FDU Poll Finds 3 in 4 NJ Voters Worried About Damage from Extreme Weather

logo for FDU poll

Voters Want the State to Do More, Support a Dedicated Bond

Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ, September 8, 2025 – With devastating floods becoming more common in New Jersey, three-quarters of voters (77 percent) now say that they are concerned about damage from extreme weather events. In the latest results from the FDU Poll, in partnership with Rebuild by Design and the Environmental Defense Fund, voters also say that the state should be doing more about investing in projects that would mitigate damage and support a multi-billion dollar bond issue to fund those efforts.

“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,” said Dan Cassino, a Professor of Government and Politics at Fairleigh Dickinson University, and the Executive Director of the FDU Poll. “You don’t have to believe in man-made climate change to think that the sort of flooding we’ve been seeing in New Jersey is a problem.”

Overall, 37 percent of likely voters in New Jersey say that they’re “very concerned” about property and infrastructure damage caused by extreme weather events like flooding, with another 40 percent saying that they’re “somewhat” concerned. Democrats are more likely to be concerned than Republicans, but even among Republicans, 63 percent say that they’re “very” or “somewhat” concerned.

That concern bleeds over into views of the role of government in dealing with extreme weather events. Sixty-six percent of voters say that the state government should be doing more to mitigate damage from weather events, including 78 percent of Democrats and 53 percent of Republicans. And while there is something of a partisan split on the issue, there is little division by age group: 63 percent of voters 30 and under say that they state should be doing more, alongside 66 percent of voters 65 and older. Few voters in any group – only about 5 percent of likely voters statewide – say that they state government is doing too much on the issue.

“In the past decade alone, flooding in New Jersey has led to the loss of dozens of lives, homes, and businesses. New Jersey voters know that enough is enough, and that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” said Kate Boicourt, NY-NJ Director, Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds of Environmental Defense Fund. “Investing in resilience can prevent these disasters, reap returns of 13 to 1 or more, create jobs, and make our neighborhoods safer and greener.”

The degree of concern about extreme weather events means that it’s no surprise that large majorities of voters say that it’s important for the state to make investments in mitigation projects: 60 percent say that it’s “very” important, and another 33 percent say “somewhat” important. While 97 percent of Democrats say that it’s “very” or “somewhat” important, 89 percent of Republicans say the same.

“Republicans are less likely to trust the government to do anything, and mitigating weather damage is no exception,” said Cassino. “So, when we see that Republicans and Democrats both favor doing something, it makes sense to take notice.”

In specific, the poll asked respondents whether they would support a $3 billion dollar bond issue to fund projects that would help mitigate damage from extreme weather and harden infrastructure against it. Seventy-six percent of voters say that they would support such a bond issue – 36 percent strongly – with 18 percent opposed to it. As with other questions on the topic, support is highest among Democrats (86 percent), but high across political groups (75 percent among independents, 64 percent for Republicans). Still, there is some variation in support: older voters, who are typically more tightfisted when it comes to government spending, are less likely to support the bond issue (66 percent support and 19 percent are opposed among voters 65 and older) than younger ones (82 percent support and 17 percent are opposed).

“Extreme weather is already impacting New Jersey families and their pocketbooks, with the state facing $277 billion in property value and $3.2 billion in annual tax revenue at risk from flooding,” said Amy Chester, Director of Rebuild by Design, “New Jersey voters overwhelmingly support actions to help communities adapt to increasing weather events, and by planning ahead, we can mitigate loss of life, loss of homes, and loss of tax dollars.”

Methodology

The FDU Poll is a proud member of the AAPOR Transparency Initiative and is devoted to ensuring that our results are presented in such a way that anyone can quickly and easily get all of the information that they may need to evaluate the validity of our surveys. We believe that transparency is the key to building trust in the work of high-quality public opinion research, and necessary to push our industry forward.

The survey was conducted between July 17 and 23, 2025, using a voter list of registered voters in New Jersey carried out by Braun Research of Princeton, New Jersey. Contact attempts were limited to registered voters who had voted in one or both of the last two NJ gubernatorial elections or were newly registered since the last NJ gubernatorial election. These respondents were considered likely voters if they met these criteria and said that they intended to vote in November’s gubernatorial election.

Respondents were contacted via either live caller telephone interviews, or text-to-web surveys sent to cellular phones, resulting in an overall sample of 806 registered voters in the state. Surveys were carried out via live caller telephone interviews to landlines (282) and cellphones (82) and the remainder (442) were done on a web platform via weblinks sent via SMS to cell phones. Surveys were conducted only in English.

