PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Democratic mayoral candidate David Cicilline holds a substantial lead over his general election opponents, according to a survey conducted by researchers at Brown University. The poll also inquired about people's views about minority relations, discrimination, and political power in Providence. Both African-Americans and Latino voters say that they have too little political power in the capital city.

The survey was conducted September 14 to 22, 2002 at Brown University by Darrell M. West, director of the Taubman Center for Public Policy and the John Hazen White, Sr. Public Opinion Laboratory, and Marion Orr, associate professor of political science, urban studies, and public policy. It is based on a citywide random sample of 688 residents. The poll was designed to measure candidate support in the general election and people's views about minority relations in Providence. Interviews were conducted either in English or Spanish, depending on whether there were non-English speakers in the household. Overall, the poll had a margin of error of about plus or minus four percentage points.

The survey was completed in conjunction with the Taubman Center's Thomas J. Anton/Frederick Lippitt conference "The Future of Providence" that will be held September 26-27. Mayor Martin O'Malley of Baltimore will deliver the keynote address at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, September 26 in Sayles Hall on the Campus Green. A panel of experts will discuss urban issues at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 27 in Sayles Hall and at noon that day in Sayles Hall, there will be a mayoral debate featuring David Cicilline, Greg Gerritt, Dave Talan, and Christopher Young. All conference events are free and open to the public.

In the race for mayor, 70 percent of the 506 likely general election voters say they plan to vote for Democrat Cicilline, 4 percent say they plan to vote for Republican Dave Talan, 2 percent favor Green party candidate Greg Gerritt, 1 percent support independent Christopher Young, and 23 percent are undecided. Cicilline's support is strong across racial lines. While 71 percent of whites say they favor him, he also draws support from 83 percent of African-Americans and 81 percent of Latino and Hispanic voters.

With Providence becoming a city that has a majority of minority residents, according to the U.S. Census, the survey asked a range of questions involving minority relations, especially between whites, African-Americans, and Latinos. Both African-American and Latino residents feel that they have too little political power in Providence. Seventy-seven percent of African-Americans feel they have too little power, while 57 percent of Latinos feel that way. Nine percent of whites feel that whites have too little political power in Providence.

Overall, 42 percent feel that opportunities for minorities are getting better, while 25 percent feel opportunities are staying the same, 13 percent believe they are getting worse, and 20 percent are undecided. However, minorities themselves are less optimistic. Among African-Americans, 36 percent say minority opportunities are getting better, while among Latinos, 42 percent feel opportunities are getting better. Forty-eight percent of whites feel minority opportunities are improving.

Twenty-three percent of whites believe that minorities face a lot of discrimination in Providence. However, 45 percent of African-Americans report minorities encounter a lot of discrimination and 39 percent of Latinos say minorities face a lot of discrimination.

There are differing views about electoral cooperation between African-Americans and Latinos to elect particular candidates. Sixty-two percent of African-Americans feel there should be a lot of cooperation, 59 percent of Latinos feel that way, and 39 percent of whites believe there should be a lot of electoral cooperation.

On issues such as affirmative action and bilingual education, there are substantial differences by group. For example on affirmative action, 46 percent of whites favor affirmative action efforts to hire minority employees, compared to 68 percent of African-Americans and 80 percent of Latinos. Eighty-nine percent of Latinos think Providence public schools should offer bilingual education for those who do not speak English, compared to 57 percent of whites and 76 percent of African-Americans.

In looking at age, education, and income by group, Latinos are the youngest and poorest within the city, and have the lowest educational attainment. For example, while 15 percent of white households make less than $20,000 a year, 34 percent of Latinos and 23 percent of African-Americans earn under $20,000. Latinos also are the group having the highest percentage of first generation families. Twenty-three percent of Latinos say their family has lived in the United States for only one generation, compared to 8 percent of African-Americans and 7 percent of whites who say they have lived here just for one generation.

Acting Mayor John Lombardi's performance is rated excellent or good by 26 percent, while 18 percent say it is only fair, 5 percent rate it poor, and 51 percent are undecided.

