November Election Poll: Ballot Measures | Video

KFYR-TV | 10/10/2012

North Dakotans are usually pretty protective of personal rights, but the latest North Dakota NBC News poll indicates that the state`s residents are not pleased with second hand smoke.

North Dakota voters will be deciding a measure that severely limits the places a person can smoke. The measure would prohibit smoking, including the use of electronic smoking devices, in public places and most places of employment in the state, including certain outdoor areas. The measure has the approval of the a large majority of 625 people polled last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The yes vote overwhelms the no vote by a healthy 62 to 35 margin. Three per cent of the people were still undecided on the measure.

The support for smoking curtailment crosses all demographics. All parts of the state, men and women and people of all political persuasions give the measure a resounding yes vote.

The other measure we tracked was on the one dealing with animal cruelty. It would make it a Class C felony for any individual to maliciously and intentionally harm a living, dog, cat or horse. The measure would not apply to production agriculture, the lawful activities of hunters and trappers, licensed veterinarians, scientific researchers or to individuals engaged in lawful defense of law or property.

The yes votes far outpoll the no votes, 66 per cent of the people questioned said they would vote yes for the measure while 27 per cent said no. Women overwhelmingly favored the measure with the yes votes out in front 72 per cent to 19 percent. And from a political affiliation standpoint …. Democrats were very strong in their support - giving the yes votes an 81 to 13 per cent margin.

One correction from yesterday, when we looked at the Superintendent of Public Instruction numbers, we mistakenly said that Tracy Potter was the Democratic endorsed candidate.

That was in error. Potter did not seek an endorsement -- he said he didn`t feel it was appropriate to get a party endorsement for a no-party office.

This concludes this chapter of the NBC North Dakota News/Mason-Dixon poll. We will be back in November with another look at the numbers right before the election.

COMMENT ON THIS STORY

BACK TO NEWS | BACK TO BISMARCK STORIES