May 27, 2010 The Clear Language Institute Florida Amendment #7 – HJR 7231

From May 20-21, 2010, Whitman Insight Strategies conducted 400 online interviews among registered voters in Florida Each respondent first answered a set of screening questions to confirm eligibility, followed by a series of demographic questions Respondents were then shown the text of HJR 7231, and asked a series of questions 2 Methodology

In establishing congressional and legislative district boundaries or plans, the state shall apply federal requirements and balance and implement the standards in the State Constitution. The state shall take into consideration the ability of racial and language minorities to participate in the political process and elect candidates of their choice, and communities of common interest other than political parties may be respected and promoted, both without subordination to any other provision of Article III of the State Constitution. Districts and plans are valid if the balancing and implementation of standards is rationally related to the standards contained in the State Constitution and is consistent with federal law. 3 Amendment Text

83% of Florida voters are not certain of how the amendment would affect them and their communities 81% of Florida voters think the amendment’s language is not clear 80% of Florida voters believe that the language of the amendment is confusing 72% of Florida voters do not fully understand the meaning of the amendment Six in ten Florida voters chose incorrect answer choices when asked to describe what will become law if the amendment were to pass 4 Findings

5 Voters Are Not Certain How The Amendment Would Affect Them I am not certain of how the proposed amendment would affect me and my community 83% I am certain of how the proposed amendment would affect me and my community 17% Which of the following BEST describes your understanding of the amendment?

6 The Language Is Not Clear I do not think the language of the amendment is clear 81% I think the language of the amendment is clear 19% Which of the following BEST describes your reaction to the amendment?

7 The Language Is Confusing The language of the amendment is confusing 80% The language of the amendment is not confusing 20% Which of the following BEST describes your reaction to the amendment?

8 Voters Do Not Fully Understand The Meaning Of The Amendment I do not fully understand the meaning of the amendment 72% I fully understand the meaning of the amendment 28% Which of the following BEST describes your understanding of the amendment?

9 Voters Found It Difficult To Determine The Impact Of The Amendment Answer ChoiceAnswer Disposition % Selected Statement A: When establishing congressional and legislative districts, the state will consider the ability of racial and language minority groups to participate in the political process and elect candidates of their choice Correct41% Statement B: Congressional and legislative district boundaries can be established to promote a political party as long as no racial or language minority groups are denied an equal opportunity to participate in the political process Incorrect11% Both statements will become law Incorrect25% Neither will become law Incorrect3% I am not sure Not Sure21% If the amendment passes, which of the following will become law? 60% *Percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding

10 Voters Found It Difficult To Determine The Impact Of The Amendment Answer ChoiceAnswer Disposition % Selected Statement A: The State Constitution will outline the standards for establishing congressional and legislative district boundaries; the state will implement these standards and apply necessary federal requirements Correct36% Statement B: A congressional or legislative district is valid if it is consistent only with the State Constitution; applying federal requirements is not necessary if the boundaries are consistent with Article III of the State Constitution Incorrect9% Both statements will become law Incorrect19% Neither will become law Incorrect6% I am not sure Not Sure30% If the amendment passes, which of the following will become law? 64% *Percentages may not equal 100% due to rounding