Border reform is No. 1 issue

Poll indicates third of voters put priority on immigration

Mary Jo Pitzl
The Arizona Republic
Jan. 25, 2007 12:00 AM

Do something to curb illegal immigration. That's the most important thing Arizona lawmakers can do this session, voters say in a new poll.

Immigration was clearly the top choice of voters, mentioned by 33 percent of those contacted by the Cronkite/Eight Poll.

Education, specifically improving classroom quality and teacher salaries, ranked second, identified as a priority by 20 percent.

Transportation issues finished a distant third, at 5 percent.

"Registered voters in Arizona are sending the Legislature a clear message," said Professor Bruce Merrill, who directs the poll from Arizona State University, in a news release. "They want something done about illegal immigration, education and transportation."

Voters were asked to identify the one issue they would like to see the Legislature try to do something about in 2007.