MISSISSIPPI POLL--CUMULATIVE FILE CODEBOOK
This Cumulative File contains only questions that were asked in more than one year. Those researching questions asked only once should rely on the codebook and datafile for the year that that question was asked.
All codebooks and SPSS system files (containing the data) are available on the sociology and political science file servers under the following file names.
Cumulative File Cdbook = MPOLCODE; DATA = MPOLDAT.
1981: Codebook = MSPOLL81; DATA = MPOL81R.
1982: Codebook = MSPOLL82; DATA = MPOL82R.
1984: Codebook = MSPOLL84; DATA = MSPOLL84.SYS
1986: Codebook = MSPOLL86; DATA = MPOL86S.
1988 (April): Codebook = MPOLL88A; DATA = MPOL88S.
1988 (Sept.): Codebook = MPOLL88S; DATA = MPS88S.
1990: Codebook = MSPOLL90; DATA = MPOL90S.
1992: Codebook = MSPOLL92; DATA = MPOL92S.
1994: Codebook = MSPOLL94; DATA = MPOL94R.
1996: Codebook = MSPOLL96; DATA = MPOL96R.
1998: Codebook = MPOLL98; DATA = MPOL98.SAV
1999: Codebook = MPOLL99; DATA = MSPOLL99.SAV
2000: Codebook = MSPOLL2000; DATA = MSPOLL00.SAV
2002: Codebook = MSPOLL.2002; DATA = MSPOLL02.SAV
2004: Codebook = mspoll2004; DATA = mspoll04.sav
2006: Codebook = mspoll2006; DATA = mspoll06.sav
2008: Codebook = mspoll2008; DATA = mspoll08.sav
2010: Codebook = 2010mspollquestionnaire.htm; DATA = mspoll10.sav
2012: Codebook = 2012MSPollQuestionnaire.htm; DATA = mspoll12.sav
2014: Codebook = website: http://sds17.pspa.msstate.edu/poll/2014MissPoll.html; DATA = on Shaffer's I drive, MississippiPoll directory, file name is mspoll14.sav
Continuity Guide = MPOLCONT;
WARNING--All analyses must be weighted by the weight variable-- WEIGHT. The Weight variable has different names in the files listed above, but in the Cumulative File they have been combined into one Weight variable with the name of WEIGHT.
NOTE: For comparability with the Continuity Guide to the Mississippi Poll, the question numbers in this Cumulative File Codebook are identical to those in the Continuity Guide. The differing variable names for the same question in different years in the Continuity Guide have been combined into one identical Variable Name in this Codebook. The Cumulative File Variable Name is listed in brackets next to the Variable Title and Question Number-- the first line of each question. Unlike the Continuity Guide, this Cumulative File Codebook has the exact question wordings of each question in each year (where wording changes occur).
SOURCE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Studies based on these Mississippi Poll data should acknowledge that the surveys were "conducted by the Survey Research Unit of the Social Science Research Center at Mississippi State University," and should cite the methodology used and dates of the survey as specified in the codebooks. All surveys were conducted by political science students under the direction of Political Scientist Stephen D. Shaffer, Coordinator of the Mississippi Poll. The Mississippi Poll is supported by Dr. John Edwards, Director of the SSRC's Survey Research Program, and Dr. Arthur G. Cosby, Director of the SSRC.
CONTENTS OF THE CUMULATIVE FILE CODEBOOK
SECTION SUBJECT PAGE QUESTION
NUMBER NUMBER
0 YEAR OF STUDY (and Weight, Respondent Id) 3 0
A SOCIAL INDICATORS (life quality, life satisfaction,
financial satisfaction, gender roles, happiness, trust in 3 1
people, residential mobility, religiosity, race relations)
B POLITICAL INDICATORS (trust government, rate
officials' job performance, political knowledge, 5 16
interest, voter turnout, media use)
C PUBLIC POLICY-- STATE SPENDING LEVELS
(Numerous programs, such as education, welfare, 8 38
health, child care, police, highways, economic dev.)
D PUBLIC POLICY-- NATIONAL ISSUES
(Numerous domestic economic, race, women, civil 10 50
liberal, foreign policy, and government reform
issues, including labor unions, term limits, etc.)
E PARTY AND IDEOLOGY
(Party identification, party image, liberal-conservative 15 88
ideology, perception of officials' ideology)
F DEMOGRAPHICS
(Education, income, sex, age, race, residency, 20 106
religion, etc.)
G ELECTIONS
(Presidential, Senate, U.S. House, governor, 27 132
reasons for votes)
H PUBLIC POLICY-- STATE ISSUES 29 151
(Taxes versus services, education, gov reform,
race, environmentalism, farming, racial profiling, etc)
I BEHAVIOR 31 198
(Domestic abuse, crime victimization, alcohol
usage, gun ownership, household technology,
traffic behavior, health issues, television, etc.)
0. IDENTIFICATION VARIABLES
0.1. YEAR OF SURVEY [YEAR]
CODED AS YEAR (4 digits)
1988) APRIL 1988
1989) SEPTEMBER 1988
0.2. RESPONDENT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER [RESPID]
CODES ARE NOT UNIQUE; COMBINE WITH YEAR OF SURVEY FOR UNIQUENESS
0.3. WEIGHT [WEIGHT]
USE THIS WEIGHT VARIABLE FOR ALL ANALYSES
A. SOCIAL INDICATORS
1. GENDER DISCRIMINATION- [WOMHOME]
(Asked in 1984, 1986, Apr 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
(Note: wording differs in 1992, 2000, 2002)
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement: Women should take care of running their homes, and leave running the country up to men?
(In 1992, 2000, and 2002: For each of these statements, tell me whether you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree. Women should have an equal role with men in running business, industry, and government. Responses were reverse coded in these two years, as the two agree categories would disagree with the sexist statement usually asked, and the two disagree categories would agree with the sexist statement.)
1) AGREE
2) DISAGREE
3) DON'T KNOW (DK)
4) REFUSED (REF)
.) MISSING DATA
2. HAPPINESS- [HAPPY]
(Asked in 1984, 1986, Apr 1988, 1990, 1992, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012)
Taken all together, how would you say things are these days-- Would you say that you are very happy, pretty happy, or not too happy?
1) VERY HAPPY
2) PRETTY HAPPY
3) NOT TOO HAPPY
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
3. TRUST IN PEOPLE- [TRUSTPEO]
(Asked in 1984, 1986, Apr 1988, 1990, 1992, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012)
Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted, or that you can't be too careful in dealing with people
1) TRUST MOST PEOPLE
2) CAN'T BE TOO CAREFUL
3) DON'T KNOW
4) REFUSED
5) OTHER/DEPENDS
4. QUALITY OF LIFE IN STATE [QUALLIFE]
(Asked in 1981, 1986, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Overall, how would you rate Mississippi as a place to live-- excellent, good, fair, or poor?
