One West Texas A&M University professor is doing his best to stir the mayoral pot a little bit by finding out what voters are thinking.
Dr. David Rausch has posted a pre-election poll to collect data to better understand some of the issues facing our city.
The pre-election poll is designed only for registered voters, and all answers remain anonymous. Those who don't want to take the poll online, and want to do it more personally, can call Dr. Rausch at 651-2423. Some of the questions are about whether you are for or against the three issues being voted on May 14th.
More specifically the issue of single member districts, the downtown design standards and a sign ordinance passed more than a year ago.
But data isn't the only reason Rausch is doing this study he is also hoping to spark a little bit more campaigning.
"Perhaps the strongest motivation is my reaction to the critics who say that University professors only do research that's published in journals that nobody reads. I like to use my research skills to contribute to my community. The second motivation is pure curiosity. It seems like Amarillo residents have been expressing some frustration with their city government over the past year or so. What is the depth of this frustration and what are some possible sources of frustration? Will the vote reflect the frustration with city government?"
"I'm also hoping to motivate some of the candidates to campaign a little harder. I haven't sensed a lot of campaigning thus far."
But why an online survey?
"It's cheaper. I would like to pay a survey research firm to call 300 registered voters in Amarillo, but I don't have access to the funds such a project requires."
And how does Rausch plan on using this data?
"Unlike my past exit polls, I will be releasing the data before the election, probably near the beginning of early voting on May 2. I will submit a paper to one of those journals that nobody reads. Finally, I use the data I collect in social statistics and social research methods classes."
Rausch's pre-election poll will run until the end of this month and for mor information you can call that number above or go tohttp://www.wtamu.edu/~jrausch and check out the survey.
