.

When asked to rate the environmental quality of the St. Johns River, 55 percent of likely voters think the river is either mostly or very polluted. A solid majority (58 percent to 38 percent) of likely voters are supportive of a one-cent tax increase if those funds went to restoring the health of the St. Johns River.

Forty percent of the likely voters polled approve of the job that the Jacksonville City Council is doing. Twenty-four percent of those polled approve of the job that Matt Shirk, public defender, is doing, while 37 percent disapprove and 38 percent didn't know or refused to answer. State Attorney Angela Corey has a job approval rating of 35 percent, while, 51 percent of voters disapprove of the job she is doing.

The Public Opinion Research Laboratory, through the use of a 27-station telephone-polling laboratory at UNF, conducted the survey. About 120 UNF students participated in the data collection.

RELATED STORIES ON UNF POLLING:
Voters indecisive as election nears | UNF students conduct poll

A polling sample of randomly selected likely voters was drawn from the Duval County Supervisor of Elections voter file. Likely voters are classified as voters who cast a ballot in three of the four previous general elections (2011 first election, 2011 general election, 2012 general election and 2014 general election) or for more recently registered voters if they have voted in all eligible general elections (both 2012 and 2014, or only 2014 if they were registered to voter after the 2012 general election).

The survey was conducted Monday, Feb. 23, through Friday, Feb. 27, and includes 546 adult registered likely voters in Duval County with a margin of error of +/-4 percent. Race, gender and party registration were weighted to reflect an electorate that is similar to what turned out in March 2011 -- partisan registration is roughly equal and African-American voters represent approximately 28 percent of electorate.


About the Authors:

Tarik anchors the 4, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. weekday newscasts and reports with the I-TEAM.