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A recent poll conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) reveals that New Jersey residents are increasingly concerned about the impact of severe weather, particularly flooding. According to the survey, 77 percent of voters express concern over damage caused by extreme weather events, with 37 percent saying they are "very concerned" and 40 percent "somewhat concerned."
The poll, conducted in partnership with Rebuild by Design and the Environmental Defense Fund, highlights bipartisan support for increased state action to mitigate weather-related damage. Sixty-six percent of voters believe the state government should do more to protect infrastructure, with 78 percent of Democrats and 53 percent of Republicans in agreement.
A proposed $3 billion bond issue to fund projects aimed at reducing flood risks and strengthening infrastructure received support from 76 percent of those surveyed. This includes backing from 86 percent of Democrats, 75 percent of independents, and 64 percent of Republicans. Age differences were noted, with 82 percent of younger voters supporting the bond compared to 66 percent of those aged 65 and older.
Dan Cassino, Executive Director of the FDU Poll, stated, "Preparation and mitigation are partisan issues in the abstract, but politics doesn’t matter as much when people are seeing the damage with their own eyes." The poll surveyed 806 likely voters between July 17 and 23, with a margin of error of 3.4 percent.
The findings underscore the urgency felt by New Jerseyans to address the increasing threat of extreme weather, as noted by Kate Boicourt from the Environmental Defense Fund, who emphasized the importance of investing in resilience to prevent future disasters.