Rockefeller Center Completes 3rd Annual New Hampshire State of the State Poll on Politics, Economic Issues, and Social Policies

The Rockefeller Center’s third annual State of the State surveyed a sample of New Hampshire registered voters (N=406) to get their opinions on policy issues, elected officials, and the state of the economy in New Hampshire and in the United States. Sample demographics and polling methodology are summarized at the end of this report.

In general, respondents indicate increasing dissatisfaction with current elected officials, particularly in regards to Democratic Governor John Lynch, whose approval ratings dropped 11.8 percent from 2009 to 2010. This dissatisfaction with current officials is also apparent in voters’ attitudes regarding to the upcoming Senate election in 2010. The presumptive Democratic candidate, 2nd District Representative Paul Hodes, polls lower among respondents than either potential Republican challenger (Kelly Ayotte or William ‘Bill’ Binnie), neither of whom currently holds elected office. In terms of New Hampshire policy, respondents show support for the expansion of gambling in the state, both generally as a policy issue (50.8 percent) and specifically as an option to help solve the state’s budget crisis (55.4 percent). Regarding recent national health care reform legislation, respondents were split in opinion, with 43.7 percent supporting and 44.4 percent opposing health care reform.