1) EXCELLENT
2) GOOD
3) FAIR
4) POOR
5) DON'T KNOW
6) REFUSED
6. COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL STABILITY [LIVECOMM]
(Asked in Apr 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
How likely do you think it will be that you will be living in your community five years from now? Definitely no, probably no, probably yes, or definitely yes?
(Note: In April 1988 survey, the categories are dichotomized)
1) DEFINITELY NO
2) PROBABLY NO (includes Definitely No in 1988)
3) PROBABLY YES (includes Definitely Yes in 1988)
4) DEFINITELY YES
5) DON'T KNOW
6) REFUSED
. ) MISSING DATA
10. FINANCIAL SATISFACTION [FINANCES]
(Asked in 1984, 1986, Apr 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
We are interested in how people are getting along financially these days. So far as you and your family are concerned, would you say that you are pretty well satisfied with your present financial situation, more or less satisfied, or not satisfied at all
1) PRETTY WELL SATISFIED
2) MORE OR LESS SATISFIED
3) NOT SATISFIED AT ALL
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
11. RELIGIOSITY [RELIGFRE]
(Asked in 1984, Apr 1988, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
About how often do you attend church: every week, almost every week, once or twice a month, a few times a year, or never?
1) EVERY WEEK
2) ALMOST EVERY WEEK
3) ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH
4) A FEW TIMES A YEAR
5) NEVER
6) REFUSES/DON'T KNOW
. ) MISSING DATA
B. POLITICAL INDICATORS
16. TRUST IN STATE OFFICIALS [TRUSTOFF]
(Asked in 1981, Sept 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
How much of the time do you think you can trust public officials in Mississippi to do what is right-- almost always, most of the time, only some of the time, or rarely?
1) ALMOST ALWAYS
2) MOST OF THE TIME
3) SOME OF THE TIME
4) RARELY
5) DON'T KNOW
6) REFUSED
.) NOT ASKED
19. PRESIDENTIAL JOB RATING [RATEPRES]
(Asked in every year)
I'm going to ask you to rate the job performance of a few political figures and institutions. Rate each of them as excellent, good, fair, or poor. What about President . . .?
1) EXCELLENT
2) GOOD
3) FAIR
4) POOR
5) DON'T KNOW
6) REFUSES
. ) NOT ASKED/MISSING DATA
20. GOVERNOR'S JOB RATING [RATEGOV]
(Asked in every year)
(Governors were: 1981-82 Winter; 1984-86 Allain; 1988-90 Mabus; 1992-98 Fordice; 2000-2002 is Musgrove; 2004-2010 is Barbour; 2012-2014 is Bryant)
I'm going to ask you to rate the job performance of a few political figures and institutions. Rate each of them as excellent, good, fair, or poor. What about Governor . . .?
1) EXCELLENT
2) GOOD
3) FAIR
4) POOR
5) DON'T KNOW
6) REFUSES
. ) NOT ASKED/MISSING DATA
21. STATE LEGISLATURE JOB RATING [RATELEG]
(Asked in every year)
I'm going to ask you to rate the job performance of a few political figures and institutions. Rate each of them as excellent, good, fair, or poor. What about the Mississippi state legislature?
1) EXCELLENT
2) GOOD
3) FAIR
4) POOR
5) DON'T KNOW
6) REFUSES
.) NOT ASKED
24A. U.S. SENATOR COCHRAN'S JOB RATING [RATECOCH]
(Asked in 1981, 1984, 1990, 1996, 2014)
I'm going to ask you to rate the job performance of a few political figures and institutions. Rate each of them as excellent, good, fair, or poor. What about Senator Cochran?
1) EXCELLENT
2) GOOD
3) FAIR
4) POOR
5) DON'T KNOW
6) REFUSES/MISSING DATA
24B. U.S. SENATOR LOTT'S JOB RATING [RATELOTT]
(Asked in 1990, 1992, 1994, 2000)
I'm going to ask you to rate the job performance of a few political figures and institutions. Rate each of them as excellent, good, fair, or poor. What about Senator Lott?
1) EXCELLENT
2) GOOD
3) FAIR
4) POOR
5) DON'T KNOW
6) REFUSES
24C. STATE OFFICIAL'S JOB RATING [RATEST]
(Asked in 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
I'm going to ask you to rate the job performance of a few political figures and institutions. Rate each of them as excellent, good, fair, or poor. What about Lieutenant Governor/Attorney General (first and last name) (1994- Briggs; 1996- Attorney General Moore; 1998- Musgrove; 2000-2006 is Tuck; 2008-2010 is Bryant; 2012-2014 is Attorney General Hood.)
1) EXCELLENT
2) GOOD
3) FAIR
4) POOR
5) DON'T KNOW
6) REFUSES
28. RECALL NAME OF U.S. HOUSE MEMBER [KNOWCONG]
(Asked in 1981, Apr-Sept 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
What is the name of the United States Representative who represents your Congressional district in Washington?
1) INCORRECT POLITICAL NAME OR DON'T KNOW
2) MISSING DATA
3) CORRECT NAME
29. CAMPAIGN INTEREST [INTEREST]
(Asked in 1982, 1984, Apr-Sept 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
How interested are you in the coming elections for President and Congress --very interested, somewhat, a little, or not at all interested?
(Note: In midterm years, "President" is omitted. In 1988 surveys, "U.S. Senator" replaces "Congress"; in 1984, "Congress" is omitted; in 1982, wording is "How interested have you been in following the political campaign")
1) NOT AT ALL INTERESTED/ DON'T KNOW/ REFUSED
2) A LITTLE
3) SOMEWHAT
4) VERY INTERESTED
. ) NOT ASKED/MISSING DATA
30. STATE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS INTEREST [INTERGOV]
(Asked in 1981, 1986)
How interested are you in Mississippi government and Mississippi politics-- very interested, somewhat, a little, or not at all interested?
