For immediate release:
Date: 6/13/2011
Subject: Nielson Brothers Polling Sioux Falls Survey  —  Mayor approval/Sioux Falls direction
Contact information: Â nbpolling@gmail.com, 605 496-0911, Paul Nielson
Website: nielsonbrotherspolling.com
High Approval Ratings for Mayor Huether Match Optimism About Sioux Falls Direction
Over 60 percent of Sioux Falls voters approve both of the job of Mayor Mike Huether and of the direction of Sioux Falls, according to the Sioux Falls Survey by Nielson Brothers Polling (NBP).
Looking more closely, 69 percent of respondents approve of the mayor’s job. Among those, 18 percent say they strongly approve and 51 percent somewhat approve. On the other hand, 10 percent say they strongly disapprove and 21 percent somewhat disapprove. Concerning the direction of the city, 61 percent of respondents say Sioux Falls is headed in the right direction, 18 percent say wrong direction, with 21 percent undecided.
“Our poll indicates Mayor Huether has more than maintained the public’s approval since October 2010 when 60 percent rated his job performance as excellent or good in a poll published by the Argus Leader and Kelolandâ€, said Paul Nielson, a partner in NBP. Nielson added, “Optimism about the city’s direction is high.â€
Mayor Huether receives slightly higher approval numbers from respondents under 65 years of age (71 percent), men (71 percent), and Democrats (74 percent).
Nielson Brothers Polling surveyed a random selection of Sioux Falls voters over a three day period — May 23-25. NBP polled 460 respondents for the question on the direction of Sioux Falls — margin of error of 4.6 percent — and 431 respondents for the mayoral approval rating — margin of error of 4.7 percent. Both questions have a 95 percent confidence level.
From the Sioux Falls Survey, NBP has previously released findings on the proposed Sioux Falls events center and Grand Falls Casino. Still to be released are findings on questions about teacher salaries and at-large city council members. NBP plans to continue to research and publish local opinions as a civic resource. For more information, contact nbpolling@gmail.com, or call 605 496-0911.