Poll: Likely voters support education initiatives

Monday, Oct. 4, 2004 | 2:50 a.m.

Two Nevada education initiatives that will appear on the Nov. 2 general election ballot are receiving overwhelming support from very likely voters.

The statewide Las Vegas Sun/KLAS TV Channel 8/KNPR Nevada Public Radio poll found that likely voters, by a margin of 66 percent to 26 percent, favor ballot Question 1.

Known as the Education First initiative, Question 1 would require the Nevada Legislature to pass the education budget for kindergarten through grade 12 public schools before approving any other part of the state budget.

The poll also found that likely voters, by a 71-24 margin, support Question 2, which would require Nevada's education spending per student to at least equal the national average by 2012. Both questions are proposed constitutional amendments that would also have to be approved in the November 2006 general election to become law.

The poll of 600 likely voters was conducted Sept. 20 through Sept. 28 by Washington-based polling firm Belden Russonello & Stewart. The poll has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.

Both ballot questions drew broad and substantial demographic support based on gender, age, political party affiliation, ideology and locale. No demographic groups that were polled oppose the two questions.

"These are high numbers," Kate Stewart, a partner in the polling firm, said. "There doesn't seem to be any strong opposition to these two questions. Both of them have broad support, and that doesn't surprise me because they're both on education issues, which are priorities for voters."

Question 1, co-authored by Assemblywoman Dawn Gibbons, R-Reno, and U.S. Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., grew from a controversy over the way the Legislature handled the state budget during last year's fierce tax debate. Initiative backers have said they don't want the education budget to be held "hostage" by lawmakers in the future.

The poll revealed that the strongest support for this initiative is among women (69 percent to 22 percent), voters aged 18 to 39 (77-17), voters who identify themselves as Democrats (71-23) and Clark County residents (71-23).

Likely voters who identified themselves as Republicans also favor Question 1 (65-28), as do conservatives (63-28).

"That's pretty strong," Jim Denton, campaign coordinator for Education First, said. "It says without a doubt that education is a major issue for people of this state. They want the Legislature to fund education first and make it a priority.

"I'm very pleased for the children of our state."

Question 2, which is being supported by teachers, represents an attempt to increase the amount of money state lawmakers have earmarked for public education. Nevada typically ranks among the bottom 10 states in funding per pupil.

The poll found that the strongest support for Question 2 mirrors that for Question 1. Among the strongest backers of Question 2 are women (75 percent to 18 percent), likely voters aged 18 to 39 (80-15), Democrats (80-17) and Clark County residents (74-22).

Likely voters who identified themselves as Republicans also favor Question 2, as do conservatives, both by margins of 65 percent to 29 percent.

"I don't think it should be surprising to anybody that Nevadans are supportive of funding education at the national level," Dan Hart, Question 2 campaign manager, said. "Candidates talk about education. Now they'll have to do something about it."