Voting and Civic Engagement Supplement
Items Booklet
NOVEMBER 2008 VOTING AND
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT SUPPLEMENT
TO THE CURRENT POPULATION SURVEY
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PRESUP1 This month we have some questions concerning voting and registration.
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S1 In any election, some people are not able to vote because they are sick or busy or have some other reason, and others do not want to vote. On November 4, 2008, there were general national elections for political offices such as senators, congressman, and governors. Did you vote in the election held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008?
Yes
No
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S2 (Were you/Was name) registered to vote in the November 4, 2008 election?
Yes
No
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S3 Which of the following was the MAIN reason (you/name) (was/were) not registered to vote?
[READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY TO THE RESPONDENT. Enter only ONE answer.]
(1) Did not meet registration deadlines
(2) Did not know where or how to register
(3) Did not meet residency requirements/did not live here long enough
(4) Permanent illness or disability
(5) Difficulty with English
(6) Not interested in the election or not involved in politics
(7) My vote would not make a difference
(8) Not eligible to vote
Other reason ______________________________________
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S4 What was the main reason (you/name) did not vote?
[READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY TO THE RESPONDENT. Enter only ONE]
Illness or disability (own or family's)
Out of town or away from home
Forgot to vote (or send in absentee ballot)
Not interested, felt my vote wouldn't make a difference
Too busy, conflicting work or school schedule
Transportation problems
Didn't like candidates or campaign issues
Registration problems (i.e. didn't receive absentee ballot, not
registered in current location)
Bad weather conditions
Inconvenient hours, polling place or hours or lines too long
Other
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S5 Did (you/he/she) vote in person or did (you/he/she) vote by mail?
(1) In person
(2) By mail
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S6 Was that on election day or before election day?
On election day
Before election day
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S7 There are various places and ways people can register to vote.
The last time (you/he/she) registered, how did (you/name) register to vote?
[READ EACH ANSWER CATEGORY TO THE RESPONDENT. Enter only ONE answer.]
At a department of motor vehicles (for example, when obtaining a driver’s license or
other identification card)
(2) At a public assistance agency (for example, a Medicaid, AFDC, or Food Stamps office, an office serving disabled persons, or an unemployment office)
(3) Registered by mail
(4) At a school, hospital, or on campus
(5) Went to a town hall or county/government registration office
Filled out form at a registration drive (library, post office, or someone came to your door
Registered at polling place (on election or primary day)
Other
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S8 How long (have you/has name) lived at this address?
(1) Less than 1 month
(2) 1-6 months
(3) 7-11 months
(4) 1-2 years
(5) 3-4 years
5 years or longer
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SCK4 DO NOT READ TO RESPONDENT
Who reported for this person?
Self
Other
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PRESUP2 The next set of questions are about people’s involvement and communication within their communities.
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Q2 During a TYPICAL MONTH in the past year, when communicating with family and friends, how often were politics discussed -- basically every day, a few times a week, a few times a month, once a month, or not at all?
(1) Basically every day
(2) A few times a week
A few times a month
Once a month
Not at all
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Q3 I am going to read some ways that people get news and information. Please tell me how often you did each of the following during a TYPICAL MONTH in the past year:
(a) Read a newspaper in print or on the Internet - basically every day, a few times a week, a few times a month, once a month, or not at all?
(1) Basically every day
(2) A few times a week
A few times a month
Once a month
Not at all
INCLUDE TOGGLE TO ADJUST “INTERNET” WORDING
(b) Read news magazines such as Newsweek or Time, in print or on the Internet - basically every day, a few times a week, a few times a month, once a month, or not at all?
(1) Basically every day
(2) A few times a week
A few times a month
Once a month
Not at all
(c) Watch the news on television or get news from television internet sites - basically every day, a few times a week, a few times a month, once a month, or not at all?
(1) Basically every day
(2) A few times a week
A few times a month
Once a month
Not at all
(d) Listen to the news on radio or get news from radio internet sites - basically every day, a few times a week, a few times a month, once a month, or not at all?
