Mecklenburg Polling

This month we did a special edition of our DecisionMaker poll focusing on Mecklenburg County.  With a repeal of the half-cent transit tax, a $516 million school construction bond and a high-profile mayor's race all on the ballot, we though it would provide some interesting results.

Without further ado, the highlights:

1. Which of the following issues needs the most attention from Charlotte and Mecklenburg County:
            Construction of new schools - 27%
            New and improved highways - 22%
            Light rail system - 12%
            Crime and public safety - 36%

2. Do you think taxes in Mecklenburg County are:
            Much too high - 39%
            Somewhat too high - 31%
            Just about right - 25%
            Somewhat too low - 2%
            Much too low - 1%

3. If the $516 million bond referendum for building new public school facilities were held today, would you be voting for or against this referendum?
            For - 58%
            Against - 29%
            Not Sure - 13%

4. When you think about the new light rail system, how often will you use it:
            More than once a week - 5%
            Weekly - 3%
            Couple of times a month - 6%
            Monthly - 3%
            Occasionally - 22%
            Not at all - 59%

5. In 1999, voters in Mecklenburg County approved a 1/2 cent sales tax increase to support a light rail system and mass transit.  Will you vote to repeal the 1/2 cent mass transit tax?
           Yes - 39%
           No - 54%
           Not Sure - 7%

6. Would you support a real estate transfer tax in Mecklenburg County?
            Yes - 16%
            No - 66%
            Not sure - 18%

7.  Would you be more or less like to vote for a county commissioner who voted to put new taxes on the ballot?
            More - 9%
            Less - 70%
            No difference - 8%
            Not Sure - 13%

Interesting results.  The anti-tax sentiment in Mecklenburg County is fairly high, with a combined 70% of voters thinking that taxes are already somewhat or much too high.  Yet, a majority say they will vote against repealing the transit tax.  It would seem that the message saying that if the transit tax is repealed that property taxes will go up is working and resonating with voters.

As for the Mayor's race, one statistic should tell you everything you need to know to see how it is going to turn out:
Opinion of Beverly Earle:
            Favorable - 17%
            Unfavorable - 13%
            No opinion - 38%
            Not aware - 32%
Yikes.

Again, these are just the highlights, full results should be on the web on Monday.