How the Poll Was Conducted

The Times Orange County poll was conducted Oct. 22 through 24 by Mark Baldassare & Associates. The telephone survey of 600 Orange County registered voters was conducted on weekday nights using a computer-generated random sample of telephone numbers.

For a sample of this size, the margin of error is plus or minus 4%. For the subgroup of likely voters, the margin is plus or minus 5%.

Sampling error is just one type of error that can affect opinion polls. Results also can be affected by question wording, survey timing and other variables.

All responses were anonymous, but some people agreed to be re-interviewed later for a news story.