For more information, see the report at www.InsidePolitics.org or contact Darrell M. West at (401) 863-1163 or Marion Orr at (401) 863-9436.

(506 likely voters only) If the election for mayor of Providence were held today, would you vote for: 1) Democrat David Cicilline 2) Green party Greg Gerritt, 3) Republican Dave Talan, or 4) independent Christopher Young 8) don't know 9) no answer

How would you rate the job John Lombardi is doing as mayor of Providence? 1) excellent 2) good 3) only fair 4) poor 8) don't know 9) no answer

Do you think that African-Americans in Providence have: 1) too little, 2) the right amount, or 3) too much political power? 8) don't know 9) no answer

Do you think that Latinos in Providence have: 1) too little, 2) the right amount, or 3) too much political power? 8) don't know 9) no answer

Do you think that whites in Providence have: 1) too little, 2) the right amount, or 3) too much political power? 8) don't know 9) no answer

Are the opportunities for minorities in Providence: 1) getting worse 2) staying the same or 3) getting better? 8) don't know 9) no answer

In thinking about your local community, do you believe that minorities are: 1) easy or 2) hard to get along with? 8) don't know 9) no answer

How much discrimination do minority populations face in Providence: 1) only a little 2) some or 3) a lot? 8) don't know 9) no answer

How would you feel about having a close relative or family member marry a minority? 1) not favorable 2) somewhat favorable 3) very favorable? 8) don't know 9) no answer

At election time, how much cooperation do you think there should be between African-Americans and Latinos to elect particular candidates? 1) a little 2) some or 3) a lot? 8) don't know 9) no answer

How much cooperation do you think there should be between African-Americans and Latinos to achieve public policy objectives? 1) a little 2) some 3) a lot? 8) don't know 9) no answer

How much cooperation do you think there should be between African-Americans and Latinos to get government jobs for their members? 1) a little 2) some 3) a lot? 8) don't know 9) no answer

We would like to know something about the feelings you have toward various groups. Have minorities in Providence ever made you feel angry? 1) rarely 2) sometimes or 3) often? 8) don't know 9) no answer

Have whites in Providence ever made you feel angry? 1) rarely 2) sometimes or 3) often? 8) don't know 9) no answer

Have minorities in Providence ever made you feel afraid? 1) rarely 2) sometimes or 3) often? 8) don't know 9) no answer

Have whites in Providence ever made you feel afraid? 1) rarely 2) sometimes or 3) often? 8) don't know 9) no answer

The Providence school superintendent recently left to take a job in another city. Do you think the next superintendent of Providence public schools should be: 1) white 2) African-American or 3) Latino? 8) don't know 9) no answer

Do you think the city of Providence should use affirmative action efforts to hire minority employees? 1) yes 2) no 8) don't know 9) no answer

Do you think Providence public schools should offer bilingual education for those who do not speak English? 1) yes 2) no 8) don't know 9) no answer

Do you think the government should offer Spanish-language election ballots for Latinos who do not speak English? 1) yes 2) no 8) don't know 9) no answer

Would you characterize your overall political beliefs as: 1) liberal 2) moderate or 3) conservative? 8) don't know 9) no answer

Regardless of how you vote, do you usually consider yourself a: 1) Democrat 2) Independent 3) Republican, or 4) something else? 8) don't know 9) no answer

Which of the following age group are you in? 1) 18-24 2) 25-34 3) 35-44 4) 45-54 5) 55-64 6) 65 or older 9) no answer

Including yourself, how many generations has your family lived in the United States? 1) first generation 2) second 3) third 4) fourth 5) fifth or more 8) don't know 9) no answer

What is the latest grade of school you completed: 1) some high school or less 2) high school graduate 3) some college 4) college graduate 5) post-graduate work 8) don't know 9) no answer

Does your annual household income fall within: 1) $0-20,000 2) $20,001-40,000 3) $40,001-60,000 4) $60,001-80,000 5) 80,001-100,000 or 6) over $100,000? 8) don't know 9) no answer