The data were weighted to be representative of the population of registered voters in New Jersey. The weights used, like all weights, balance the demographic characteristics of the sample to match known population parameters. The weighted results used here are balanced to match parameters for sex, age, education and race/ethnicity.

SPSSINC RAKE, an SPSS extension module that simultaneously balances the distributions of all variables using the GENLOG procedure, was used to produce final weights. Weights were trimmed to prevent individual interviews from having too much influence on the final results. The use of these weights in statistical analysis helps to ensure that the demographic characteristics of the sample approximate the demographic characteristics of the target population. The size of these weights is used to construct the measure of design effects, which indicate the extent to which the reported results are being driven by the weights applied to the data, rather than found in the data itself. Simply put, these design effects tell us how many additional respondents would have been needed to get the weighted number of respondents across weighted categories: larger design effects indicate greater levels of under-representation in the data. In this case, calculated design effects are approximately 1.2, largely driven by the weights used on the race/ethnicity variable.

All surveys are subject to sampling error, which is the expected probable difference between interviewing everyone in a population versus a scientific sampling drawn from that population. Sampling error should be adjusted to recognize the effect of weighting the data to better match the population. In this poll, the simple sampling error for 806 registered voters is +/-3.4 percentage points, at a 95 percent confidence interval. Including the design effects, the margin of error would be +/-3.9 percentage points, though the figure not including them is much more commonly reported.

This error calculation does not take into account other sources of variation inherent in public opinion studies, such as non-response, question wording, differences in translated forms, or context effects. While such errors are known to exist, they are often unquantifiable within a particular survey, and all efforts, such as randomization and extensive pre-testing of items, have been used to minimize them.

Weighted Telephone Sample Characteristics

806 Likely Voters in New Jersey

Figures do not include individuals who declined to answer demographic items.

Man

47% N = 375
Woman

51% N = 414
Some Other Way

1% N = 6

18-30

16% N = 128
31-44

22% N = 179
45-64

32% N = 262
65+

30% N = 237

White

68% N = 550
Black

12% N = 95
Hispanic/Latino/a

12% N = 96
Asian

3% N = 25
MENA

2% N = 12
Other/Multi-racial

3% N = 27

No college degree

57% N = 458
College degree or more

42% N = 334

Democrat (including leaners)

45% N = 324
Independent (no lean)

16% N = 115
Republican (including leaners)

38% N = 272

Question Wording and Order

First off, we’d like to ask you about this Fall’s race for governor.

NJ1. In this November’s gubernatorial election, do you think you will vote for the Democrat Mikie Sherrill, the Republican Jack Ciattarelli, or do you think you’ll not vote? [Shuffle order of Sherrill and Ciattarelli in question]

Definitely vote for Democrat Mikie Sherrill
Probably vote for Sherrill
Definitely vote for Republican Jack Ciattarelli
Probably vote for Republican Jack Ciattarelli
Probably won’t vote
Not sure [Vol]
Vote for Someone else [Vol]
[DK/REF]

Respondents are randomly assigned (50/50) to get either:

NJ1 -> Local Items -> NJ2 -> National Items or

NJ1 -> National Items -> NJ2 -> Local Items

Local Items

[Intervening items held for later release]

L3. How concerned are you that extreme weather events, such as floods, will increase the amount of property and infrastructure damage experienced by New Jersey over the next few years – very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned?

Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
Not too concerned
Not at all concerned
[vol] DK/Ref

L4. Should New Jersey state government be doing more, less, or about the same as it is now to protect our buildings, coastlines, water supply, and energy and transportation infrastructure from the damage caused by extreme weather events?

More
Less
About the same
[vol] DK/Ref

L5. How important is it for New Jersey to invest in projects that will reduce flood risks, strengthen our infrastructure, protect our water supply, and make communities more resilient to extreme weather events – very important, somewhat important, not too important, not at all important?

Very important
Somewhat important
Not too important
Not at all important
[vol] DK/Ref

L6. Do you support or oppose establishing a three billion dollar ($3 billion) public bond in New Jersey specifically to fund projects that reduce flood risks, strengthen our infrastructure, protect our water supply, and make our communities more resilient. [Do you support/oppose this strongly or only somewhat?]

Strongly support
Somewhat support
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
[vol] DK/Ref]

L7. If you were to give NJ Transit a letter grade, like students get in school, what grade would you give NJ Transit? An A, a B, a C, a D or an F?

