Survey of State Legislators Relationship with their Districts, 2008

The Survey of State Legislators Relationship with their Districts, 2008 collection represents data from state legislators within states that passed an initiative or referendum on same-sex marriage and who responded to a fall 2008 mail survey. The legislators were surveyed about information they use to make decisions (including measures of trustee and delegate styles), how much time they and their staff spend on different tasks, how they try to stay in contact with their constituents (communication methods and social media use), as well as their perceptions of their constituents issue positions. Data were also collected about the district population demographics and ideologies. Additional information was collected about the legislators' previous positions, previous election, and their ambitions regarding whether they aspired to hold a similar office or otherwise. Demographic information included in this collection are sex, year born, and political ideology.