Forty-one percent of North Dakota voters are worried or pessimistic about the future of the American economy as they prepare to cast their ballots Nov. 4, according to a Forum poll.
Although optimistic voters outnumber pessimists by a margin of five to one, 35 percent are worried and 29 percent are uncertain in assessing the economic future, indicating that doubts cloud the issue voters overwhelmingly regard as the most important.
Voters' attitudes about the role of religion in public life provide another hint of how their choices might be influenced.
Fifty percent of voters regard religion as a private matter, while 10 percent believe it is overemphasized, according to the Oct. 6-8 telephone survey of 606 likely North Dakota voters by the Public Affairs Institute of Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Still, 14 percent believe society needs more religion in public life, and 27 percent view it as an important consideration, suggesting a sizable minority of voters consider a candidate's faith.
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Among voters who support a greater role of religion in public life, Republican John McCain has a large lead over Democrat Barack Obama in the presidential race, 62 percent to 29 percent.
Similarly, those who regard religion as important in public life favor McCain over Obama by 71 percent to 20 percent.
But the reverse is true for voters who believe religion is overemphasized or a private matter, most of whom prefer Obama to McCain.
Obama also draws more support among voters who regard the economy as the most important issue.
Jim Danielson, co-director of MSUM's Public Affairs Institute, said the significant economic challenges confronting the nation mean voters appear less likely than in recent years to be influenced by religion in the public square.
"I think it probably reflects a gradually changing view in America that the intense religious evaluations I think are making up a smaller proportion of our population than they did five or 10 years ago," he said.
Philip Baumann, Danielson's colleague as political analyst and co-director of the Public Affairs Institute, said when peoples' material needs are secure, they are more likely to look to consider social and values issues.
Voters' definition of values issues appears to be broadening, he said, with greater emphasis on the environment and climate, Baumann said.
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"North Dakota's a conservative state," he added. A common strand of that conservatism, however, is a high regard for individual rights, and a tendency to judge a candidate more on policy considerations than religious views.
Reach Springer at (701) 241-5522. The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead and the Herald are owned by Forum Communications Co.
