Floridian’s Awareness of Separation of
Power in the United States’
Government
Prepared for:
The Florida Bar
Draft Report
January 10, 2006
1
Table of Contents
Study Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Overview of Methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Summary of Key Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Detailed Findings . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Demographics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Detailed Methodology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2
Study Objectives



The Florida Bar commissioned Harris Interactive to conduct a research project to
gain insight into how well adults from Florida perceive and comprehend civic
issues.
The survey questions are designed to measure a few guiding principles in the
structure of the U.S. government. Specifically, this research focused on the
following topics:
-
Branches of government;
Separation of powers;
Checks and balances; and,
Independent judiciary.
Data from this study will be compared to results from the July 2005 American Bar
Association’s national survey exploring the same concepts.
3
Overview of Methodology
 All interviews were conducted by telephone using an unrestricted
Random Digit Dialing (RDD) technique that significantly reduces serial
bias and ensures that respondents with both listed and unlisted
numbers are reached. Only one interview was conducted per
household.
 Florida Sample
-Sample includes a representative sample of 400 Florida residents
aged 18 or older. Interviewing was conducted between December 27
and 29, 2005.
-The interview averaged 7 minutes in length.
 National Sample
-Interviews of 1,002 U.S. adults were conducted on behalf of the
American Bar Association between July 22 and 27, 2005.
4
Summary of Key Findings
5
Summary of Key Findings

The majority of Florida and U.S. adults are only aware of some of the basic
structures of the U.S. government.


Only slightly more than half of Floridians and the national sample could
correctly identify the three branches of government correctly, leaving
pluralities who cannot.



While vast majorities of Floridians (91%) can answer at least one of the division of powers
questions correctly, only one quarter (25%) and slightly less Americans as a whole (21%) were
able to answer all four correctly.

Nearly one in five Florida residents (18%) believe the three branches of government are “local,
state and federal.”
As a close third, 16% of Florida adults select “Republican, Democrat and Independent” as the
correct answer.
Of Florida adults with a college education or more, nearly eight in ten (79%) correctly identified
the three branches of government. Even more Americans (87%) selected the correct answer.
Despite high levels of reported familiarity with the concept of separation of
power, less than half of the Florida and national populations could correctly
identify the meaning of the concept.




Less than half (46%) of Florida adults and Americans as a whole (45%) can correctly identify
the meaning of the concept of separation of powers.
Among those least likely to identify the meaning of separation of powers were young adults (1834), adults with a high school education or less and those who are not married.
Of those who report they are very or somewhat familiar with the concept of separation of
powers, only 54% can correctly identify the meaning of the concept.
90% of Floridians and slightly less adults from the national sample (82%) feel that the
separation of powers is important, while only 2% of Floridians and 5% of U.S. adults report that
it is not important or they do not know what it means.
6
Summary of Key Findings
 The vast majority of Florida adults (93%) indicate that the concept of
checks and balances is important, but only less than two thirds (64%)
can correctly identify the meaning of the concept.
 Just about three quarters of Florida adults (72%) and slightly less adults nationally
(68%) report being very or somewhat familiar with the concept of checks and
balances.
 Florida adults 55+ had the most trouble identifying the meaning of checks and
balances with only 58% indicating the correct response. Of Florida residents
between the ages of 35-54, nearly eight in ten answered correctly.
 With only one quarter of Florida’s population answering incorrectly,
more Florida respondents were able to correctly identify the meaning
of independent judiciary as compared to the other government
structure terms.


