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May 9, 2002

Fact Sheet: Influence of Politics and Money of Chief Concern to Voters

Excerpted from a Spring 2002 public opinion survey commissioned by the N.C. Center for Voter Education

PROBLEMS & PERCEPTIONS

Big Money & Conflicts of Interest. Of primary concern to voters is the increasing role that money plays in judicial elections. Eighty four percent (84 percent) of those surveyed express concern that lawyers are some of the biggest campaign contributors to judicial candidates, and 78 percent think that campaign contributions influence judges’ decisions “a great deal” or “some”. Likewise, 85 percent worry that the rapid escalation in the cost to run for a judicial seat is a barrier to otherwise qualified candidates seeking election.

Partisan Politics. As public policy battles are increasingly being waged in courtrooms, 79 percent of voters express a desire for their courts to be free of political and public pressure. Support for non-partisan judicial elections is overwhelming: 89% believe judicial elections should be conducted independent of political parties, including 79 percent who say they feel “strongly” this way.

A Lack of Information. According to the survey, voters report a significant lack of information about judicial candidates. A majority of voters -- 57 percent -- reported having little or no information at all about candidates in the last judicial election, while only 6 percent reported having “a great deal of information”.

SOLUTIONS

Broad Support For Reform. Given the problems with judicial elections identified by voters in the survey, support for reforms is to be expected. A judicial reform proposal currently being considered by the North Carolina Legislature is favored by 71 percent of all voters, and strong support is exhibited across party lines (71 percent for Democrats, 70 percent for Republicans and 79 percent for Independents). The proposal would provide a public financing alternative for qualified candidates; establish non-partisan elections for all judicial races; and mandate a voter’s guide in which candidates could list their qualifications and experience.

Support For Action Now. More than three-quarters of voters (77 percent) agree that regardless of other important issues facing the state, the Governor and legislature need to address judicial reform before the next election.

Survey conducted April 29-May 2, 2002
N=600 likely voters. Margin of error +/- 4 percent
Data collection and analysis by American Viewpoint