This document contains the results of a survey conducted by Voice Omaha, a non-partisan group dedicated to creating a more just, sustainable and culturally vibrant city. The survey asked attendees at a Voice Omaha meeting about their demographics, priorities and views on issues facing the city. Key findings include: access to mental healthcare and sustainability/recycling were seen as the top two issues. Engagement and community involvement were the most important values of Voice Omaha. After the meeting, 45% felt Voice has potential to impact the city's future while 43% were still unsure of its goals.

1. Voice Omaha
June 24, 2009
VOICE

2. Voice Omaha
Voice is a non-partisan group dedicated
to creating a more inclusive, just,
transparent, sustainable and culturally
vibrant Omaha by actively supporting
leaders, policies and projects that
advance this vision.
VOICE

3. “Do you understand what VOICE is?”
44%
1. I’m into it
2. I’m confused,
but I like it 27%
3. I think I’m into
it 19%
4. I have no idea
what VOICE is 9%
5. Where’s the 1%
bathroom? 1 2 3 4 5
VOICE

4. How did you hear about VOICE?
50%
1. I’m still on Jim Esch’s
campaign mailing list
2. Newspaper
3. Twitter
4. Friend
5. Facebook
6. Slowdown Newsletter 17%
7. Dude, I thought there 15%
was a show tonight
7%
8. Other 3%
4% 4%
1%
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
VOICE

5. How do you identify yourself?
1. African 83%
American
2. Native American
3. Caucasian, non-
Latino
4. Caucasian,
Latino
5. Asian 6%
1%
3% 2%
5%
6. Other 1 2 3 4 5 6
VOICE

6. What is your gender?
1. Female 53%
2. Male 46%
3. Transgender
1%
1 2 3
VOICE

7. What is your age?
1. 21-29
50%
2. 30-39
3. 40-49
4. 50-60 26%
5. 60-69
14%
6. 70+
6%
3%
1%
1 2 3 4 5 6
VOICE

8. What is your marital status?
1. Single 38%
2. In a relationship 32%
3. In a relationship,
but still open
4. Married 18%
5. Divorced
6. Domestic 4%
5%
Partner/Civil 3%
Union 1 2 3 4 5 6
VOICE

9. What is your sexual orientation?
85%
1. Gay
2. Straight
3. Bisexual
4. Queer
5% 8%
2%
1 2 3 4
VOICE

10. Do you have children?
1. Yes 70%
2. No
30%
1 2
VOICE

11. How did you get to Omaha?
43%
1. I’m a Native
Omahan
32%
2. Boomerang
25%
3. Transplant
1 2 3
VOICE

12. What is your combined annual family
income level?
1. I’m a poor college 24%
student 22%
2. I’m poor, not a
college student 16%
3. $10,000-25,000 13% 13%
4. $26,000-$40,000
5. $41,000-$60,000 7%
6. $61,000-$80,000 5%
7. $81,000-$100,000 2%
8. $100,000+ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
VOICE

13. What is your political affiliation?
67%
1. Republican
2. Democrat
3. Independent
4. Green
5. Other
17%
6% 6%
4%
1 2 3 4 5
VOICE

14. Who did you vote for in the last
Presidential election?
1. Barack Obama 94%
2. John McCain
3. Other
4. Didn’t vote for
either
3% 1% 2%
1 2 3 4
VOICE

15. Who did you vote for in Omaha’s last
mayoral election?
1. Jim Suttle 71%
2. Hal Daub
3. Other
4. Didn’t vote for
either
19%
8%
2%
1 2 3 4
VOICE

16. Why did you attend this evening’s
meeting?
77%
1. I want to be
engaged in the
future of our city
2. I am looking for a
hook up
3. I didn’t have
anything better to
do
18%
4. I am spying to see
what the “other
side” is up to 2% 1% 2%
5. I am just curious 1 2 3 4 5
about VOICE
VOICE

17. How do you feel about the future of
Omaha?
1. Super Excited 52%
2. Cautiously
Optimistic
3. I just live here
4. I’m moving 23%
ASAP 16%
5. Indifferent 2%
5%
3%
6. A little cynical 1 2 3 4 5 6
VOICE

18. Roundtable Discussion #1
What are the two biggest issues
facing the City of Omaha?
VOICE

19. Roundtable Discussion #2
What are two action steps that
can be taken to impact these
issues?
VOICE

20. Biggest Issues facing the City of Omaha
(Select 2)
1. Access to mental health care 45%
2. Sustainability/
recycling 39%
3. Social injustice/racial and
economic disparity
4. Lack of city funding and
transparency
23%
5. Inequitable access to
education 19%
6. Poor public transportation
17% 17%
7. Reaching a collective
community vision
11%
10%
8%
8. Coordination and cooperation 7%
of public and private partners
9. Lack of institutional innovation
and community engagement
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
10. Urban/economic development
and smart urban growth
VOICE

21. Voice Omaha – VALUES (Most Important)
1. Engagement and 28% 28%
Community
Involvement
2. Transparency
3. Equal Opportunity 15% 15%
and Social Mobility
4. Advocacy for Arts 8%
and Culture 5%
5. Sustainability
6. Smart Urban
Development 1 2 3 4 5 6
VOICE

22. After tonight’s meeting, what do you think about VOICE
and its potential to impact the future of Omaha?
45% 43%
1. You have no
idea what you’re
doing
2. Nice try
3. This could really
go somewhere 10%
4. When’s the next
1% 1%
meeting
5. A little cynical
1 2 3 4 5
VOICE

23. Voice Omaha
Thank You!
voiceomaha.org
VOICE