Just over one in ten adults (12%) believe independent judiciary means “judges are not
Republicans or Democrats.”
More than seven in ten Florida adults who were married (74%), employed (75%) or education with
a college degree or more (84%) could identify this term.
7
Detailed Findings
8
Less than six in ten adults in Florida and across the country
can correctly identify the three branches of government.
Branches of Government
Florida vs. National
Legislative,
executive, and
judicial
59%
55%
18%
Local, state and
federal
16%
Republican,
Democrat and
Independent
State, national,
and international
Not sure/Decline
to answer (v)
16%
22%
Correct Response:
Florida: 59%
National: 55%
Incorrect Response:
Florida: 37%
National: 40%
3%
3%
4%
5%
Florida
National
9
Q411: What are the three branches of government?
Base: All adults Florida (n=400), All adults National (n=1002)
Florida adults who are men, employed, have at least a college education, are married
and fall between the ages of 35 and 54 are significantly more likely than the overall
population of Florida to correctly identify the three branches of government; national
results mirror this demographic pattern.
Branches of Government – Demographic Profile
Gender
Education
Employment
Age
Marital Status
Total
Men
Women
High
school
or less
Some
college
College
or more
Employed
Not
employed
18-34
35-54
55+
Married
Not
married
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
Florida
Correct
Incorrect
59
37
66
31
53
42
41
55
69
24
79
19
64
29
52
47
56
39
67
27
53
45
64
32
51
44
Correct
Incorrect
55
40
60
37
51
43
33
60
62
35
87
12
66
32
44
48
57
38
57
40
53
41
63
33
46
49
National
Q411: What are the three branches of government?
Base: Florida: All adults (n=400), Men (n=192), Women (n=208), High school or less (n=86*), Some college (n=137), College or more (n=177), Employed
(n=224), Not employed (n=175), 18-34 (n=72*), 35-54 (n=135), 55+ (n=192), Married (n=255), Not Married (n=141); National: All adults (n=1002), Men (n=483),
Women (n=519), High school or less (n=273), Some college (n=310), College or more (n=416), Employed (n=582), Not employed (n=415), 18-34 (n=197), 35-54
(n=386), 55+ (n=409), Married (n=601), Not Married (n=394)
10
Similar numbers of adults from Florida (67%) and the entire U.S. (63%)
indicate familiarity with the concept of separation of powers.
Familiarity with U.S. Constitution
Separation of Powers
20%
21%
Very familiar
47%
42%
Somewhat
familiar
19%
20%
Not very
familiar
14%
16%
Not familiar
at all
Not
sure/Decline
to answer (v)
Total Familiar
Florida: 67%
National: 63%
Total Not Familiar
Florida: 33%
National: 36%
1%
Florida
National
Q415_1: How familiar would you say you are with these concepts on which the U.S. constitution is structured- very familiar, somewhat familiar,
not very familiar, or not at all familiar?
Base: All adults Florida (n=400), All adults National (n=1002)
11
The vast majority of Floridians (90%) feel the concept of separation
of powers is important, somewhat more than adults nationally (82%).
Importance of Separation of Powers
71%
61%
Very important
19%
21%
Important
8%
13%
Somewhat important
Not important
1%
3%
Not sure what it means
1%
2%
Not sure/Decline to answer
(v)
Total Important
Florida: 90%
National: 82%
Not Important/
Not Sure What it Means
Florida: 2%
National: 5%
1%
Florida
National
12
Q425: How important is the principle of “separation of powers” in the federal government?
Base: All adults Florida (n=400), All adults National (n=1002)
Nearly half (46%) of Florida respondents and U.S. adults (45%) correctly
identified the meaning of separation of powers. Of those who are very or
somewhat familiar with separation of powers, 54% answered correctly.
Meaning of Separation of Powers
Florida
National
%
%
Congress, the President and the Federal Courts each have different
responsibilities.
46
45
Different federal departments have different powers. For example, the
Department of Defense runs the military while the Department of Justice
prosecutes crimes.
29
27
The federal government does some things, like set postage rates, while
state governments have other powers, like setting speed limits on state
highways.
15
15
Republicans can do some things, but Democrats can do others.
4
6
Not sure/Decline to answer (v)
7
8
Of Floridians who reported
they were very or
somewhat familiar with
“separation of powers,”
44% answered incorrectly.
Correct Response:
Florida: 46%
National: 45%
Incorrect Response:
Florida: 47%
National: 48%
Of Floridians who reported
they were very or somewhat
familiar with “separation of
powers,” 54% answered
correctly.
13
Q420: Which of the following best describes what “separation of powers” means?
Base: Florida: All adults (n=400), Answered separation of powers correctly (n=218), Very or somewhat familiar with separation of powers (n=311)
Adults 35+ are about 1.5 times more likely than young adults (18-34) to identify the
meaning of separation of powers correctly. Unlike the rest of the civic questions,
unemployed Floridians were more likely than their employed counterparts to answer
correctly.
Separation of Powers – Demographic Profile
Gender
Education
Employment
Age
Marital Status
Total
Men
Women
High
school
or less
Some
college
College
or more
Employed
Not
employed
18-34
35-54
55+
Married
Not
married
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
Florida
Correct
Incorrect
46
47
49
45
44
49
39
51
50
43
56
44
42
53
52
39
34
56
50
47
52
40
50
45
40
50
Correct
Incorrect
45
48
48
47
42
48
32
61
50
45
61
39
50
48
39
48
35
61
47
49
48
40
51
44
37
51
National
Q420: Which of the following best describes what “separation of powers” means?
