Rep. Kieffer Reacts To State Fair Poll

Rep. Andrea Kieffer says she was somewhat surprised by the results of a State Fair poll that showed about 50 percent of people favor a new voter ID bill.

"I thought it was closer to 70-30" in favor of it, she said.

That was one of a few unexpected results the Woodbury Republican discussed Wednesday, a couple of days after the poll findings were released.

Still, Keiffer noted that it was an unscientific survey and there wasn't a lot of oversight in terms of who took the survey—many were teenagers who are unable to vote, and there was the possibility that some people took the poll multiple times.

"You've got to throw all that into the mix," Kieffer said.

This year, a record 12,549 people participated in the poll, which also found that nearly 70 percent said the state constitution should not be amended to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman only.

But Kieffer said she hasn't heard much from her constituents about the matter and noted that it will be resolved at the ballot box next year.

"If it fails, it fails. I'm not all that concerned about that one," she said.

The results of a query about expanding legalized gambling also surprised Kieffer (50 percent were in favor of it). She has been a proponent of more state-run gambling alternatives, especially if it's used to pay off state debt.

Overall, Kieffer said she was pleased to see so much civic engagement and appreciated speaking with voters during her time at the State Fair.

Meanwhile, there was support for a plan—proposed by Sen. Ted Lillie, who represents Woodbury in the upper chamber—to in the event lawmakers can't reach a budget agreement. Nearly 70 percent of respondents said they would support such a measure.

Here are the full results from the unscientific poll. All percentages are rounded to the nearest one-tenth. Totals are for those that actually voted on the question:

1. If the governor and legislators cannot agree on a state budget for an upcoming biennium, should the current level of funding remain in effect to prevent a state government shutdown?
Yes......................................... 69.2%........... (8,627)
No.......................................... 25.2%........... (3,137)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 5.6%................ (703)

2. Should the state constitution be amended to define marriage as only a union of one man and one woman? This question will be on the November 2012 ballot.
Yes......................................... 29.8%........... (3,743)
No.......................................... 66.5%........... (8,345)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 3.7%................ (461)

3. Should the states sales tax be expanded to include clothing purchases?
Yes......................................... 30.8%........... (3,856)
No.......................................... 62.3%........... (7,794)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 6.9%................ (862)

4. Anglers can now ice fish with two lines. Should they also be allowed to use two lines on open water during warmer months?
Yes......................................... 29.6%........... (3,696)
No.......................................... 45.8%........... (5,720)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 24.7%........... (3,083)

5. Should students be required to stay in school through age 18 or graduation, whichever comes first?
Yes......................................... 65.1%........... (8,131)
No.......................................... 26.8%........... (3,352)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 8.1%............. (1,012)

6. Local governments currently must get special legislation to impose a sales tax. Should they be permitted to impose the tax without legislative authorization?
Yes......................................... 25.5%........... (3,186)
No.......................................... 67.6%........... (8,435)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 6.9%................ (864)

7. Only the governor can call the Legislature into special session, but he or she cannot limit the agenda. Should the state constitution be changed so the Legislature can call itself into special session?
Yes......................................... 25.4%........... (3,173)
No.......................................... 64.2%........... (8,003)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 10.4%........... (1,295)

8. Should voters be required to show a current, government-issued picture ID before casting their ballot?
Yes......................................... 50.8%........... (6,361)
No.......................................... 46.4%........... (5,805)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 2.8%................ (352)

9. Should the state allow for an expansion of gambling to provide additional revenue for the state?
Yes......................................... 51.6%........... (6,455)
No.......................................... 40.1%........... (5,008)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 8.3%............. (1,035)

10. Do you support publicly funded preschool for all children?
Yes......................................... 62.5%........... (7,813)
No.......................................... 31.3%........... (3,910)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 6.2%................ (769)

11. It is currently illegal to text message while driving. Should it also be illegal to use a cellular phone, except in emergency situations?
Yes......................................... 62.3%........... (7,790)
No.......................................... 32.5%........... (4,068)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 5.2%................ (652)

12. Would you support a right-to-work law, meaning workers are not required to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment?
Yes......................................... 54.2%........... (6,770)
No.......................................... 36.8%........... (4,597)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 9.0%............. (1,121)

13. Do you know who your state representative is?
Yes......................................... 88.2%......... (11,026)
No.......................................... 10.8%........... (1,354)
Undecided/No Opinion........... 0.9%................ (116)