1) VERY INTERESTED
2) SOMEWHAT INTERESTED
3) A LITTLE
4) NOT AT ALL INTERESTED
9) DO NOT KNOW
31. VOTE TURNOUT LIKELY [WILLVOTE]
(Asked in 1982, 1984, Apr-Sept 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
How certain are you to vote in the elections this November? Would you say that you definitely will vote, probably will, probably will not, or definitely will not vote? (1990 survey precedes "elections" with "Congressional"; 1984 and 1988 surveys precede it with "presidential and senate")(1982 introduction makes non-voting socially acceptable)
1) DEFINITELY WILL NOT VOTE/ DON'T KNOW/ REFUSED
2) PROBABLY WILL NOT VOTE
3) PROBABLY WILL VOTE
4) DEFINITELY WILL VOTE
C. PUBLIC POLICY-- STATE SPENDING PRIORITIES
(Questions in Section C use the following introduction:) Now I'm going to ask you about some issues facing state and local government in Mississippi. As you know, most of the money government spends comes from the taxes you and others pay. For each of the following, please tell me whether you think state and local government in Mississippi should be spending more, less, or about the same as now. How about. . .?
38. ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS [SENVIR]
(Asked in 1981, 1984, Apr 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
(2002 survey asked about federal, not state, spending on "protecting the environment"; categories used are increased, decreased, kept about the same)
1) MORE
2) LESS
3) SAME
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED/MISSING DATA
39. PROGRAMS FOR THE POOR [SPOOR]
(Asked in 1981, 1984, Apr 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
(2002 survey asked about federal, not state, spending on "welfare programs"; categories used are increased, decreased, kept about the same)
1) MORE
2) LESS
3) SAME
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
40. PUBLIC GRADE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS [SSCHOOL]
(Asked in 1981, 1984, Apr 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
(2002 survey asked about federal, not state, spending on "public schools"; categories used are increased, decreased, kept about the same)
1) MORE
2) LESS
3) SAME
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
41. STREETS AND HIGHWAYS [SROADS]
(Asked in 1981, 1984, Apr 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
1) MORE
2) LESS
3) SAME
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
42. POLICE FORCES [SPOLICE]
(Asked in 1981, 1984, Apr 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
(2002 survey asked about federal, not state, spending on "dealing with crime"; categories used are increased, decreased, kept about the same)
1) MORE
2) LESS
3) SAME
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
43. PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES [SUNIVER]
(Asked in 1981, 1984, Apr 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
1) MORE
2) LESS
3) SAME
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
44. HEALTH CARE AND HOSPITALS [SHEALTH]
(Asked in 1981, 1984, Apr 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
(2002 survey asked about federal, not state, spending on "health care"; categories used are increased, decreased, kept about the same)
1) MORE
2) LESS
3) SAME
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
45. INDUSTRIAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT [SINDUST]
(Asked in 1981, 1984, Apr 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
1) MORE
2) LESS
3) SAME
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
46. ENCOURAGING TOURISM [STOURISM]
(Asked in 1981, 1984, Apr 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
1) MORE
2) LESS
3) SAME
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
47. CHILD DAY CARE FACILITIES [SCHILDC]
(Asked in Apr 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
1) MORE
2) LESS
3) SAME
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
48-49. JAIL AND PRISON FACILITIES [SPRISON]
(Asked in 1981, Apr 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996)
(Note: ambiguous meaning to respondents; 1996 introduced new wording: "Building more prisons")
1) MORE
2) LESS
3) SAME
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
.
D. PUBLIC POLICY-- NATIONAL ISSUES
50. LABOR UNIONS [LABORU]
(Asked in 1981, 1984, 1986, Apr 1988, 1990, 1992)
Do you approve or disapprove of labor unions?
1) APPROVE
2) DISAPPROVE
3) BOTH/MIXED FEELINGS
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
. ) MISSING DATA
51. GOVERNMENT UNIONS [PEUNION]
(Asked in 1981, 1984)
Should public employees be permitted to join labor unions?
1) YES
2) NO
3) BOTH; MIXED
9) DO NOT KNOW
52. GOVERNMENT STRIKES [PESTRIKE]
(Asked in 1981, 1984)
Should public employees be permitted to strike?
1) YES
2) NO
3) BOTH; MIXED
9) DO NOT KNOW
53. JOBS AND LIVING STANDARD [JOBS]
(Asked in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Do you strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement. The government in Washington should see to it that every person has a job and a good standard of living.
1) STRONGLY AGREE
2) AGREE
3) DISAGREE
4) STRONGLY DISAGREE
5) DON'T KNOW
6) REFUSED
54. PUBLIC WORKS [PUBWORKS]
(Asked in 1986, Apr 1988)
Do you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose the proposed policy. A public works program to reduce unemployment even if it means an increase in inflation. (Note: 1986 has dichotomous categories)
1) STRONGLY FAVOR
2) FAVOR (Favor in 1986)
3) UNDECIDED-DON'T KNOW
4) OPPOSE (Oppose in 1986)
5) STRONGLY OPPOSE
0) MISSING DATA
55. HEALTH CARE -- GENERAL [DOCTORS]
(Asked in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Do you strong agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement?
The government ought to help people get doctors and hospital care at low cost.
1) STRONGLY AGREE
2) AGREE
3) DISAGREE
4) STRONGLY DISAGREE
5) DON'T KNOW
6) REFUSED
56. HEALTH CARE-- SPECIFIC PLAN [HEALTHPL]
(Asked in 1986, Apr 1988, 2002)
Do you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose the proposed policy. A government sponsored national health insurance program. (Note: 1986 has dichotomous categories) (2002 asks whether one strongly agrees, agrees, disagrees, or strongly disagrees with statement that "we need more federal government regulation of managed health care.)
1) STRONGLY FAVOR
2) FAVOR (Favor in 1986)
3) UNDECIDED-DON'T KNOW
4) OPPOSE (Oppose in 1986)
5) STRONGLY OPPOSE
6) REFUSED
0) MISSING DATA
58. FEWER DOMESTIC SERVICES [FEWSERV]
(Asked in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012)
Do you strong agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement? The government in Washington should provide fewer services, even in areas such as health and education, in order to reduce government spending.
1) STRONGLY AGREE
2) AGREE
3) DISAGREE
4) STRONGLY DISAGREE
5) DON'T KNOW
6) REFUSED
62. BLACK SOCIOECONOMIC IMPROVEMENT [BLHELP]
(Asked in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Do you strong agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement?
The government in Washington should make every effort to improve the social and economic position of blacks and other minority groups.
1) STRONGLY AGREE
2) AGREE
3) DISAGREE
4) STRONGLY DISAGREE
5) DON'T KNOW
6) REFUSED
63. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION [AFFACT]
(Asked in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Do you strong agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement?
Because of past discrimination blacks should be given preference in hiring and promotion.
