Rutgers Class Conducts Exit Poll in 7th Districts Tight Race Between Ferguson and Stender; Results available from Eagleton Institute of Politics tonight

Nov. 7, 2006

EDITORS NOTE: ATTENTION POLITICAL, ASSIGNMENT EDITORS, to learn more, contact Randi Chmielewski, 732-932-9384, ext. 268, or randic@rci.rutgers.edu.

RUTGERS CLASS CONDUCTS EXIT POLL IN NEW JERSEYS 7th DISTRICT IN TIGHT RACE BETWEEN FERGUSON AND STENDER

Results available from Eagleton Institute of Politics tonight

-->

WHAT:	Exit poll from scientifically selected voter sample in the 7th Congressional District (Republican incumbent Michael Ferguson versus Democrat Linda Stender)
WHO:	Students in the class Public Opinion Polling taught by Jane Junn, associate professor of political science and Eagleton faculty associate, at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, will conduct the poll.
WHEN:	A news release with results of the 7th Congressional District exit poll will be available from the Eagleton Institute of Politics at about 10 p.m via fax or e-mail. Contact Junn at 732-932-9384, ext. 250, or junn@rci.rutgers.edu.
WHERE:	Wood Lawn, 191 Ryders Lane, Douglass campus, New Brunswick

BACKGROUND: The contest between Ferguson and Stender for the U.S. House seat in the 7th Congressional District is one of the key races to watch in the election. While outcomes are known as soon as precincts report data, an evidence-based explanation of voter behavior is often elusive. The data collected at the polls and analyzed at the Eagleton Institute of Politics will be able to answer such questions as:

Did moderate Republican voters, particularly women, leave Ferguson for Stender? Were Republican men more supportive of Ferguson?

Was support for Stender stronger among Democratic women than men?

Which issues were most important to loyal Ferguson voters, and what was significant to Stender voters?

How important were the war in Iraq and sentiment toward President Bush for voters?

How important were the political issues of corruption and immigration to the voters?

Contact: Steve Manas
732-932-7084, ext. 612
E-mail: smanas@ur.rutgers.edu