FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 7, 1999
Contact: Nick Healy
(651) 296-2146, Fax: (651) 297-8135
1999 State Fair Poll Results
[St. Paul] ‹ Minnesotans do not support the notion of a unicameral legislature and do not
discriminate when it comes to their opposition to public funding for facilities for the Twins or
Vikings, according to an unofficial opinion poll conducted by the Minnesota House of
Representatives during the 1999 Minnesota State Fair. The poll asked separate questions related
to stadium proposals for the Twins and Vikings. The plan to build a St. Paul ballpark to house the
Twins received only slightly more support than the idea of providing public backing for a new
football stadium.
The poll also showed that respondents believe the governor should reimburse the state for
expenses related to his personal business. Fairgoers also showed support for the legalization of
marijuana for medical uses and (by a relatively narrow margin) the installation of slot machines at
Canterbury Park.
Nearly 7,000 fairgoers stopped by the House booth in the Education Building and completed the
10-question poll. The results were electronically calculated after the fair concluded Sept. 6.
Here's a look at the poll questions with fairgoers' responses:
1. Would you support a constitutional amendment that would eliminate the Minnesota
Senate and House of Representatives and replace them with a unicameral (one-house)
legislature?
| Yes | 36.7% | (2,550) |
| No | 49.2% | (3,421) |
| Undecided/No Opinion | 14.1% | (979) |
2. Should Minnesota's primary elections be moved from early September to late June?
| Yes | 25.1% | (1,744) |
| No | 52.9% | (3,672) |
| Undecided/ No Opinion | 21.9% | (1,519) |
3. Should the state allow cities to set their own speed limits?
| Yes | 37.3% | (2,586) |
| No | 56.1% | (3,884) |
| Undecided/No Opinion | 6.6% | (459) |
4. Should Minnesotans be allowed to buy and use small fireworks, such as firecrackers and
bottle rockets, in the days surrounding the Fourth of July?
| Yes | 46.6% | (3,239) |
| No | 49.2% | (3,420) |
| Undecided/No opinion | 4.3% | (299) |
5. Should state legislators be prohibited from working as lobbyists during the first year after
they leave office?
| Yes | 68.8% | (4,757) |
| No | 21.8% | (1,507) |
| Undecided/No Opinion | 9.5% | (654) |
6. Should the state allow the installation of slot machines at Canterbury Park horse racing
track?
| Yes | 48.0% | (3,335) |
| No | 43.0% | (2,990) |
| Undecided/No Opinion | 9.0% | (622) |
7. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for medical uses?
| Yes | 58.7% | (4,064) |
| No | 32.7% | (2,260) |
| Undecided/ No Opinion | 8.6% | (594) |
8. Should the state require reimbursement when the state incurs added costs from the
governor's involvement in personal business activities?
| Yes | 64.4% | (4,449) |
| No | 27.0% | (1,862) |
| Undecided/ No Opinion | 8.6% | (597) |
9. Should the state contribute one-third of the cost of a new stadium for the Minnesota Twins
in St. Paul?
| Yes | 22.4% | (1,556) |
| No | 72.9% | (5,059) |
| Undecided/ No Opinion | 4.8% | (333) |
10. Should the state contribute funds to help pay for a new stadium for the Minnesota
Vikings?
| Yes | 17.6% | (1,227) |
| No | 77.6% | (5,400) |
| Undecided/ No Opinion | 4.8% | (334) |
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Please Note: The Minnesota House of Representatives' survey is informal and unscientific. It is simply a
measurement of the opinions expressed by those who took the time to complete the poll while visiting our
booth at the fair. Our main purpose in conducting this opinion poll was to familiarize fairgoers with some
of the issues that have recently been discussed by the Legislature and issues that may be debated during
the upcoming legislative session.