UW-Fox Valley Class Survey: Political System Corrupt

NOTE: The following is a poll conducted by UW Fox-Valley student Michael Hengels on October 28th, 2002 as part of a class project. The poll surveyed 21 University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley students.

Michael Hengels submitted a copy of the poll results to Commentary. He said, "The most interesting results to me, apart from the reasons people gave as to why they would not vote, is the fact that so many felt the system was so currupt, yet the way we conduct elections should not be improved. I wonder why they don't think we should fix it if they clearly believe it's broken! . . . I think the clear loser here is the media, which most people (62%) think need to do a better job (see question #11)."

SURVEY RESULTS:

1. Do you plan to vote in the state and congressional elections on November 5th?

2. Please explain why you plan to vote or not vote.

• Because I know my vote makes a difference.
• I am not all on top of the info I need to research a bit more before deciding if I want to vote and who for.
• I don’t plan to vote because I haven’t taken the time to learn about the candidates.
• Then I can’t bitch if the guy I vote for loses.
• Because it gives me a chance to speak up about how I feel.
• If I don’t, I don’t have a right to complain about my government, and I feel the race is going to be really tight, every vote counts.
• To have my say.
• B/c I’m sick of people saying 18-25 yr. olds don’t vote.
• I feel it’s the right thing to do.
• Because I don’t live at my permanent address most of the time I have not gotten an absentee ballot.
• Support the candidates I like.
• I plan to vote because I can’t stand Scott McCallum as our governor. He’s absolutely terrible, and I definitely don’t want to see him in office again.
• I plan to vote.
• I haven’t been following the candidates very closely and I don’t want to make a hasty vote.
• I do not care.
• I am voting because I can.
• Because the election will effect me.
• Voting is important to me. There is a sheriff’s race that I already want to vote for.
• I haven’t listened to any of the candidates yet.
• Because Scott needs to win!
• A right in the country we take for granted. Do my best get the one I want into office.

3. To what extent do you believe politicians are influenced by those who give money to their campaigns? (place a mark anywhere on the line):

0% (not influenced at all) 50% (influenced somewhat) 100% (influenced completely)
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Average: 74% (mean)

4. Do you support some form of public financing of political campaigns?

5. Have you heard of Instant Runoff Voting?

6. Have you heard of Proportional Representation?

7. Do you believe the way we conduct elections in this country should be changed?

8. Voter turnout in the United States is typically much lower than most western democracies. What is one reason you believe many people do not vote?

• People don’t care.
• They don’t care, we hear about this stuff way too much, over bearing.
• They don’t want to take the time-not interesting enough to them.
• Better things to do.
• They don’t feel they make a difference.
• Ignorance.
• Do not believe their vote will make a difference or have no interest.
• Not educated.
• We don’t care enough. We think everything will be ok without any participation from us.
• Sometimes it seems like there are not enough choices in candidates, and most don’t seem to mean what they say.
• Too many young people with not enough money.
• I have never voted before because of the fact I can’t stand politics. Everyone says the same thing yet they are full of crap
• Because they don’t care.
• People are tired of the political mudslinging and the same lines that politicians use every year.
• They don’t feel they matter.
• People are lazy.
• People don’t care.
• They don’t care and are turned off by the political campaigns.
• People feel safe either way and they know they will not have to worry about a crazy president.
• They don’t care about voting.
• They think their votes don’t really matter. Don’t care who wins. Lazy.

9. After each of the following candidates for governor of Wisconsin, place a check if you heard of that person:

10. After each of the following candidates for governor of Wisconsin, place a check if you believe you know enough about this candidate:

11. Of the above candidates, only two have advertised on television. If there are candidates you do not feel you know enough about, do you feel that the media or the government has a responsibility to help inform you about
the candidates?

• Yes, both media and government are responsible 12 (57%)
• Yes, media is responsible 1 (5%)
• Yes, government is responsible 1 (5%)
• No, neither media nor government is responsible 7 (33%)

12. How satisfied are you with the current government (governor and legislature) of Wisconsin?

0% (not satisfied at all) 50%(somewhat satisfied) 100% (not satisfied at all)
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Average: 45% (mean)

Survey conducted by Michael Hengels on October 28th among UW-Fox Valley Students.

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