Presentation Of Findings From A Survey Of Maine Voters

1
Maine Environmental Poll A poll commissioned
by Maine Conservation Voters Education
Fund League of Conservation Voters Education Fund

• Presentation Of Findings From A Survey Of Maine
  Voters
• The Mellman Group
• August 19-22, 2002

The Maine Conservation Voters Education Fund and
the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
are nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization
dedicated to raising awareness about
environmental issues, increasing the capacity and
effectiveness of state and local environmental
groups, and encouraging citizens to participate
in the democratic process.  The Maine poll is
available on the web from Maine Conservation
Voter Education Fund, visit www.protect Maine.org
or the LCV Education Fund at w w
w.VoteEnvironment.org.
2
Methodology

• 400 likely general election voters surveyed
• Over sample of an additional 202 voters from
  the central region, including Androscoggin,
  Franklin, Kennebec And Oxford Counties for a
  total of 602 Interviews
• Over sample weighted to proper proportion in
  Central region
• Interviews completed August 19-22, 2002
• Margin of error is /- 4.9 for whole sample,
  larger for subgroups

3
Regional County Map
NORTH
Aroostook
Piscataquis
Somerset
CENTRAL
COAST
Lincoln
Sagadahoc
Androscoggin
SOUTH
4
Maine Citizens Tend To Be Older And Well Educated
5
Mainers Are Older
Citizens By Age

49
6
A Majority Have At Least Some College College
Education
Education of Citizens

