by Andie Diemer
Nov. 4, 2008

Around 5 p.m. the first results from the nationwide exit polls were released. Sixty-two percent of those polled said the economy was the mots important issue. Ten percent of respondent said Iraq was the most important issue, 9 percent said terrorism and 9 percent said health care.

The National Election Pool was sponsored by ABC, AP, CBS, CNN, FOX News and NBC News. All answers are confidential and voters were asked to check only one respones for each question. There were different versions of the poll as well.

One survey asked about the respondent’s gender, race, age, party affiliation, total family income and more.

Here is an example of some of the questions on the exit poll:

No matter how you voted today, do you usually think of yourself as a:

• Democrat
• Republican
• Independent
• Something else

Compared to four years ago, is your family’s financial situation:

• Better today
• Worse today
• About the same

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Congress is handling its job?

• Strongly approve
• Somewhat approve
• Somewhat disapprove
• Strongly disapprove

Do you support or oppose the $700 billion government plan to assist failing financial companies?

• Strongly support
• Somewhat support
• Somewhat oppose
• Strongly oppose

In the next few years, do you think race relations in this country will:

• Get much better
• Get somewhat better
• Stay about the same
• Get somewhat worse
• Get much worse

In deciding your vote for president, were future appointments to the Supreme Court:

• The single most important factor
• One of several important factors
• A minor factor
• Not a factor at all

Do you favor or oppose drilling for oil offshore in U.S. waters where it is currently not allowed?

• Strongly favor
• Somewhat favor
• Somewhat oppose
• Strongly oppose

How worried are you that there will be another major terrorist attack in the U.S.?

• Very worried
• Somewhat worried
• Not too worried
• Not at all worried

Do you or your spouse have any investments in the stock market, including mutual funds or retirement plans?

• Yes
• No