(1) Basically every day
(2) A few times a week
A few times a month
Once a month
(5) Not at all
(e) Obtain news from any other Internet sources that we have not previously asked about such as blogs, chat rooms, or independent news services - basically every day, a few times a week, a few times a month, once a month, or not at all?
(1) Basically every day
(2) A few times a week
A few times a month
Once a month
(5) Not at all
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Q4 I am going to read a list of things some people have done to express their views. Please tell me whether or not you have done any of the following in the last 12 months, that is between November 2007 and now:
(a) Contacted or visited a public official - at any level of government - to express your opinion?
Yes
No
(b) Attended a meeting where political issues are discussed?
Yes
No
(c) Bought or boycotted a certain product or service because of the social or political values of the company that provides it?
Yes
No
(d) Taken part in a march, rally, protest or demonstration?
Yes
No
(e) Showed support for a particular political candidate or party by distributing campaign materials, fundraising, making a donation or in some other way?
Yes
No
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Q5 The next questions are about the groups or organizations in which people sometimes participate. I will read a list of types of groups and organizations. Please tell me whether or not you participated in any of these groups during the last 12 months, that is between November 2007 and now:
(a) A school group, neighborhood, or community association such as PTA or neighborhood watch groups?
Yes
No
(b) A service or civic organization such as American Legion or Lions Club?
Yes
No
(d) A sports or recreation organization such as a soccer club or tennis club?
Yes
No
(g) A church, synagogue, mosque or other religious institutions or organizations, NOT COUNTING your attendance at religious services?
Yes
No
(h) Any other type of organization that I have not mentioned?
Yes Go to S5s
No
Q5s What type of organization is that?
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Q6 In the last 12 months, between November 2007 and now, have you been an officer or served on a committee of any group or organization?
Yes
No
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Q7 In the last 12 months, between November 2007 and now, have you attended a meeting of any group or organization?
Yes
No
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DO NOT ASK OF 1 PERSON HOUSEHOLDS
Q8 During a TYPICAL MONTH in the past year, how often did you eat dinner with any of the other members of your household –basically every day, a few times a week, a few times a month, once a month, or not at all?
(1) Basically every day
(2) A few times a week
A few times a month
Once a month
(5) Not at all
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Q9 During a TYPICAL MONTH in the past year, how often, if at all, did you communicate with friends and family by Email or on the Internet –basically every day, a few times a week, a few times a month, once a month, or not at all?
(1) Basically every day
(2) A few times a week
A few times a month
Once a month
(5) Not at all
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Q10 During a TYPICAL MONTH in the past year, how often did you talk with any of your neighbors –basically every day, a few times a week, a few times a month, once a month, or not at all?
(1) Basically every day
(2) A few times a week
A few times a month
Once a month
(5) Not at all
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Q11 During a TYPICAL MONTH in the past year, how often did you and your neighbors do favors for each other? By favors we mean such things as watching each other’s children, helping with shopping, house sitting, lending garden or house tools, and other small acts of kindness –basically every day, a few times a week, a few times a month, once a month, or not at all?
(1) Basically every day
(2) A few times a week
A few times a month
Once a month
(5) Not at all
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Q12 NOT COUNTING family members, about how many CLOSE FRIENDS do you currently have, if any? These are people you feel at ease with, can talk to about private matters, or call on for help.
Number —>__ __
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Q19 People nowadays have a lot to keep up with and no one can keep up with everything. I have two questions about federal laws. If you don’t happen to know the answer, just tell me and we’ll move on.
(self response only)
What individual or group of individuals has the responsibility to make the final decision on whether a law is constitutional or not – is it the President of the United States, the Supreme Court, or the Congress?
(1) President of the United State
(2) Supreme Court
(3) Congress
DK
Refused
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(b) Do you know how much of a majority is required for the U.S. Senate and House to override a presidential veto? Is it 80 percent, 67 percent, 60 percent, or 51 percent?
(1) 80 percent
(2) 67 percent
(3) 60 percent
(4) 51 percent
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SCK5 *** DO NOT READ TO RESPONDENT ***
Who reported for this person?
(1) Self
(2) Other
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File Type | application/msword |
Author | Dameka Reese |
Last Modified By | marsh007 |
File Modified | 2008-05-27 |
File Created | 2008-03-21 |