November 2011

Events Center polling – all over the map

l3wis November 2, 2011 17Comments

This lastest Poll makes you wonder where we are at?

Sioux Falls Voters Split on the Proposed Events Center, with One in Seven Undecided

A Sioux Falls Survey by Nielson Brothers Polling (NBP) shows 42% of likely Sioux Falls voters favor the construction of the new events center, while 41% oppose it. 17% remain undecided. The tight race and remaining undecideds suggest that the final week of campaigning and get-out-the-vote efforts may decide the outcome.

The proposed center is favored by marginally more men than women, but 22% of women are undecided versus 12% of men. Age and income have a larger impact on voters’ opinions with regard to the events center. Voters under 30 years of age show strongest support (51% voting “yes”). Support drops to 38% among respondents aged 30 to 45, then rises to 46% among those aged 46 to 64. The proposal draws least support (35% voting “yes”) among voters 65 years and older. Households with incomes $50,000 or above show significantly more support (48% voting “yes”) than those below $50,000 (34% voting “yes”).

“Votes for and against the proposed events center are in a statistical dead heat.” says Paul Nielson, a partner in NBP. “The number of undecideds indicates room for movement and persuasion heading into the final days before the decision.”

NBP also asked voters which site they originally preferred. 23% said downtown, 38% said the arena, and 10% said another site altogether. 20% said they opposed any site. Among those who originally favored the downtown site, 51% say they will vote “yes,” and 38% will vote “no”. Of those who originally supported the arena site, 60% say they will vote “yes,” but 24% remain uncommitted. Among voters who originally favored another site altogether, 39% say they will vote “yes,” and 45% will vote “no.” Among those who originally opposed any site, 95% say they will vote against the proposal.

Nielson Brothers Polling contacted a random sample of likely Sioux Falls municipal voters, between October 26 and 27, 2011. The question on the proposed events center drew 526 responses with a margin of error of 4.27% at a 95% confidence level. NBP plans to release more findings from their Sioux Falls survey including questions on Grand Falls Casino attendance, the direction of Sioux Falls, and mayoral job approval ratings. Nielson Brothers Polling 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.