BCH, ACU Team Up for Taylor County Exit Polling

Students in one of instructor Jaclyn Woolf's political science classes visited eight Taylor County polling places and asked voters all the same questions. The students calculated the responses using their iPhones, iTouches, or laptops and sent that information back to the university.

For whom did you just vote in the governor’s election?
Rick Perry, Republican - 59.7 percent
Bill White, Democrat - 36.1 percent
Kathie Glass, Libertarian - 2.8 percent
Deb Shafto, Green - 1.4 percent

For whom did you just vote for U.S. House of Representatives District 19?
Randy Neugebauer, Republican - 61.1 percent
Andy Wilson, Democrat - 33.3 percent
Richard “Chip” Peterson, Libertarian - 2.8 percent
Did not vote for U.S. House - 2.8 percent
For whom did you just vote for State House of Representatives District 17?
Susan King, Republican - 62.5 percent
Fred Jones - 33.3 percent
Did not vote for state house - 2.8 percent

Did you vote a straight ticket?
Yes - 36.1 percent
No - 63.9 percent

If you voted a straight ticket, for which party did you vote?
Republican - 50 percent
Democrat - 23.6 percent
Did not vote a straight ticket - 26.4 percent

If you voted a straight ticket, did you vote for the same party that you usually support/have usually supported in the past?
Yes
No

The Tea Party movement has received a lot of attention in the news and has proved to be an influential factor in various primaries and campaigns across the country. What is your general opinion about the Tea Party movement?
Favorable - 50 percent
Neutral - 12.5 percent
Unfavorable - 18.1 percent
Undecided - 18.1 percent
Missing response - 1.4 percent

How did the Tea Party, if at all, influence your vote today?
I voted primarily for candidates and/or issues supported by the Tea Party - 37.5 percent
I vote primarily against candidates and/or issues supported by the Tea Party - 22.2 percent
I have not thought about the Tea Party movement and it did not influence my vote in any way - 33.3 percent
Missing response - 6.9 percent

What is your general party affiliation (that is, which party have you most often supported in the past)?
Republican
Democrat
Libertarian
Green
Independent
Other

In today’s election, did you vote for a candidate or candidates who are of a different party than the one you generally support/have supported most often in the past?
Yes
No

Is this your first time to vote in a federal election?
Yes
No

Which one statement best describes your voting history?
I have never/almost never voted before in any election
I have voted in only presidential elections before, and I vote in them regularly
I have voted in only presidential elections before, but I vote in them occasionally/rarely
I have voted in most/all federal elections that occur every two years
I have voted in most/all local, state, and federal elections

Which ONE statement best describes the reason you voted in today’s election?
I strongly support one or more particular candidates
I strongly support the party I voted for
I consider voting a civic duty and wished to carry out that duty
I voted because it gives me a strong sense of satisfaction for having exercised my political rights
I am unhappy with the current party/incumbents in power at the FEDERAL level and voted out of protest.
I am happy with the current party/incumbents in power at the FEDERAL level and voted to show support.
I am unhappy with the current party/incumbents in power at the STATE level and voted out of protest.
I am happy with the current party/incumbents in power at the STATE level and vote to show support.
A certain issue or issues is/are particularly important to me in this election, and I voted on these issues more than for the candidates personally.
Other reason

The polling is not scientific. However, it should provide some insight into the decisions being made by Taylor County voters.

The students were only able to survey 72 people. Tuesday's cold weather may have played a factor in the small sample size.