1) STRONGLY AGREE
2) AGREE
3) DISAGREE
4) STRONGLY DISAGREE
5) DON'T KNOW
6) REFUSED
65. SCHOOL INTEGRATION [INTEGSCH]
(Asked in 1981, Apr 1988)
Do you think that white students and black students should go to the same schools, or to separate schools?
1) SAME
2) SEPARATE
3) OTHER/MIXED RESPONSE
4) DON'T KNOW
.) MISSING DATA
67. NEIGHBORHOOD INTEGRATION [INTEGNEI]
(Asked in 1981, Apr 1988)
Do you agree or disagree with the statement that whites have a right to keep blacks from moving into their neighborhoods if they want to, and that blacks should respect that right?
(Note: 1981, only whites asked)
1) AGREE (Segregationist response)
2) DISAGREE (Integrationist response)
3) OTHER/DEPENDS
4) DON'T KNOW
.) MISSING DATA
69. ABORTION OUTLAW [ABORTION]
(Asked in 1981, Apr 1988, 1990, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Do you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose the proposed policy. A constitutional amendment to prohibit abortions except when the mother's life is endangered. (Note: 1981 asks about "a constitutional amendment stopping all abortions except those needed to protect the health of the mother"; 1990 asks "Do you favor or oppose outlawing all abortions that are not needed to save the life of the mother?" and has dichotomous codes. 1998 asks whether strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with statement, "Abortion should be legal for women who are married and who don't want any more children;" 2000, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014 gives same categories as in 1998, but asks, "By law, a woman should be able to have an abortion as a matter of personal choice." Given opposite wording to variable title in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014 codes are reversed to range from 5 for strongly agree with these statements to 1 for strongly disagree)
1) STRONGLY FAVOR outlawing abortion
2) FAVOR outlawing abortion (Favor in 1990 included here)
3) UNDECIDED-DON'T KNOW
4) OPPOSE outlawing abortion (Oppose in 1990 included here)
5) STRONGLY OPPOSE outlawing abortion
6) REFUSED
76. DEATH PENALTY-- MURDER [DEATHMUR]
(Asked in 1986, 1996, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
For someone who is convicted or murder, do you GENERALLY favor the death penalty, life in prison without parole, or a jail term that is shorter than for the rest of someone's life? (Note: 1986 asks "Are you in favor of the death penalty for persons convicted of murder?"; 2002 asked agree-disagree with death penalty for those convicted of murder)
1) DEATH PENALTY (Yes responses in 1986, agree in 2002 included here)
2) LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE (No responses in 1986, disagree in 2002 included here)
3) JAIL TERM SHORTER THAN LIFE
4) NO OPINION/DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
77. DEATH PENALTY -- DRUG PUSHERS [DEATHDRU]
(Asked in 1990, 1996)
For a drug pusher convicted of causing the death of another person, do you GENERALLY favor the death penalty, life in prison without parole, or a jail term that is shorter than for the rest of someone's life? (Note: 1990 asks "Do you favor or oppose the death penalty for drug pushers convicted of causing the death of another person?")
1) DEATH PENALTY (Favor responses in 1990 included here)
2) LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE (Oppose responses in 1990 included here)
3) JAIL TERM SHORTER THAN LIFE
4) NO OPINION
5) REFUSED
82. GAY MARRIAGE [GAYMARRIAGE]
(Asked in 2010, 2012, 2014)
Which of these three options do you favor for gay couples: They should be allowed to get legally married; they should be allowed legally to form civil unions but not to marry; or they should not be allowed to obtain any legal recognition of their relationships.
1) LEGAL MARRIAGE
2) CIVIL UNIONS Civic unions
3) NO LEGAL RECOGNITION
4) DON'T KNOW/NOT SURE
5) REFUSED
85. ISOLATIONISM [ISOLATE]
(Asked in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Do you strong agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement?
This country should pay more attention to problems at home and less attention to problems in other parts of the world.
1) STRONGLY AGREE
2) AGREE
3) DISAGREE
4) STRONGLY DISAGREE
5) DON'T KNOW
6) REFUSED
86A. DEFENSE SPENDING [DEFENSESP]
(Asked in 2002, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Should National Defense spending be increased, decreased, or kept about the same?
1) INCREASED
2) DECREASED
3) KEPT THE SAME
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
86B. IMMIGRATION NUMBERS [IMMIGRATION]
(Asked in 1999, 2008)
Do you think the immigrant population in the U.S. is too small, about right, or too large?
1) TOO SMALL
2) ABOUT RIGHT
3) TOO LARGE
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
87. TERM LIMITS [TRMLIMIT]
(Asked in 1992, 1994, 1996)
Do you favor or oppose limiting the terms of state legislators to two 4-year terms, even if it means that voters cannot reelect someone who is doing a good job? (1992, 1994 includes "and other state officials"; 1992 omits "even if it means that voters cannot reelect someone who is doing a good job")
1) FAVOR TERM LIMITS
2) OPPOSE TERM LIMITS
3) DON'T KNOW
4) REFUSED
E. PARTY AND IDEOLOGY
88. PARTY IDENTIFICATION-- [PARTY]
(Asked in every year)
Generally speaking, do you consider yourself a Democrat, Republican, Independent, or what? Do you consider yourself a strong or not so strong Democrat (asked of Democrats)?
Do you consider yourself a strong or not so strong Republican (asked of Republicans)? Do you think of yourself as closer to the Democratic party or the Republican party (asked of Independents)? (Note: Independents closer to Democrats are coded as Independent Democrats, while Independents closer to Republicans are coded as Independent Republicans)
1) STRONG DEMOCRAT
2) WEAK DEMOCRAT
3) INDEPENDENT DEMOCRAT
4) PURE INDEPENDENT
5) INDEPENDENT REPUBLICAN
6) WEAK REPUBLICAN
7) STRONG REPUBLICAN
8) APOLITICAL
9) REFUSED
10) OTHER
. ) NOT ASKED/MISSING DATA
88A. POOR PARTY IMAGE --- [CARPOR]
(Asked in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002)
Which of the two parties--Democratic or Republican--do you think would do the best job in the following areas? Caring for the have-nots of society.
1) DEMOCRATIC
2) REPUBLICAN
3) BOTH ARE EQUAL
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
88B. EDUCATION PARTY IMAGE --- [SUPED]
(Asked in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002)
Which of the two parties--Democratic or Republican--do you think would do the best job in the following areas? Supporting education.
1) DEMOCRATIC
2) REPUBLICAN
3) BOTH ARE EQUAL
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
88C. CRIME PARTY IMAGE --- [REDCRIM]
(Asked in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002)
Which of the two parties--Democratic or Republican--do you think would do the best job in the following areas? Reducing the crime rate.