Base: Florida: All adults (n=400), Men (n=192), Women (n=208), High school or less (n=86*), Some college (n=137), College or more (n=177), Employed
(n=224), Not employed (n=175), 18-34 (n=72*), 35-54 (n=135), 55+ (n=192), Married (n=255), Not Married (n=141); National: All adults (n=1002), Men (n=483),
Women (n=519), High school or less (n=273), Some college (n=310), College or more (n=416), Employed (n=582), Not employed (n=415), 18-34 (n=197), 35-54
(n=386), 55+ (n=409), Married (n=601), Not Married (n=394)
14
The majority of Florida (72%) and national (68%) adults also report
that they are familiar with the concept of checks and balances.
Familiarity with U.S. Constitution
Checks and Balances
24%
23%
Very familiar
48%
45%
Somewhat
familiar
15%
19%
Not very
familiar
Not familiar
at all
13%
13%
Total Familiar
Florida: 72%
National: 68%
Total Not Familiar
Florida: 28%
National: 32%
Not
sure/Decline
to answer (v)
Florida
National
Q415_2: How familiar would you say you are with these concepts on which the U.S. constitution is structured- very familiar, somewhat familiar,
not very familiar, or not at all familiar?
Base: All adults Florida (n=400), All adults National (n=1002)
15
Nearly all Florida residents (93%) and Americans as a whole (86%)
feel the concept of checks and balances is important, with more than
two thirds citing this concept as very important.
Importance of Checks and Balances
76%
Very important
69%
17%
17%
Important
Somewhat
important
Not important
Total Important
Florida: 93%
National: 86%
3%
11%
2%
2%
Not sure what it
means
1%
1%
Not sure/Decline to
answer (v)
1%
Not Important/
Not Sure What it Means
Florida: 3%
National: 3%
Florida
National
16
Q435: How important is the principle of “checks and balances” in the federal government?
Base: All adults (n=), All adults National (n=1002)
When it comes to checks and balances, about six in ten Florida adults
(61%) can correctly identify the meaning, compared to less than half
(46%) who correctly identified the meaning of separation of powers.
Meaning of Checks and Balances
Florida
National
%
%
A division of power among the branches of federal government that
prevents any one of them from going beyond their constitutional authority.
61
64
Negotiations between Congress and the President over a balanced federal
budget.
17
15
The decisions by the Federal Reserve Board about interest rates and
banking.
10
8
Regulation of auditors and the financial services industry by the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
7
6
Not sure/Decline to answer (v)
5
6
Most Likely to Answer Incorrectly
55+: 38%
High school education or less: 49%
Unemployed: 42%
Correct Response:
Florida: 61%
National: 64%
Incorrect Response:
Florida: 33%
National: 29%
Most Likely to Answer Correctly
35-54: 79%
College education or higher: 84%
Employed: 70%
Q430: Which of the following best describes what “checks and balances” refers to?
Base: All adults (n=400), High school or less (n=86*), College or more (n=177), Employed (n=224), Not employed (n=175), 35-54 (n=135), 55+ (n=192); All adults
National (n=1002)
17
Nearly three-quarters of Florida adults (72%) were able to correctly
identify the meaning of an independent judiciary.
Meaning of Independent Judiciary
Florida
%
Judges are fair, impartial and free from political influence.
72
Judges are not Republicans or Democrats.
12
Judges can make decisions based on what they personally believe.
7
Judges can make or change laws from the bench.
6
Not sure/Decline to answer (v)
3
Most Likely to Answer Incorrectly
18-34: 39%
High school education or less: 32%
Unemployed: 31%
Correct Response:
Florida: 72%
Incorrect Response:
Florida: 25%
Most Likely to Answer Correctly
35-54: 79%
College education or higher: 84%
Employed: 75%
Q440: I’m going to read you a list of several phrases that might describe what it means to have an independent judiciary. Which do you think best describes
what is meant by the term “independent judiciary?”
Base: All adults (n=400), High school or less (n=86*), College or more (n=177), Employed (n=224), Not employed (n=175), 35-54 (n=135), 55+ (n=192); All
adults National (n=1002)
18
One quarter of Floridians and slightly less U.S. adults (21%) can
correctly answer all four questions about the U.S. government’s
separation of powers.
Summary of Correct Answers
27%
22%
19%
20%
22%
25%
21%
21%
14%
9%
Answered 0
questions correctly
Answered 1 question
correctly
Florida
Answered 2
questions correctly
Answered 3
questions correctly
Answered 4
questions correctly
National
19
Q411/Q420/Q430/Q440 – Summary of Correct Answers
Base: All Florida respondents (n=400), All National respondents (n=1,002)
Respondent Profile
20
Respondent Profile
Gender
Male
Female
Florida National
Total
Total
%
%
48
52
Children <18 in Florida
Household
Total
%
48
52
Marital Status
Married
Single, never married
Divorced
Separated
Widowed
Living with partner
Yes
No
National
Total
%
35
65
Florida
Total
%
National
Total
%
59
21
9
3
7
*
55
19
13
2
10
*
38
25
Race
White
Black/African American
Asian/Asian American
Other
Decline to answer
Age
Under 35
35 – 54
55+
Florida
Total
%
National
Total
%
28
35
37
22
37
41
Florida
Total
%
National
Total
%
67
12
1
2
2
73
12
1
6
2
16
84
10
90
Ethnicity
Yes, of Hispanic origin
No, not of Hispanic origin
21
Respondent Profile (continued)
Education
Florida
Total
%
National
Total
%
45
29
26
43
33
24
High school graduate or less
Some college
College graduate or more
Employment Status
Employed full-time
Employed part-time
Not employed
Florida
Total
%
National
Total
%
49
8
43
41
10
48
Household Income
Less than $25,000
$25,000 - $49,999
$50,000 - $79,999
$80,000 or more
Decline to answer
Florida
Total
%
National
Total
%
21
24
19
23
12
33
27
17
12
12
22
Detailed Methodology
23
Detailed Methodology