65
7
Southern And Central Maine Are More Populated
Than Coastal And Northern Maine
Primary voters by media market
8
Large Majorities Take Part In Outdoor Activities
Which of the following activities have you
participated in during the last 12 months?
yes
9
Nearly All Citizens Say They Have Participated In
One Or More Activities And Over Half Have Engaged
In Four Or More
Which of the following activities have you
participated in during the last 12 months?
yes
10
A Majority Of Citizens Say Maine Is On The Wrong
Track
Generally speaking, do you feel that things in
Maine are going in the right direction, or are
they pretty seriously off the wrong track?
Right Direction 38
Wrong Track 47
11
Environmental Issues Are An Important Factor In
Voting Decisions
12
An Overwhelming Majority Say Environmental Issues
Are An Important Factor In Their Voting
DecisionsDescribing The Issues As Clean Air,
Clean Water And Open Space Evokes More Intense
Responses Than Conservation Or Environmental
Issues
In making a voting decision, how important are
conservation or environmental issues for you in
deciding how to vote?
In making a voting decision, how important are
issues involving clean water, clean air and open
spaces for you in deciding how to vote?
Darker Shading Stronger Intensity
13
Citizens Throughout The State Say Environmental
Issues Are An Important Part Of Their Decision
Making Process
Environment importance to vote by region
14
Large Majorities From Every Party Say
Environmental Issues Are An Important Part Of
Their Decision Making Process
Environment importance to vote by party
15
Mainers Prefer A Candidate Who Favors Strong
Environmental Laws Over One Who Wants To
Encourage Voluntary Action
Please tell me which candidate you favor
20
Darker Shading Stronger Intensity
16
Adding Information About Ratings From
Environmental Groups And Campaign Contributions
From Polluters Increases The Margin In Favor Of
The Pro-Environment Candidate
Candidate A says we must protect the environment
and supports strong laws and enforcement of those
laws to protect our land, air and
water. Candidate B says we must protect the
environment but says that voluntary action by
business and less government bureaucracy are the
best ways to protect our land, air and water. .
Candidate A says we must protect the environment
and supports strong laws and enforcement of those
laws to protect our land, air and water.
Candidate A has received high scores and campaign
contributions from environmental
groups.  Candidate B says we must protect the
environment but says that voluntary action by
business and less government bureaucracy is the
best way to protect our land, air and water.
Candidate B has received low scores from
environmental groups and has received campaign
contributions from developers and corporations
that are known polluters.
20
45
17
A Majority Of Mainers From Every Region Choose An
Environmental Candidate
Candidate A/B by region
18
Mainers See No Conflict Between A Strong Economy
And Clean Environment
19
Three-Quarters Believe There Is No Conflict
Between A Strong Economy And A Clean Environment
Which of the following statements comes closer to
your own view?
We can have a clean environment and a strong
economy at the same time without having to choose
one over the other
DK
Sometimes a clean environment and a strong
economy are in conflict and we must choose one
over the other
20
Large Majorities Across Every Region Say A Clean
Environment And Strong Economy Can Co-Exist
Environment/economy by region
21
Nearly Three-Quarters Or More From Every Party
Say A Clean Environment And Strong Economy Can
Co-Exist
Environment/economy by party
22
But If Forced To Choose, Citizens Divide Nearly
Evenly Between The Environment And The Economy
If the choice must be made between a clean
environment and a strong economy, which would you
choose the environment or the economy?
23
In The South, Central, And Coastal Regions The
Environment Is Chosen Over The Economy
Environment/economy choice by region
24
Maine Citizens Want Better Enforcement Of
Environmental Laws
25
Almost Half Believe Environmental Laws Need To Be
More Strictly EnforcedFew Support Either The
Status Quo Or Relaxed Standards
Which of the following comes closer to your own
view?
Current laws protecting the environment are too
strict and should be relaxed
The current laws and enforcement are fine and
should be left alone
The laws protecting the environment are not
strong enough, and stronger laws should be enacted
Current laws are tough enough but they are not
enforced, existing laws should be strictly
enforced
26
The Desire For Stronger Enforcement Transcends Age
Environmental laws by age
27
A Plurality Of Those From Every Education Level
Are Supportive Of Stronger Enforcement Of Current
LawsThose Best Educated Are More Supportive Of
Stronger Laws Than Others
Environmental laws by education
28
At Least A Plurality In Every Region Support
Better Enforcement Of Existing Environmental Laws
Environmental laws by region
29
Water And Air Pollution Are Prime Concerns And
Mainers Believe They Are Linked To Health Problems
30
An Overwhelming Majority Believe Pollution Causes
Health Problems
Please tell me which comes closest to your point
of view?
There is not enough scientific evidence to prove
that environmental problems cause health problems
Dont Know
Environmental problems such as air and water
pollution cause health problems like asthma,
other respiratory problems and cancers
31
Urban Dwellers And Women Are Most Likely To Say
Environmental Problems Cause Health Problems,
Though All Groups Agree
Environmental problems like air and water
pollution cause health problems like asthma,
other respiratory problems, and cancers
cause health problems
32
Drinking Water Quality And Pollution In Lakes And
Rivers Are The Most Important Environmental Goals
For An Elected Official
very important thing for elected official to be
working on
protecting the quality of our drinking water
protecting our lakes and rivers from pollution
working to increase energy efficiency
improving air quality
protecting the North Woods
protecting endangered animal species
working to prevent over-dev sprawl
33
The Most Convincing Reasons To Support Elected
Officials In Maine Include Protecting Drinking
Water, Leaving A Legacy, And TourismDeveloping
Forest Land Is The Least Convincing Reason
convincing
protect drinking water from pollutants
leaving kids a clean/ healthy environment
reduce air poll that is leading to asthma and
cancer
says a clean environment will draw
business/tourism
reduce the pollution that endangers our health
protect forests and oppose clear cutting
seek new industries that require developing
forest land
Darker Shading Stronger Intensity
34
Clean Water And Air Are Mainers Top
Environmental Concerns
35
Clean Water And Air Top The List Of
Environmental ConcernsOther Major Issues Are Of
Somewhat Greater Concern
ranked by mean concern (scale 1-10)
Non-enviro
Enviro
Extremely concerned
Not concerned
36
Women And Less Educated Citizens Are Most
Concerned About Air Quality
mean concern -air quality by group
37
Older Citizens And Less Educated Citizens Are
Also Most Concerned About Water Quality
mean concern-water quality by group
38
Concerns About Clean Air Are Stronger In The
Central Region Of The State And Smaller Towns
Region
City Size
ranked by mean concern rating
39
Concerns About Clean Water Are More Salient To
Those In Larger Towns And On The Coast
Region
City Size
ranked by mean concern rating
40
Proposals That Address Mainers Top Environmental
Concerns Receive Strong And Widespread Support
41
The Most Popular Air Quality Proposals Include
Planning Towns For Biking And Walking, Public
Transportation, And Higher Fuel Efficiency,
Though All Proposals Receive Majority Support
ranked by strongly favor
78
-16
53
Plan towns so biking/walking are convenient
77
-16
50
Improve/expand public trans
69
-26
49
Require vehicles in ME to get more mpg
68
-27
Stricter air pollution standards
48
59
-35
Tax incentives for efficient vehicles
38
darker shadingstronger intensity
42
All Of The Water Pollution Proposals Are
Overwhelmingly Popular
ranked by strongly favor
89
-8
Require paper mills to reduce poll
76
-7
89
household hazardous waste program
74
82
Require computer mfgs to establish recycling
programs
-12
67
77
-18
58
Expand Maines bottle bill
darker shadingstronger intensity
43
While Growth Is Not A Dirty Word, Mainers Favor
A Variety Of Smart Growth Proposals
44
Few Believe Development Has Damaged Their Quality
Of Life
In the last five years, do you think development
in your area has improved the quality of life in
your community, made the quality of life in your
community worse or has had no effect on the
quality of life in your community?
Darker Shading Stronger Intensity
45
Mainers In The Southern Portion Of The State Are
More Likely To Say Development Has Worsened The
Quality Of Life In Their Community
development by region
46
Small Town And Rural Mainers Are Most Likely To
Say Development Has Damaged Their Quality Of Life
development by area
47
All The Proposals To Address Sprawl Garner
Majority Support The Most Popular Include
Renovation Over Construction And Locating
Businesses In Town
ranked by strongly favor
83
-12
renovation of bldngs, not new construction
66
79
-13
60
Encourage businesses to locate in town
neighborhoods w/ hsing/stores/offices w/in
walking distance
70
-23
48
-35
55
not allow devt beyond a boundary
37
54
-40
Govt funds to buy open space/farms
35
Give planning agencies more powers
-33
58
34
darker shadingstronger intensity