Gonzales Poll Shows 67% of Marylanders Support a 3/5ths Vote Requirement for Tax Hikes 2-10-09

Gonzales Research &  Marketing Strategies

www.gonzalesresearch.com 

Conducted for:  Senator Andy Harris 
 
January 2009 Statewide Results 

 

Methodology 
 
 

Patrick E. Gonzales graduated from the University of Baltimore in 1981 with a degree in political science.  He began his career as an analyst with Mason-Dixon Opinion Research and is the former president of Mason-Dixon Campaign Polling and Gonzales/Arscott Research & Communications, Inc.   

Mr. Gonzales has polled and analyzed hundreds of elections in Maryland since the mid 1980’s.  Additionally, he and his associates have conducted numerous market research projects and crafted message development programs for businesses and organizations throughout the state. 

Hilary Duff Gonzales is Director of Sales and Marketing for Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies.  Mrs. Gonzales has over 20 years experience promoting the state of Maryland, particularly in the tour and travel industry. 

This survey was conducted by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies from January 5^th through January 9^th, 2009.  A total of 842 registered voters in Maryland were interviewed by telephone.  A cross-section of interviews was conducted in each jurisdiction within the state to reflect general election voting patterns.  

The margin of error (MOE), according to customary statistical standards, is no more than plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.  There is a 95 percent probability that the “true” figures would fall within this range if the entire survey universe were sampled.  The margin for error is higher for any demographic subgroup, such as gender, age or race.  

      Maryland Statewide Poll Sample Demographics 

 
 
 
 

Regional Groupings are as follows: 

 

 

 

Summary 
 

Statewide, 67% of voters say they would favor a change in Maryland law that required a “super-majority” vote of sixty percent in the state legislature to pass any tax increase, while 29% say they would oppose such a change, with 4% offering no response.     

Seventy-one percent of whites favor a change to a 60 percent “super-majority” vote in the state legislature to pass a tax increase and 25% oppose it, while 55% of African-Americans favor a “super-majority” and 40% oppose it. 

Nearly three-fourths of voters in the Baltimore Suburbs (72%), the Eastern Sore/Southern Maryland (75%), and Western Maryland (78%) say they would favor a change in Maryland law that required a “super-majority” vote of sixty percent in the state legislature to pass any tax increase.     
 

A look at the results by party affiliation: 

QUESTION: Currently, Maryland law requires only a simple majority vote of 50 percent in the state legislature to pass a tax increase.  Would you favor or oppose a change in Maryland law that required a “super-majority” vote of 60 percent in the state legislature to pass any tax increase?

Statewide Results 

 
 

      Party – Favor or oppose a change in Maryland law that required a “super-majority” vote of 60 percent in the state legislature to pass any tax increase? 

      Race - Favor or oppose a change in Maryland law that required a “super-majority” vote of 60 percent in the state legislature to pass any tax increase? 

       Gender - Favor or oppose a change in Maryland law that required a “super-majority” vote of 60 percent in the state legislature to pass any tax increase? 

      Region - Favor or oppose a change in Maryland law that required a “super-majority” vote of 60 percent in the state legislature to pass any tax increase?