Saratoga Lake vs. The Hudson River: Voter Preferences for the Future Saratoga Springs Drinking Water Source Environmental Studies Capstone Project 2007 Sarah Loomis and Julie Ringer

Methodology 21 Question Phone Survey Phone numbers taken from the Board of Elections Numbers were randomized using Microsoft Excel 313 Respondents Surveys Completed March 20- April 7 Calling Hours 11 AM- 8 PM Data was analyzed using SPSS Multivariate Analysis Logistical Regression

Voters Prefer Saratoga Lake Q: Which source do you favor, Saratoga Lake or the Hudson?

Influential Factors Issue Framing Cost, Water Quality, Local Control, Development (Kellogg and Ennis- McMillan, 2005) Recreation Habits Partisanship and Ideology Environmental Attitude

Issues Associated With Each Source Saratoga Lake –Development –Local Control –Cost –Water Quality The Hudson –Cost –Water Quality –Recreation

What Resonates With Voters? Q: Out of all of the factors to consider when choosing a drinking water source, which is the most important to you?

The Likelihood of Residents to Favor Saratoga Lake as Informed by Issue Framing Logistical regression for who favors Saratoga Lake P = 0.00P = 0.01

Those Who Use Saratoga Lake, Prefer the Hudson Recreation Cross-tabulated with Preferred Source

The Majority of Residents Seldom Use Saratoga Lake Q: How often do you use Saratoga Lake for recreational purposes?

Party Identification Q: When it comes to politics do you generally consider yourself a Democrat, Independent, or a Republican?

Democrats are More Likely to Favor Saratoga Lake Relationship between Party ID and Saratoga Lake P = 0.03P= 0.72

Voters Care About the Environment Q: How important to you is the environment?

People Who Think that the Environment is the Most Important Factor, Favor Saratoga Lake Importance of the Environment Cross-tabulated with Source Preference

Issue Framing: Quality Q: How important to you is quality, when choosing a water source?

Conclusions Voters favor Saratoga Lake –Perceived Cheaper Cost –Perceived Higher Water Quality How to attract voter support? –Focus on Cost and Water Quality –Access to Recreation –Local Control and Impact on Development