A new statewide poll of registered voters conducted by KAET-TV/Channel 8 and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University between February 19-22, 2004, found that two-thirds of all Arizona voters (66%) approved of the job Janet Napolitano is doing as governor of Arizona. Nineteen percent (19%) disapproved and 15% had no opinion. Democrats were more supportive (98%) than Republicans (57%) or independents (80%) and women were more supportive (82%) than men (62%).

The survey also found that a majority of voters (73%) approved of the way the governor handled the recent prison hostage situation. Fourteen percent (14%) disapproved and 13% had no opinion. A majority of Republicans, Democrats and political independents approved of the way the governor handled the hostage situation.

The survey also found that 63% of all registered voters said the committee the governor appointed to study what went wrong and how to improve officer safety in Arizona's prisons can do a fair and impartial job. Twenty-one percent (21%) were not convinced the committee would be fair and 16% offered no opinion. A majority of Republicans (64%), Democrats (85%) and independents (76%) with an opinion thought the committee appointed by the governor can conduct a fair investigation.

When asked if they had more confidence in the governor's committee or a committee formed by the Arizona Legislature, which will be led by Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley and former U.S. Attorney Melvin MacDonald, sentiment was evenly divided. Thirty-three percent (33%) favored the governor's committee, 31% favored the Romley's committee, 7% neither and 11% both. Eighteen percent (18%) were undecided. Republicans (60%) had more confidence in the committee appointed by the legislature; Democrats had more confidence in the governor's committee (60%).

Sixty percent (60%) of those interviewed would support additional funds to increase salaries and training for corrections officers even if their taxes have to be increased. Twenty-nine percent (29%) would not support the proposal and 11% had no opinion.

In another request for funding, the survey found a majority (55%) of voters would support an additional $25 million to fund full-day kindergarten in Arizona. Thirty-eight percent (38%) would not support the additional funds and 7% had no opinion.

Finally, by a two-to-one margin (62% to 28%) Arizona's registered voters said marriage should only be between a man and a woman. Only 10% of those interviewed did not have an opinion. Opinion about same-sex marriages divided all demographic categories. While 84% of the Republicans oppose same sex marriage, 54% of the Democrats interviewed are supportive. Sixty percent (60%) of the political independents were opposed. While a majority of both men and women were opposed to same sex marriage, women were more supportive (36%) than men (26%).

The statewide poll of 430 registered voters has a sampling error of plus or minus 4.7%. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of the interviews were conducted in Maricopa County, 17% in Pima County, and 26% in the less populated counties. The sample consisted of 41% Republicans, 36% Democrats and 23% independents. Fifty-two percent (52%) of voters interviewed were female and 48% male.

1. We would like to know if you approve or disapprove of the job Janet Napolitano is doing as governor of Arizona?

*numbers in parentheses are for those with an opinion.

2. Thinking now of the recent situation when correction officers were held hostage, do you approve or disapprove of the decision state officials made to negotiate rather than use force to end the hostage situation?

*numbers in parentheses are for those with an opinion.

3. The governor has formed a committee to investigate the recent hostage situation. Do you feel a committee apointed by the governor can or cannot conduct a fair and impartial investigation of the hostage situation?

*numbers in parentheses are for those with an opinion.

4. The state legislature has asked Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley to also investigate the hostage situation. He has retained former U.S. Attorney Mel McDonald to lead the investigation. Do you have more confidence in the govenor's investigation of the hostage situation or the one being conducted by the legislature and Rick Romley?

5. Although funding is very tight this year at the legislature, would you approve or disapprove of a tax increase to increase the pay and training of state corrections officers?

*numbers in parentheses are for those with an opinion.

6. The legislature has also been asked to approve $25 million dollars to fund full-day kindergarten in Arizona. Do you approve or disapprove of funding full-day kindergarten?

*numbers in parentheses are for those with an opinion.

7. Do you believe marriage should only be allowed between a man and a woman or should people of the same sex be allowed to marry?

*numbers in parentheses are for those with an opinion.