Results from a Nationwide Survey on Campaign Finance and Spending Limits
Released January 2006
The National Voting Rights Institute, a close ally of Demos in the election reform arena, commissioned Lake Research Partners to design and administer a national survey to assess attitudes and perceptions of campaign finance and spending limits, and determine whether the American public feels there is need for reform.
Overview of Findings
- There is overwhelming support for election campaign spending limits as a way of improving the fairness, honesty and integrity of elections.
- Voters expect a number of specific, positive outcomes if campaign spending limits are enacted, including candidates spending more time on their official duties and talking to voters about the issues rather than wealthy contributors.
- These beliefs are remarkably consistent across demographic, geographic, and partisan groups.
Methodology
The survey, conducted by telephone using professional interviewers, reached 1000 adults who indicated they are registered to vote. The survey was conducted between December 5-8, 2005.
Telephone numbers for the survey were drawn from random digit dial (RDD)sample of all households with telephones in the United States. Phone numbers were then put into clusters using acceptedindustry methodology to ensure that each cluster represented each region of the United States, ensuring a representative yet random sample. The data were weighted by race and age to reflect the proportions found in the national registered voter population.
The margin of error for this survey is +/-3.1%. Margins of error for subgroups are greater.
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