1) DEMOCRATIC
2) REPUBLICAN
3) BOTH ARE EQUAL
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
88D. VALUES PARTY IMAGE --- [PREVAL]
(Asked in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002)
Which of the two parties--Democratic or Republican--do you think would do the best job in the following areas? Preserving traditional values.
1) DEMOCRATIC
2) REPUBLICAN
3) BOTH ARE EQUAL
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
88E. BLACKS PARTY IMAGE --- [PROTBLAC]
(Asked in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002)
Which of the two parties--Democratic or Republican--do you think would do the best job in the following areas? Protecting the interests of African-Americans (blacks).
1) DEMOCRATIC
2) REPUBLICAN
3) BOTH ARE EQUAL
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
88F. YOURSELF PARTY IMAGE --- [PROTPEOP]
(Asked in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002)
Which of the two parties--Democratic or Republican--do you think would do the best job in the following areas? Protecting the interests of people like you.
1) DEMOCRATIC
2) REPUBLICAN
3) BOTH ARE EQUAL
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
88G. ECONOMY PARTY IMAGE --- [ECONOMY]
(Asked in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002)
Which of the two parties--Democratic or Republican--do you think would do the best job in the following areas? Maintaining a healthy economy.
1) DEMOCRATIC
2) REPUBLICAN
3) BOTH ARE EQUAL
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
88H. WOMEN PARTY IMAGE --- [WOMEN]
(Asked in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002)
Which of the two parties--Democratic or Republican--do you think would do the best job in the following areas? Protecting the interests of women.
1) DEMOCRATIC
2) REPUBLICAN
3) BOTH ARE EQUAL
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
88I. TAXES PARTY IMAGE --- [TAXES]
(Asked in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002)
Which of the two parties--Democratic or Republican--do you think would do the best job in the following areas? Holding down taxes?.
1) DEMOCRATIC
2) REPUBLICAN
3) BOTH ARE EQUAL
4) DON'T KNOW
5) REFUSED
94. LIBERALISM-CONSERVATISM-- 5 POINT SCALE [IDEOLOGY]
(Asked in Sept 1988, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
What about your political beliefs? Do you consider yourself very liberal, somewhat liberal, moderate or middle of the road, somewhat conservative, or very conservative?
(Note: in Sept. 1988 the categories are trichotomized)
1) VERY LIBERAL
2) SOMEWHAT LIBERAL (Includes Very Liberal in 1988)
3) MODERATE/MIDDLE OF THE ROAD
4) SOMEWHAT CONSERVATIVE (Includes Very Conservative in 1988)
5) VERY CONSERVATIVE
6) DON'T KNOW
7) REFUSED
. ) MISSING DATA
95. LIBERALISM-CONSERVATISM -- 7 POINT SCALE [IDEOLOLD]
(Asked in 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986, Apr 1988, 1990)
In politics today, do you think of yourself as a liberal, a conservative, or as middle-of-the-road, or don't you think of yourself in these terms? Do you consider yourself a strong or not so strong liberal (asked of liberals)? Do you consider yourself a strong or not so strong conservative (asked of conservatives)? Do you think of yourself as closer to liberals, or as closer to conservatives (asked of moderates)?
1) STRONG LIBERAL
2) WEAK LIBERAL
3) LEAN LIBERAL
4) MODERATE
5) LEAN CONSERVATIVE
6) WEAK CONSERVATIVE
7) STRONG CONSERVATIVE
8) DO NOT THINK/ DON'T KNOW
9) MISSING DATA/REFUSED
100. PERCEPTION OF GOVERNOR'S IDEOLOGY -- [IDEOGOV]
Please label the following political figures as very liberal, somewhat liberal, moderate (or middle of the road), somewhat conservative, or very conservative. Governor ___.
(Asked in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
1) VERY LIBERAL
2) SOMEWHAT LIBERAL
3) MODERATE/MIDDLE OF THE ROAD
4) SOMEWHAT CONSERVATIVE
5) VERY CONSERVATIVE
6) DON'T KNOW
7) REFUSED
100A. PERCEPTION OF OTHER STATE OFFICIAL'S IDEOLOGY -- [IDEOST]
(Asked in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Please label the following political figures as very liberal, somewhat liberal, moderate (or middle of the road), somewhat conservative, or very conservative. Secretary of State Dick Molpus (in 1992, 1994). Attorney General Mike Moore (1996). Lieutenant Governors Ronnie Musgrove (1998), Amy Tuck (2000-2006), and Phil Bryant (2008-2010). Attorney General Jim Hood (2012-2014).
1) VERY LIBERAL
2) SOMEWHAT LIBERAL
3) MODERATE/MIDDLE OF THE ROAD
4) SOMEWHAT CONSERVATIVE
5) VERY CONSERVATIVE
6) DON'T KNOW
7) REFUSED
101. PERCEPTION OF DEM PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE'S IDEOLOGY-- [IDDEM]
(Asked in Sept 1988, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Please label the following political figures as very liberal, somewhat liberal, moderate (or middle of the road), somewhat conservative, or very conservative: ________ (first and last name of Democratic presidential nominee). In 1988, "moderate" replaces "somewhat," and "very" is omitted). (Note: 1994 and 1998 includes Bill Clinton, 2006 includes Hillary Clinton, and 2010 and 2014 includes Barack Obama)
1) VERY LIBERAL
2) SOMEWHAT LIBERAL
3) MODERATE/MIDDLE OF THE ROAD
4) SOMEWHAT CONSERVATIVE
5) VERY CONSERVATIVE
6) DON'T KNOW
7) REFUSED
.) NOT ASKED
102. PERCEPTION OF REP PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE'S IDEOLOGY [IDREP]
(Asked in Sept 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Please label the following political figures as very liberal, somewhat liberal, moderate (or middle of the road), somewhat conservative, or very conservative: ________ (first and last name of Republican presidential nominee). (In 1988, "moderate" replaces "somewhat," and "very" is omitted). (Note: 2002 and 2006 includes Bush; 2010 includes Sarah Palin; 2014 includes Chris Christie)
1) VERY LIBERAL
2) SOMEWHAT LIBERAL
3) MODERATE/MIDDLE OF THE ROAD
4) SOMEWHAT CONSERVATIVE
5) VERY CONSERVATIVE
6) DON'T KNOW
7) REFUSED
.) NOT ASKED
103. PERCEPTION OF U.S. SENATOR'S IDEOLOGY [IDEOSEN]
(Asked in 1992, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2014)
Please label the following political figures as very liberal, somewhat liberal, moderate (or middle of the road), somewhat conservative, or very conservative: ________ (first and last name of Senator Lott in 1992, 1994, and 2000 and Senator Cochran in 1996 and 2014).
