MADISON, N.J. -- A total of 63% of New Jersey voters said that they support the New Jersey law that requires a gas station attendant to pump their gasoline, according to the most recent statewide poll by Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind; 23% say they oppose it, and 14% say they are not sure or they have mixed views.
The question: "In New Jersey, as you know, you can't pump your own gas, the gas station must pump it for you. Do you support or oppose this rule?"
"Clearly, this is an aspect of life in the Garden State that Jerseyans have embraced," said Peter Woolley, a political scientist and director of the poll.
There are no differences by age. The majority opinion is consistent from the very youngest drivers to the very oldest.
Women, however, are significantly more likely to support the rule than men. Female support is very strong at 72% to 15%, while men support it by 55% to 31%.
"I don't call it pampering until I go to Pennsylvania and try to figure out how the pump works," said Woolley.
But there are some political undercurrents. Self-described conservatives support the rule by 55%-29%, while liberals approve by the much more robust margin of 70% to 21%. Republicans approve by a hardy 61% to 25%, but Democrats by a hardier 72% to 19%.
"Some voters think the regulation is government interference," said Woolley. "Others think it's sensible and convenient."
New Jerseyis not unique in this respect. Oregon also forbids customers to pump gasoline.
"We'll run the question again in summer, when it's not snowing or pouring rain, and it's not too hot either," said Woolley. "Perhaps then drivers will be more inclined to get out of the car to work the pump themselves."
Last March, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said he would not support legislation for self-service gasoline because most residents do not want it (see Related Content below for previousCSP Daily News coverage).
The Fairleigh Dickinson University poll of 800 registered voters statewide was conducted by telephone using both landlines and cell phones from January 2 through January 8, 2012, and has a margin of error of +/-3.5 percentage points.
PublicMind interviews are conducted by Opinion America, Cedar Knolls, N.J.
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