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 registered voters was conducted on weekday nights using a computer-generated random sample of Orange County telephone numbers.

For a sample of this size, the margin of error is plus-or-minus 4%.

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 agreed to be re-interviewed later for a news story.