1) VERY LIBERAL
2) SOMEWHAT LIBERAL
3) MODERATE/MIDDLE OF THE ROAD
4) SOMEWHAT CONSERVATIVE
5) VERY CONSERVATIVE
6) DON'T KNOW
7) REFUSED
F. DEMOGRAPHICS
106. STATE RESIDENCY LENGTH [YRSINMS]
(Asked in every year)
How many years have you lived in Mississippi?
(Note: in 1988 surveys, codes are dichotomized)
CODED IN YEARS
0) LESS THAN 1 YEAR (Less than 16 in 1988 included here)
96) MORE THAN 95 YEARS (Over 15 in 1988 included here)
97) ALL OF MY LIFE
98) DON'T KNOW
99) REFUSED
. ) NOT ASKED/MISSING DATA
108. POPULATION OF RESIDENCE [POPULATE]
(Asked in 1984, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Which of the following best describes the place where you live? 1) A farm or ranch, 2) Non-farm rural area, 3) A town or village with less than 2,500 people, 4) A town of 2,500 to 10,000 people, 5) A city of 10,000 to 50,000 people, 6) Large city with more than 50,000 people
1) A FARM OR RANCH
2) NON-FARM RURAL AREA
3) A TOWN OR VILLAGE WITH LESS THAN 2,500 PEOPLE
4) A TOWN OF 2,500 TO 10,000 PEOPLE
5) A CITY OF 10,000 TO 50,000 PEOPLE
6) LARGE CITY WITH MORE THAN 50,000 PEOPLE
7) DON'T KNOW
8) REFUSED
. ) MISSING DATA
110. EDUCATIONAL LEVEL [EDUCATE]
(Asked in every year)
What was the last grade in school that you completed?
(Note: categories were trichotomized in September 1988)
1) 4TH GRADE OR LESS
2) GRADES 5 TO 8
3) GRADES 9 TO 11 (includes grades 0-11 in Sept. 1988, 2002, and in succeeding years)
4) 12TH GRADE
5) SOME COLLEGE (some college and above in Sept. 1988)
6) GRADUATED COLLEGE
7) SOME GRADUATE WORK
8) DON'T KNOW
9) REFUSED
. ) NOT ASKED/MISSING DATA
112. AGE [AGE]
(Asked in each year)
In what year were you born? (Recoded into Age of Respondent)
CODED IN YEARS
999) REFUSED OR DON'T KNOW
. ) NOT ASKED/MISSING DATA
113. RACE [RACE]
(Asked in each year)
Is your race white, black, or what?
1) WHITE
2) BLACK
3) OTHER
4) REFUSED
114. HOUSEHOLD SIZE [ADULTS]
(Asked every year except in 2012)
Including yourself, how many people 18 years and older currently live in this household?
CODED AS NUMBER OF PEOPLE 18 YEARS AND OLDER IN HOUSEHOLD
18) DON'T KNOW OR DON'T REMEMBER
19) REFUSED
114A. MARITAL STATUS [MARSTA]
(Asked in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Are you currently married, single, divorced, separated, widowed?
1) MARRIED
2) SINGLE
3) DIVORCED
4) SEPARATED
5) WIDOWED
6) REFUSED/DON'T KNOW
115. FAMILY INCOME-- MODERN VERSION [INCOME]
(Asked in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Last year, what was your total family income, before taxes? Please stop me when I am on the right level: 1) Under $10,000, 2) Between $10,000 AND $20,000, 3) Between $20,000 AND $30,000, 4) Between $30,000 AND $40,000, 5) Between $40,000 AND $50,000, 6) Between $50,000 AND $60,000, 7) Between $60,000 AND $70,000, 8) Over $70,000. (Note: 1994 excludes last category, Over $60,000 is coded as 7 in 1994)
1) UNDER $10,000
2) BETWEEN $10,000 AND $20,000
3) BETWEEN $20,000 AND $30,000
4) BETWEEN $30,000 AND $40,000
5) BETWEEN $40,000 AND $50,000
6) BETWEEN $50,000 AND $60,000
7) BETWEEN $60,000 AND $70,000
8) OVER $70,000
9) DON'T KNOW
10) REFUSED
116. FAMILY INCOME-- ORIGINAL VERSION [INCOMEPR]
(Asked in 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986, Apr 1988, Sept 1988, 1990)
Last year, what was your total family income, before taxes? Please stop me when I am on the right level: 1) Under $5,000; 2) Between $5,000 AND $10,000; 3) Between $10,000 and $15,000; 4) Between $15,000 AND $20,000; 5) Between $20,000 AND $25,000; 6) Between $25,000 AND $30,000; 7) Over $30,000
(Note: in both 1988 surveys, categories are trichotomized)
1) UNDER $5,000
2) BETWEEN $5,000 AND $10,000 (Under $10,000 in 1988)
3) BETWEEN $10,000 AND $15,000
4) BETWEEN $15,000 AND $20,000 ($10-20,000 in 1988)
5) BETWEEN $20,000 AND $25,000
6) BETWEEN $25,000 AND $30,000 (Over $20,000 in 1988)
7) OVER $30,000
8) DON'T KNOW
9) REFUSED
.) NOT ASKED
117-118. DIFFERENT TELEPHONE NUMBERS? [PHONENO]
(Asked every year before 2012)
Does your household have one telephone number, or more than one telephone number?
How many DIFFERENT telephone numbers does your household have (asked if more than one)?
NUMBER OF DIFFERENT TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE CODED
7) OVER 6
8) DON'T KNOW
9) REFUSED
.) MISSING DATA
119. SEX OF RESPONDENT [SEX]
(Asked every year)
Respondent's sex.
