May 27, 2010

The Clear Language InstituteFlorida Amendment #7 – HJR 7231

• From May 20-21, 2010, Whitman Insight Strategies conducted 400 online interviews among registered voters in Florida

• Each respondent first answered a set of screening questions to confirm eligibility, followed by a series of demographic questions

• Respondents were then shown the text of HJR 7231, and asked a series of questions

2

Methodology

In establishing congressional and legislative district boundaries or plans, the state shall apply federal requirements and balance and implement the standards in the State Constitution. The state shall take into consideration the ability of racial and language minorities to participate in the political process and elect candidates of their choice, and communities of common interest other than political parties may be respected and promoted, both without subordination to any other provision of Article III of the State Constitution. Districts and plans are valid if the balancing and implementation of standards is rationally related to the standards contained in the State Constitution and is consistent with federal law.

3

Amendment Text

• 83% of Florida voters are not certain of how the amendment would affect them and their communities

• 81% of Florida voters think the amendment’s language is not clear

• 80% of Florida voters believe that the language of the amendment is confusing

• 72% of Florida voters do not fully understand the meaning of the amendment

• Six in ten Florida voters chose incorrect answer choices when asked to describe what will become law if the amendment were to pass

4

Findings

5

Voters Are Not Certain How TheAmendment Would Affect Them

• I am not certain of how the proposed amendment would affect me and my community

83%

• I am certain of how the proposed amendment would affect me and my community

17%

Which of the following BEST describes your understanding of the amendment?

6

The Language Is Not Clear

• I do not think the language of the amendment is clear81%

• I think the language of the amendment is clear19%

Which of the following BEST describes your reaction to the amendment?

7

The Language Is Confusing

• The language of the amendment is confusing80%

• The language of the amendment is not confusing20%

Which of the following BEST describes your reaction to the amendment?

8

Voters Do Not Fully Understand The Meaning Of The Amendment

• I do not fully understand the meaning of the amendment72%

• I fully understand the meaning of the amendment28%

Which of the following BEST describes your understanding of the amendment?

9

Voters Found It Difficult To Determine The Impact Of The Amendment

Answer Choice Answer Disposition % Selected

Statement A: When establishing congressional and legislative districts, the state will consider the ability of racial and language minority groups to participate in the political process and elect candidates of their choice

Correct 41%

Statement B: Congressional and legislative district boundaries can be established to promote a political party as long as no racial or language minority groups are denied an equal opportunity to participate in the political process

Incorrect 11%

Both statements will become law Incorrect 25%Neither will become law Incorrect 3%I am not sure Not Sure 21%

If the amendment passes, which of the following will become law?

60%

*Percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding

10

Voters Found It Difficult To Determine The Impact Of The Amendment

Answer Choice Answer Disposition % Selected

Statement A: The State Constitution will outline the standards for establishing congressional and legislative district boundaries; the state will implement these standards and apply necessary federal requirements

Correct 36%

Statement B: A congressional or legislative district is valid if it is consistent only with the State Constitution; applying federal requirements is not necessary if the boundaries are consistent with Article III of the State Constitution

Incorrect 9%

Both statements will become law Incorrect 19%Neither will become law Incorrect 6%I am not sure Not Sure 30%

If the amendment passes, which of the following will become law?

64%

*Percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding