Education and Social Security were the two most important issues, followed by candidates choice of Supreme Court justices and the Middle East. The stock market comes in lowest in importance. Although not the most important issue overall, the ability to appoint Supreme Court justices is particularly important to liberals and Gore supporters. This dynamic has not changed in the past four months.
Women are more likely than men to note the importance of education as a part of their vote.
Forty-five percent of women said it was extremely important, as compared to 34 percent of men. Perhaps surprisingly, the education level of the respondent does not make a big difference in how he or she answers this question. As we would expect, older people are more likely to say that Social Security will be an important part of their vote. The next president will be able to appoint three, and possibly four, justices to the Supreme Court and a great deal of attention has been paid to the impact that these appointments may have on the future direction of our country. Liberals are more likely to be concerned with this issue than are conservatives and moderates.