Americans agree the cost of fuel has negatively affected their family, the government was spending too little on renewable fuels, and marijuana should be legalized, according to UNF’s Public Opinion Research Laboratory.

In conjunction with the university-sponsored Transformational Learning Opportunity, the laboratory conducted UNF’s first nationwide survey.

The TLO class spent the beginning of the semester interviewing students on campus about what issues are important to them.

Then, more than 400 students helped call and analyze the results of 1,089 telephone interviews between Sept. 23 and Oct. 3.

Compiled by James Cannon II.

Presidential Election

Who would you vote for if the election were today?

45 percent said they would cast their ballot for Sen. Barack Obama.
37.9 percent said they would cast their ballot for Sen. John McCain.
3.7 percent said they would vote other.
13.5 percent remain undecided.

How confident are you that Joe Biden or Sarah Palin are qualified to be the president if he or she had to step into that role?

69.6 percent of Obama supporters are very confident in Joe Biden.
63.5 percent of McCain supporters are very confident in Sarah Palin.

The Economy

In the past six months, the rising cost of fuel has been a problem for you and your family. Agree or disagree?

66 percent strongly agreed the rising cost of fuel has negatively affected their family.

Individuals who make more money should pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes. Agree or
disagree?

62.4 percent – nearly two-thirds of respondents – agree.

The Environment

Is the government spending too much, too little or the right amount on alternative and renewable
energies?

75 percent, approximately, said they believe the government was spending too little on renewable fuels.

Social Issues

When considering lowering the drinking age, do you have a favorable view or a negative view?

50 percent of the respondents between the ages of 18-24 favorably viewed lowering the drinking age.

Do you support legalizing marijuana for non-medical purposes?

51.4 percent of respondents between the ages of 18-24 supported legalizing marijuana for non-medical purposes.
22.7 percent of those who oppose lowering the drinking age support the legalization of marijuana for non-medicinal purposes.

Margin of error for the survey was +/- 3 percent.