A
B
C
D
F
Not Sure [VOL]
DK/Ref [VOL]

[Intervening items held for later release]

National Items

Before getting back to New Jersey issues, we’d like to ask a few questions about national politics.

N1. Do you approve, or disapprove, of the job Donald Trump is doing as President?

Approve
Disapprove
Not Sure [Vol]
DK/Ref [vol]

[Randomly assign to N2A or N2B]

N2A. Earlier this month, President Trump signed a budget bill. The bill cuts spending on medical care and gives substantial tax breaks to wealthier Americans among other things. On the whole, do you support or oppose this bill?

Support
Oppose
Not Sure [Vol]
DK/Ref [vol]

N2B. Earlier this month, President Trump signed a budget bill. The bill cuts spending on medical care and gives substantial tax breaks to wealthier Americans among other things, like temporarily increasing how much of their property taxes homeowners can deduct from their taxes. On the whole, do you support or oppose this bill?

Support
Oppose
Not Sure [Vol]
DK/Ref [vol]

N3. When it comes to deporting immigrants who are living in the U.S. illegally, would you say the Trump administration is doing…

Too much
Too Little
About the right amount

N4. Regardless of your own immigration or citizenship status, how much, if at all, do you worry that you, a family member, or a close friend could be deported?

A Lot
Some
Not Much
Not at All

NJ2. Just to confirm, in this November’s gubernatorial election, do you think you will vote for the Democrat Mikie Sherrill, the Republican Jack Ciattarelli, or do you think you’ll not vote? [Shuffle order of Sherrill and Ciattarelli in question]

Definitely vote for Democrat Mikie Sherrill
Probably vote for Sherrill
Definitely vote for Republican Jack Ciattarelli
Probably vote for Republican Jack Ciattarelli
Probably won’t vote
Not sure [Vol]
Vote for Someone else [Vol]
[DK/REF]

Demographics

Just a few more questions, for statistical purposes

D1. In politics today, do you consider yourself a Democrat, Republican, Independent, or something else?

Democrat
Republican
Independent [ASK D1A]
Something Else/Other
DK/Ref [vol]

D1A. [Ask only if D1 is 3] Which way do you lean?

Democrat
Republican
Independent
Something Else/Other
DK/Ref [vol]

D1B. In addition, which of the following terms would you use to describe your political views? You can choose as many as you like. [Shuffle Order]

Liberal
Moderate
Conservative
Socialist
Progressive
Libertarian
Make America Great Again or MAGA
Nationalist

D2A. To ensure we are reaching people of all ages, would you please tell me your age?

____ (ENTER AGE: 98=98+, 99 = REFUSED)

[IF Don’t Know/REFUSED IN QD1, ASK:]

D2B. Would you be willing to tell us whether it’s between…?

Under 30
31 to 44
45 to 64
65 or over
[Refused]

D6. Do you own or rent your current residence?

Own [or have a mortgage]
Rent
Something else [vol]
DK/REF [vol]

D3. What was the last grade in school you completed? [CODE TO LIST]

Did not complete High School
High School Diploma or equivalent
Vocational or Trade School
Some college, but no degree
Associates, or other 2 year degree
Bachelor’s Degree
Graduate work, such as Law, MBA, Medical School, or similar
Refused (VOL)

D4. How would you describe your sex? Do you describe yourself as …

A Man
A Woman
Some other way
[DK/REF]

D5. How would you describe your racial and ethnic background? You can pick as many as you’d like.

White
Black
Asian
Hispanic/Latino/a/Spanish
Middle Eastern or North African (MENA)
Other or Multi-Racial
[Dk/Ref]

Release Tables

How concerned are you that extreme weather events, such as floods, will increase the amount of property and infrastructure damage experienced by New Jersey over the next few years – very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned?
	All	Dem	Indp	Rep
Very Concerned	37%	56%	32%	21%
Somewhat Concerned	40%	34%	44%	42%
Not Too Concerned	16%	8%	22%	22%
Not at All Concerned	7%	2%	2%	15%
Don’t Know/Refused	0%	0%	–	–

How concerned are you that extreme weather events, such as floods, will increase the amount of property and infrastructure damage experienced by New Jersey over the next few years – very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not at all concerned?
	All	Men	Women	Own Home	Rent
Very Concerned	37%	35%	39%	39%	35%
Somewhat Concerned	40%	36%	43%	37%	44%
Not Too Concerned	16%	20%	12%	15%	17%
Not at All Concerned	7%	9%	5%	8%	4%
Don’t Know/Refused	0%	–	0%		0%

