UNF Poll Shows Declining Approval for President but Growing Approval for Governor

Media Contact: Joanna Norris, Associate Director 

 Department of Public Relations 

(904) 620-2192 

A new University of North Florida poll reveals that President Obama’s approval ratings have dropped since March 2012, from a 47 percent approval rating down to a 43 percent approval rating. Contrary to this, Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s approval ratings have improved since last March, with a 6 percent increase to a 51 percent approval rating. 

Reducing crime was third on the list of priorities for the adult Duval County residents that were polled, with 13 percent of the respondents believing that it was a top priority, after improving the economy/creating jobs and improving the quality of public education. In conjunction with these findings, 52 percent of Jacksonville residents were either somewhat or very fearful of becoming victims of crime compared to 49 percent in March of 2012. Regardless of this finding, the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office still received a very high approval rating of 71 percent, similar to the 72 percent approval JSO received last March. Despite a majority of respondents replying that they were fearful of becoming a victim of crime, the polls reveal that only 40 percent of the respondents, or people in their household, owned a gun, in contrast with the 52 percent who didn’t own a gun. Six percent of the respondents either didn’t know or declined to answer.

 The survey was conducted through the use of a 27-station telephone-polling laboratory at UNF. A polling sample was selected through the use of Random-Digit-Dialing methodology. A cell phone sample and an overlay sample were used to increase representation. Age, gender, race and party registration were weighted to the 2010 U.S. Census, as well as to statistics from the Supervisor of Elections for Duval County registered voters. 

The survey was conducted between Monday, Feb. 4, and Tuesday, Feb. 12, and includes 917 residents (+/- 3.23 percent) in Duval County. Approximately 210 UNF political science students participated in the data collection. 

Below are the full results. For further information or questions about methodology, contact Dr. Michael Binder, UNF assistant professor of political science, at (904) 620-1205 or m.binder@unf.edu. 

UNF, a nationally ranked university located on an environmentally beautiful campus, offers students who are dedicated to enriching the lives of others the opportunity to build their own futures through a well-rounded education. 

*Data is weighted by age, gender, race, and party identification. 

In your opinion, what should be Jacksonville’s top priority this year? 

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? 

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Rick Scott is handling his job as Governor of Florida? 

Do you approve or disapprove of the way the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is handling its job?  

In general, how fearful are you of becoming a victim of crime? 

Do you or does anybody in your household own a gun? 

Demographics Questions: 

What is your age? Is it: 

What is your racial or ethnic background?  Is it: 

Are you a registered Democrat, Republican, No Party Affiliation or are you not registered to vote? 

What is the highest grade in school or year of college you have completed? 

What is your annual household income?  

Are we reaching you on a landline or a cell phone? 

Do you only have a landline, only have a cell phone, or do you have both a landline and a cell phone? 

What area of town do you live in? 

Respondent gender