This special topic poll, fielded January 4-7, 2004, was undertaken to assess respondents' views on economic conditions and government performance in the state of Maryland. Residents of Maryland were asked for their opinions on the job performance of Governor Bob Ehrlich and the condition of the Maryland economy. Those polled were asked what they believed the biggest problem facing Maryland was today, who they trusted to do a better job coping with the problems the state faced, and what Governor Ehrlich's biggest accomplishment in his first year was. Respondents were queried on whether they felt Senator Barbara Mikulski deserved to be re-elected in the year's United States Senate election, which political party they were leaning toward, whom they would vote for in the 2004 Democratic presidential primary, whether they voted in the 2002 Maryland gubernatorial election, and whom they voted for (Bob Ehrlich or Kathleen Kennedy Townsend). Further questions queried what steps respondents would find acceptable to deal with the state's budget shortfall and what kind of tax increase would be the best if the legislature decided to raise taxes to balance the budget. Additional questions focused on whether respondents would favor allowing slot-machine gambling at horse-racing tracks or other places in Maryland, whether they would favor legalizing casino gambling in Maryland, and whether they would play if there were slot machines in Maryland. Opinions were also solicited on corruption in state government and a state law that would allow gay and lesbian couples to enter into civil unions, giving them some of the legal rights of married couples. Background variables include political orientation, education, ethnicity, household income, and whether the respondent was registered to vote.