Should New Jersey state government be doing more, less, or about the same as it is now to protect our buildings, coastlines, water supply, and energy and transportation infrastructure from the damage caused by extreme weather events?
	All	Dem	Indp	Rep
More	66%	78%	63%	53%
Less	5%	3%	9%	6%
About the Same	27%	18%	27%	37%
Don’t Know/Refused	2%	2%	2%	4%

Should New Jersey state government be doing more, less, or about the same as it is now to protect our buildings, coastlines, water supply, and energy and transportation infrastructure from the damage caused by extreme weather events?
	All	18-30	31-44	45-64	65+
More	66%	63%	70%	65%	66%
Less	5%	8%	4%	6%	4%
About the Same	27%	29%	26%	27%	26%
Don’t Know/Refused	2%		1%	2%	5%

Should New Jersey state government be doing more, less, or about the same as it is now to protect our buildings, coastlines, water supply, and energy and transportation infrastructure from the damage caused by extreme weather events?
	All	White	Black	Hisp
More	66%	64%	74%	71%
Less	5%	4%	7%	8%
About the Same	27%	29%	19%	21%
Don’t Know/Refused	2%	3%	–	–

How important is it for New Jersey to invest in projects that will reduce flood risks, strengthen our infrastructure, protect our water supply, and make communities more resilient to extreme weather events – very important, somewhat important, not too important, not at all important?
	All	Dem	Indp	Rep
Very Important	60%	73%	49%	51%
Somewhat Important	33%	24%	42%	38%
Not Too Important	4%	2%	6%	5%
Not at All Important	3%	1%	3%	4%
Don’t Know/Refused	1%	0%	1%	1%

How important is it for New Jersey to invest in projects that will reduce flood risks, strengthen our infrastructure, protect our water supply, and make communities more resilient to extreme weather events – very important, somewhat important, not too important, not at all important?
	All	18-30	31-44	45-64	65+
Very Important	60%	56%	62%	56%	65%
Somewhat Important	33%	35%	32%	37%	28%
Not Too Important	4%	4%	3%	3%	5%
Not at All Important	3%	5%	2%	3%	2%
Don’t Know/Refused	1%	–	1%	1%	1%

Do you support or oppose establishing a three billion dollar ($3 billion) public bond in New Jersey specifically to fund projects that reduce flood risks, strengthen our infrastructure, protect our water supply, and make our communities more resilient. [Do you support/oppose this strongly or only somewhat?]
	All	Dem	Indp	Rep
Strongly Support	36%	49%	33%	23%
Somewhat Support	40%	36%	42%	41%
Total Support	76%	86%	75%	64%
Somewhat Oppose	11%	7%	17%	14%
Strongly Oppose	7%	2%	3%	16%
Total Oppose	18%	9%	20%	30%
Don’t Know/Refused	6%	5%	5%	7%

Do you support or oppose establishing a three billion dollar ($3 billion) public bond in New Jersey specifically to fund projects that reduce flood risks, strengthen our infrastructure, protect our water supply, and make our communities more resilient. [Do you support/oppose this strongly or only somewhat?]
	All	18-30	31-44	45-64	65+
Strongly Support	36%	39%	40%	36%	32%
Somewhat Support	40%	43%	47%	39%	34%
Total Support	76%	82%	87%	75%	66%
Somewhat Oppose	11%	10%	8%	13%	11%
Strongly Oppose	7%	6%	4%	9%	8%
Total Oppose	18%	17%	12%	22%	19%
Don’t Know/Refused	6%	2%	1%	2%	15%

Do you support or oppose establishing a three billion dollar ($3 billion) public bond in New Jersey specifically to fund projects that reduce flood risks, strengthen our infrastructure, protect our water supply, and make our communities more resilient. [Do you support/oppose this strongly or only somewhat?]
	All	Men	Women	Own Home	Rent
Strongly Support	36%	37%	35%	34%	43%
Somewhat Support	40%	37%	43%	36%	46%
Total Support	76%	74%	79%	71%	89%
Somewhat Oppose	11%	13%	9%	12%	7%
Strongly Oppose	7%	10%	5%	9%	3%
Total Oppose	18%	22%	14%	21%	10%
Don’t Know/Refused	6%	4%	7%	8%	1%