1) MALE
2) FEMALE
3) COULD NOT TELL FOR SURE
120. COUNTY OF RESIDENCE [COUNTY]
(Asked every year)
What county do you live in? (Coded from phone numbers in later surveys)
1) ADAMS
3) ALCORN
5) AMITE
7) ATTALA
9) BENTON
11) BOLIVAR
13) CALHOUN
15) CARROLL
17) CHICKASAW
19) CHOCTAW
21) CLAIBORNE
23) CLARKE
25) CLAY
27) COAHOMA
29) COPIAH
31) COVINGTON
33) DESOTO
35) FORREST
37) FRANKLIN
39) GEORGE
41) GREENE
43) GRENADA
45) HANCOCK
47) HARRISON
49) HINDS
51) HOLMES
53) HUMPHREYS
55) ISSAQUENA
57) ITAWAMBA
59) JACKSON
61) JASPER
63) JEFFERSON
65) JEFFERSON DAVIS
67) JONES
69) KEMPER
71) LAFAYETTE
73) LAMAR
75) LAUDERDALE
77) LAWRENCE
79) LEAKE
81) LEE
83) LEFLORE
85) LINCOLN
87) LOWNDES
89) MADISON
91) MARION
93) MARSHALL
95) MONROE
97) MONTGOMERY
99) NESHOBA
101) NEWTON
103) NOXUBEE
105) OKTIBBEHA
107) PANOLA
109) PEARL RIVER
111) PERRY
113) PIKE
115) PONTOTOC
117) PRENTISS
119) QUITMAN
121) RANKIN
123) SCOTT
125) SHARKEY
127) SIMPSON
129) SMITH
131) STONE
133) SUNFLOWER
135) TALLAHATCHIE
137) TATE
139) TIPPAH
141) TISHOMINGO
143) TUNICA
145) UNION
147) WALTHALL
149) WARREN
151) WASHINGTON
153) WAYNE
155) WEBSTER
157) WILKINSON
159) WINSTON
161) YALOBUSHA
163) YAZOO
999) MISSING
121. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT RESIDING IN [DISTRICT]
(Calculated in 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986, Apr-Sept 1988, 1990, 1994, 1998)
Congressional District of Respondent
(Note: missing years can be created from county of residence)
1) DISTRICT 1
2) DISTRICT 2
3) DISTRICT 3
4) DISTRICT 4
5) DISTRICT 5 (when it existed)
999) SPLIT COUNTIES (for example, Jasper, Madison, and Marion in 2008)
. ) UNKNOWN
126. RELIGIOUS DENOMINATION [RELIGION]
(Asked in 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008, 2012)
What is your religious preference? (What church or denomination?)
(WATCH THE RECODINGS)
1) Baptist
2) Pentecost/Pentecostal
3) Presbyterian
4) Church of Christ
5) Seventh Day Adventist
6) Southern Baptist
7) Methodist
8) Church of God
9) Non-Denominational Protestant
10) Assembly of God
11) Protestant (unspecified)
12) Lutheran
13) Episcopal/Episcopalian
14) Holiness Church
15) Mennonite
16) Church of God in Christ
17) Old School Christian
18) Holist
19) Non-denomination Christian/Christian
20) Prophecy Church
21) Catholic
22) Orthodox Catholic
23) First Christian
24) Church of God of Prophecy
25) Mormon
26) Jehovah's Witness
27) Muslim
28) Missionary Baptist
29) World Wide Church of God
33) Church of Brethren
34) Independent Baptist
35) New Hope Baptist
36) Nazarene
37) Full Gospel
38) Latterday Saints
39) First Baptist
40) Jewish
41) American Indian
42) Hindu
43) Trinity Baptist
44) Independent Christian
95) None
97) Other
98) Refused/Don't Know/Missing Data
G. ELECTIONS
(Note: questions were usually asked only of "likely voters")
132. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION [ELECPRES]
(Asked in 1984, Apr-Sept 1988, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
If the presidential election was held today, and the candidates were Democrat _____ and Republican _____, whom would you vote for? _____ or _____? (Excludes leaners)(1994 includes Clinton the Democrat versus Colin Powell the Republican; 1998 and 1999 includes Democrat Al Gore and Republican Texas Governor George W. Bush; 2006 includes Hillary Clinton the Democrat and Condoleeza Rice the Republican; 2010 includes Obama the Democrat versus Sarah Palin the Republican; 2014 includes Hillary Clinton the Democrat and Chris Christie the Republican)
1) DEMOCRAT
2) REPUBLICAN
3) UNDECIDED OR DON'T KNOW
4) REFUSED
. ) NOT ASKED/NON-VOTER
136. SENATE ELECTION [ELECSEN]
(Asked in 1982, 1984, Apr-Sept 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2008, 2014)
If the general election for United States Senator was held today, and the two candidates were Democrat _____ and Republican _____, whom would you vote for? _____ or _____? (Excludes leaners)(1990, 1992 are hypothetical Mabus versus Lott contests; others include actual Democratic and Republican candidates)(2000 included three minor candidates; 2014 included the Reform candidate)
1) DEMOCRAT
2) REPUBLICAN
3) UNDECIDED OR DON'T KNOW
4) REFUSED
5) OTHERS (minor candidates in 2000 and 2014)
. ) NOT ASKED/NON-VOTER
142. GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION [ELECGOV]
(Asked in 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2006)
If the election for governor was held today, and the candidates were Democrat _____ and Republican _____, whom would you vote for? _____ or _____? (1990 includes Mabus versus Jack Reed; 1992, 1994 include Molpus versus Fordice; 1996 includes Mike Moore versus Fordice; 1998 and 1999 includes Ronnie Musgrove versus Republican Mike Parker; 2002, 2006 includes Musgrove and Haley Barbour)
1) DEMOCRAT
2) REPUBLICAN
3) UNDECIDED OR DON'T KNOW
4) REFUSED
. ) NOT ASKED/NON-VOTER
145. U.S. HOUSE ELECTION [ELECHSE]
(Asked in 1981, 1982)
If the election for the United States House of Representatives was held today, and your present Representative was the candidate of his party, would you vote for the Democratic candidate or the Republican candidate for the House? (In 1982 asked only in the 2nd and 4th districts: If the election for the United States House of Representatives was held today, whom would you vote for--Robert Clark (or Wayne Dowdy) the Democrat, or Webb Franklin (or Liles Williams) the Republican, or William Harris an Independent?
1) DEMOCRAT
2) REPUBLICAN
3) INDEPENDENT
8) REFUSED
9) DO NOT KNOW/UNDECIDED
0) NOT APPLICABLE/NON-VOTER
H. PUBLIC POLICY-- STATE ISSUES
151. TAX INCREASE OR SERVICES CUT [TAXSERV]
(Asked in 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1992; wording varies)
In 1981 and 1982, wording was: "Like most states, Mississippi faces the problem of having enough tax money to pay for the various services and programs that the state government provides. One way to solve the problem is to raise taxes. Another way to resolve the problem is to reduce state services and programs. Which do you prefer? Do you feel strongly about this, or not so strongly?"
In 1984: "Last year the sales tax was temporarily raised and state spending was cut to deal with a financial crisis in the state. The crisis remains, and if the temporary sales tax increase expires, more state services and programs will be cut. Do you favor making the temporary sales tax increase permanent, or further cutting state services and programs?"
