All question texts, references to and results from data, and other information on this site (c) 2000 Florida International University
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| Data from the FIU/Florida Poll. (c) 1992, 1999, 2000. Florida International University. Current 2000 data is preliminary and is based on 954 interviews completed between October 13 and November 2, 2000. Interviewing will be completed before the election and full results will be available on the IPOR home page on November 16, 2000 (http://www.fiu.edu/orgs/ipor) |
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These tables give percentages of potential voters who answered "raising taxes" to the question "Florida, like most states, faces the problem of not having enough tax money to pay for the various services and programs that it provides. One way to deal with this problem is to raise taxes. Another way to deal with the problem is to reduce services and programs. In general, which would you prefer, raising taxes, or reducing services and programs?".
For this question the percentages are calculated by dividing the number answering "raising taxes" by the total including those who did not give an answer. The reason for doing this is that on this widely used tracking question many respondents do not agree with either alternative. They are coded "no reponse" but they are also not willing to say "raise taxes".
The overall percentages on this issue show an interesting trend. Eight years ago, in the midst of economic recession a slight majority of voters prefered to raise taxes rather than cut services. A year ago only 42% felt this way and undecided voters were closer to the position of Bush voters. The current data show much more polarization -- a 32 percentage point gap between Bush voters and Gore voters. Undecided voters are now closer to Gore's position: this issue could wind up helping Gore.
These trends are also an indication that the debate over tax cuts during the campaign may have prompted a reconsideration of tax issues among some voters.
Hugh Gladwin email: gladwin@fiu.edu
