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Related content • Hoosiers back calls for change • Lawmakers receive tepid support in poll • Poll results • Poll methodology

The Star/WTHR (Channel 13) poll surveyed Hoosiers on a variety of issues, including their thoughts on Daylight-Saving Time and cell phone use while driving.

STATE OF INDIANA

48% say things in Indiana are on the wrong track but …

43% say they’re headed in the right direction, and 9% aren’t sure.

Half of young adults 34 and younger say Indiana is in the right direction, but only 42% of people 65 and older say so.

Partisan breakdown

57% of Republicans say “right direction” while only…

31% of Democrats and 37% of independents say so.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Thinking about government ethics, including conflicts of interest and the influence of lobbyists who used to be government employees, do you think the situation in Indiana is better, worse or about the same as in other Midwest states?

• About the same: 65%

• Worse: 13%

• Not sure: 15%

• Better: 7%

Recently, two Indiana legislators cut their ties to a gambling company that is trying to get state approval to install slot machines at racetracks.

Is it your sense that conflicts of interest such as ties to companies doing business with the state are isolated and really not a problem within the Indiana General Assembly, or do you suspect it is common for legislators to have conflicts or to act unethically?

• Conflicts, unethical acts are common: 55%

• Isolated, not really a problem: 25%

• Not sure: 20%

GAY MARRIAGE BAN

56% say they favor an Indiana constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, but 40% oppose one and 4% aren’t sure.

• Hoosier males who favor 60%

• Hoosier females who favor 53%

71% of born-again Christians and 62% of Protestants favor an amendment, while …

50% of Catholics favor a ban on gay marriage.

69% of Republicans favor the amendment and …

44% of Democrats favor the amendment.

DAYLIGHT-SAVING TIMER

Respondents asked if they favor adopting daylight-saving time:

63% of Hoosiers with college degrees favor it, but only 52% of those with high school diplomas and less education do so.

58% of Republicans favor it.

51% of Democrats favor it.

• Favor: 56%

• Oppose: 37%

• Not sure: 7%

• Hoosier men who favor: 59%

• Hoosier women who favor: 53%

DEATH PENALTY

Respondents asked if they favor repealing the death penalty:

• Favor: 34%

• Oppose: 58%

• Not sure: 8%

1% TAX ON HIGHER INCOMES

Respondents asked if they favor an income tax surcharge of 1% on tax returns with more than $100,000 in taxable income:

• Favor: 59%

• Oppose: 32%

• Not sure: 9%

• Households with yearly income less than $30,000 who favor it: 70%

• Households with income of $30,000 to $75,000 who favor it: 63%

• Households with incomes more than $75,000 a year who favor it: 45%

SMOKING BAN

Respondents were asked if they favor restricting smoking in some public places:

• Favor: 71%

• Oppose: 26%

• Not sure: 3%

80% of nonsmokers favor restrictions, while only 38% of smokers do so.

62% with high school educations or less favor restrictions.

82% with college degrees favor restrictions.

CELL PHONES WHILE DRIVING

Respondents were asked if they favor or oppose banning hand-held cell phones while driving:

• Favor: 66%

• Oppose: 31%

• Not sure: 3%

69% of women favor a ban, but only 62% of men did so.

52% of young adults 34 and younger favor a ban, compared with 74% of adults 55 and older.

TUITION VOUCHERS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Respondents were asked if they favor or oppose tuition vouchers for students who want to attend private school from elementary through high school:

• Favor: 55%

• Oppose: 38%

• Not sure: 7%

61% of Hoosier Catholics favor vouchers while 59% of born again Christians and 54% of Protestants do so.

• Respondents age 34 and younger who approve of vouchers: 66%

• People age 65 and older who approve of vouchers: 39%

• 58% of Republicans favor vouchers

• 48% of Democrats favor vouchers

METHAMPHETAMINE

Respondents were asked if they favor restricting the sale of certain cold medicines essential in the manufacture of methamphetamine:

• Favor: 67%

• Oppose: 27%

• Not sure: 6%

• 71% of Hoosiers in rural areas where the meth drug problem is most prevalent, favor restrictions while only 63% of those in the suburbs do.

• 73% of Hoosiers in southern Indiana, particularly hard hit by meth labs, favor restrictions, while only 61% in metropolitan Indianapolis do.

STATE ID REQUIRED FOR VOTING

75% say they favor requiring voters to show a state government–issued ID before being allowed to vote, but 22% are opposed and 3% aren’t sure.

• 82% of Republicans favor it.

• 67% of Democrats favor it.

Source: The Indianapolis Star/WTHR (Channel 13) telephone poll of 1,003 adults statewide, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. The poll was conducted from March 25 through March 30 by Selzer & Co. of Des Moines. The sample is drawn so that every household with a land-line telephone has an equal chance of being contacted by the poll. Results represent a cross-section of Indiana residents.

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