ABC News Post-Election Poll #1, November 2000

This special topic poll, fielded November 12, 2000, is part of a continuing series of monthly surveys that solicit public opinion on the presidency and on a range of other political and social issues. This data collection focused on the presidential election that took place on November 7, 2000. Respondents were asked about the extent of their personal interest in and concern about the situation in the country five days after the election. Questions examined opinions on the way various groups were handling the election, including Vice President Al Gore's and Texas governor George W. Bush's campaigns, local officials in Florida, and the news media. Respondents were also asked whom they wanted to see become the next president. Opinions were elicited on the need for a new presidential election in Palm Beach County, Florida, in the entire state of Florida, in other states where election results were very close, and across the entire country. Additional topics covered whether George W. Bush and Al Gore should accept the recount in Florida or should ask courts to look into whether the voting was unfair and if they should ask for a recount in other states where the results were very close. Those polled expressed their views about electing the president by direct popular vote versus by the Electoral College, their confidence about the accuracy of Florida's recount, and whether the ballot that was used in Palm Beach County was fair. The survey also investigated what impact the unclear post-election situation would have, especially on the country's system of presidential elections. Background information on respondents includes age, gender, education, race, partyaffiliation, political orientation, and voter registration.