Harris Interactive conducted this telephone study. The company is the 13th largest and the
fastest-growing market research firm in the world, most widely known for The Harris Poll® and for
its pioneering leadership in the online market research industry. Long recognized by its clients for
delivering insights that enable confident business decisions, the Company blends the science of
innovative research with the art of strategic consulting to deliver knowledge that leads to
measurable and enduring value.
The Separation of Powers Survey was conducted by telephone with a representative sample of
400 Florida adults who are 18 years or older.
Telephone interviews were conducted between December 27 and 29, 2005.
Telephone Interviewing Procedures


Telephone interviews averaged 7 minutes in length.
Screening and interviewing for the study was conducted by Harris’ large, professional interviewing
staff. Interviewing was regularly quality-monitored by Harris’ field supervisory staff.
Telephone Sample Selection

The telephone sample used a stratified sampling process designed to produce representative
samples of persons in telephone households in Florida. The sampling procedure ensures equal
representation of persons in both households which are "listed" in telephone directories, as well as
persons in households which are "unlisted”.
24
Detailed Methodology
CATI System Used in Telephone Interviews

The Harris computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) system
permitted on-line data entry and on-line data editing of the telephone
interviews. This system controls complicated skip patterns based on
individual responses during the course of the interview, and it allows
consistency checks to be built in for key items. Furthermore, it reduced
clerical error by eliminating the need for keypunching. Interviewers
enter the respondents’ answers directly into a computer terminal during
the interview itself.
Weighting the Data