In 1986: "The state of Mississippi faces a financial crisis, and the legislature will have to raise taxes or cut services and programs. What would you support-- raising taxes, cutting services, or doing some of both?"
In 1992: "The state of Mississippi faces a financial crisis, and the legislature will have to raise taxes or cut spending on state programs. What would you support -- raising taxes or cutting spending?"
1) STRONG RAISE TAXES
2) WEAK RAISE TAXES (1984, tax increase permanent; 1986, 1992 tax increase)
3) MIXTURE/DO BOTH
4) WEAK CUT SERVICES (1984, cut services; 1986, 1992 services cut)
5) STRONG CUT SERVICES
9) DO NOT KNOW/REFUSED/MISSING DATA
154. EDUCATION TAX INCREASE VERSUS CUTS [TAXEDUC]
(Asked in 1986, 1990, 1992, 2004, wording varies)
In 1986: "Because of the financial crisis facing the state, Mississippi will have to cut spending on higher education by cutting faculty and staff salaries and firing some, or will have to raise taxes such as the state personal income tax. What would you support-- cutting higher education or raising taxes?
In 1990: "The state of Mississippi faces a financial crisis, and the legislature will have to raise taxes or cut spending on higher education and other state programs. What would you support-- raising taxes or cutting spending on higher education and other state programs?
In 1992 and 2004: "Currently, state government faces financial problems, and the legislature will have to raise taxes or reduce spending on public elementary, secondary, and higher education. What would you favor--raising taxes or reducing education spending? (Note: in 2004, the word "Mississippi" is inserted before the word "state".)
1) CUT EDUCATION
2) RAISE TAXES
5) DO BOTH/MIXED RESPONSE (volunteered)
9) DON'T KNOW/MISSING DATA
160. CLOSING UNIVERSITIES [CLOSEUNI]
(Asked in 1984, 1986, 1992, wording varies)
In 1984: "The state of Mississippi currently supports eight public universities. Would you support the closing of two of the smaller universities in order to save money. or do you think that all eight universities should be available to students?"
In 1986: " In a future of financial difficulty, what direction should higher education in Mississippi take? Should we close the smaller universities and programs in the state in order to help finance the four largest universities? Or should we keep all eight universities open in order to provide maximum access to higher education?"
In 1992: "In a future of financial difficulty, what direction should higher education in Mississippi take? Should we close the smaller universities and programs in the state in order to help finance the four largest universities? Or should we keep all eight public universities open in order to provide maximum access to higher education?
1) CLOSE SMALLER UNIVERSITIES
2) KEEP ALL EIGHT OPEN
3) OTHER/DO BOTH/CONSOLIDATE THEM
4) DON'T KNOW/REFUSED
165. LOTTERY [LOTTERY]
(Asked in 1986, 1990, 1992)
In 1990 and 1992: "Do you favor or oppose establishing a state lottery in Mississippi?"
In 1986: "Do you favor or oppose creation of a state lottery with the income Generated used to help public elementary, secondary, and higher education in Mississippi?"
1) FAVOR
2) OPPOSE
3) DON'T KNOW
4) REFUSE
167. SEAT BELT FINE [SEATBELT]
(Asked in 1986, 1990, 1994, 1996, wording varies)
In 1986, "Do you favor or oppose a proposed state law that would require that people in the front seats of cars use their seat belts?"
In 1990, "Do you favor or oppose a state law requiring a fine if people in the front seat of a car are not wearing a seat belt?"
In 1994 and 1996, "Do you think there should be a fine for not using a seat belt?"
1) YES/FAVOR
2) NO/OPPOSE
3) UNDECIDED/DON'T KNOW
4) REFUSES
177. COUNTY UNIT SYSTEM [UNITSYS]
(Asked in Apr-Sept 1988, wording varies)
In April 1988, "Do you favor the county unit system, or the county beat system, or haven't you heard anything about this subject?"
In Sept. 1988, "What is your opinion on the following referendum issue which will be on the ballot in November: Do you want to require the county to operate under the county-wide system of road administration?
1) COUNTY UNIT SYSTEM/COUNTY-WIDE ROAD ADMINISTRATION
2) BEAT SYSTEM/DON'T REQUIRE COUNTY-WIDE ADMINISTRATION
4) HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING/DON'T KNOW
0) NOT APPLICABLE/NOT ASKED
183. GUBERNATORIAL SUCCESSION [GOVSUCC]
(Asked in 1981, 1986, different categories)
In 1981, "Now I am going to ask your opinion on other issues facing the Mississippi state legislature. If you have no opinion on an issue, please tell me and we can skip to the next issue. Otherwise, tell me whether you strongly favor the proposed policy, somewhat favor it, strongly oppose, or somewhat oppose it. An amendment to the state constitution permitting a Governor to serve two terms in a row."
In 1986, "Do you favor or oppose an amendment to the state constitution that would permit a Governor to serve two terms in a row?"
1) STRONGLY FAVOR
2) SOMEWHAT FAVOR (Favor in 1986)
3) SOMEWHAT OPPOSE (Oppose in 1986)
4) STRONGLY OPPOSE
9) NO OPINION
186A. RACIAL PROFILING VICTIM [PROFILE]
(Asked in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Racial Profiling is when a law enforcement officer stops and asks a person questions or detains them, merely because of their race. Have you ever been a victim of racial profiling?
1) YES
2) NO
3) DON'T KNOW
4) REFUSED
186B. RACIAL PROFILING WIDESPREAD [PROWIDE]
(Asked in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Do you believe that racial profiling is a widespread practice in Mississippi?
1) YES
2) NO
3) DON'T KNOW
4) REFUSED
186C. RACIAL PROFILING PERMIT [PRSHOULD]
(Asked in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Do you believe that law enforcement officers should be allowed to use racial profiling to fight crime?
1) YES
2) NO
3) DON'T KNOW
4) REFUSED
I. BEHAVIOR
198. SEAT BELT USAGE [SEATUSE]
(Asked in 1994, 1996, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
How often do you use seat belts when driving? Always, most of the time, seldom, or never?
1) ALWAYS
2) MOST OF THE TIME
3) SELDOM
4) NEVER
5) DON'T KNOW
6) REFUSED
206. PERSONAL COMPUTER ACCESS [PCACCESS]
(Asked in 1984, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014)
Do you have access to a personal computer?
(Note: in 1984 and 1994, question reads: Does your household own a micro-computer?)
1) YES
2) NO
3) DON'T KNOW
4) REFUSED