Economy Top Issue for Next Governor and Legislature to Address

In the latest statewide Ciruli Associates poll, the economy, followed by illegal immigration, are the top issues Colorado voters want the governor and state legislature to address.  The economy, including unemployment and the recession, currently dominates the public agenda.

The latest Ciruli Associates voter poll shows how the priorities of voters change from year to year. Although the economy and illegal immigration have been in the top five issues since 2006, their positions have shifted. K-12 education also tends to be a perennial concern. But, the state budget and tax burdens have appeared for the first time in the five-year span.

The statewide survey of 550 likely Colorado voters was conducted by Ciruli Associates from August 19 to 23, 2010. The political questions were a separate section of a survey sponsored by a consortium of grocery and convenience stores. The statistical range of error is ±4.2 percentage points.

Partisan Similarities and Differences

Some partisan differences exist among the top issues, although voters of both parties and those registered as unaffiliated mention the economy as the top issue. Republicans rate illegal immigration and tax burdens higher than Democrats. Nearly one-half of Democrats rate the economy as the critical issue the state legislature and governor must address. Unaffiliated voters say education and the state budget are slightly more important than illegal immigration and tax burdens.

The economy is the top issue for voters around the county.  The issue array, including the economy, illegal immigration, state budgets and tax burdens, gives some advantage to Republicans who have not been in office and who take a conservative approach on immigration, budgets and taxes.