The survey was weighted to figures obtained from the March 2005
Current Population Survey (CPS) using age, sex, education, race and
ethnicity and income.
25
Methodology
Reliability of Survey Percentages




It is important to bear in mind that the results from any sample survey are subject to sampling
variation. The magnitude of this variation is measurable and is affected both by the number of
interviews involved and by the level of the percentages expressed in the results.
Table B-2 shows the range of sampling variation that applies to percentage results for this survey.
The chances are 95 in 100 that the survey results do not vary, plus or minus, by more than the
indicated number of percentage points from the results that would have been obtained had
interviews been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the sample.
For example, if the response for a sample size of 200 is 30 percent, then in 95 cases out of 100 the
response in the total population would be between 24 percent and 36 percent. Note that survey
results based on subgroups of small size can be subject to larger sampling error.
Unfortunately, there are several other possible sources of error in all polls or surveys that are
probably more serious than theoretical calculations of sampling error. They include refusals to be
interviewed (non-response), question wording and question order, interviewer bias, weighting by
demographic control data and screening (e.g. for likely voters). It is difficult or impossible to
quantify the errors that may result from these factors.
26
Methodology
Exhibit B.2
Approximate Sampling Tolerances (At 95% Confidence) To
Use In Evaluating Percentage Results Appearing In This Report
Survey
Percentage
Result At
10% Or 90%
Survey
Percentage
Result At
20% Or 80%
Survey
Percentage
Result At
30% Or 70%
Survey
Percentage
Result At
40% Or 60%
Survey
Percentage
Result At
50%
1,000
2
2
3
3
3
900
2
3
3
3
3
800
2
3
3
3
3
700
2
3
3
4
4
600
2
3
4
4
4
500
3
4
4
4
4
400
3
4
4
5
5
300
3
5
5
6
6
200
4
6
6
7
7
100
6
8
9
10
10
50
8
11
13
14
14
Number Of People Asked
Question On Which Survey
Result Is Based
27
Methodology


Sampling tolerances are also involved in the comparison of results from different surveys
or from different parts of a sample (subgroup analysis). Table B-3 displays the percentage
difference that must be obtained before a difference can be considered statistically
significant. These figures also represent the 95 percent confidence level.
For example, suppose that one group of 100 has a response of 34 percent “yes” to a
question, and an independent group of 100 has a response of 28 percent “yes” to the
same question, for an observed difference of six percentage points. Since the observed
difference is less than the sampling error, the observed difference is not significance.
28
Methodology
Exhibit B.3
Approximate Sampling Tolerances (At 95% Confidence) To Use In Evaluating
Differences Between Two Percentage Results Appearing In This Report
Survey
Percentage
Result At
10% Or 90%
Survey
Percentage
Result At 20%
Or 80%
Survey
Percentage
Result At
30% Or 70%
Survey
Percentage
Result At
40% Or 60%
Survey
Percentage
Result At 50%
3
4
4
4
4
500
3
4
5
5
5
200
5
6
7
7
8
100
6
8
9
10
10
50
9
11
13
14
14
500 vs. 500
4
5
6
6
6
200
5
7
8
8
8
100
6
9
10
11
11
50
9
12
13
14
15
200 vs. 200
6
8
9
10
10
100
7
10
11
12
12
50
9
12
14
15
15
8
11
13
14
14
10
14
16
17
17
12
16
18
19
20
Approximate Sample Size Of Two
Groups Asked Question On Which
Survey Result Is Based
1,000 vs. 1,000
100 vs. 100
50
50 vs. 50
29
Methodology
Non-Sampling Error

Sampling error is only one way in which survey findings may vary from the findings that
would result from interviewing every member of the relevant population. Survey research
is susceptible to human and mechanical errors as well, such as respondent recording
errors, in addition to errors resulting from the experimental nature of current Internet
research. However, the procedures used by the Harris firm, including the sampling and
interviewing systems described earlier, keep these types of errors to a minimum.
30