PROVIDENCE — Worries about the economy overwhelmingly topped the list of Rhode Islanders’ concerns in a recent poll conducted for Rhode Island College’s Bureau of Government Research and Services. Second on the list was concern about the state budget, the college reported.

The poll, conducted by Utah-based Opinion Factor Inc., was open-ended. Five hundred randomly selected registered voters were asked to identify the “single biggest issue facing Rhode Island right now.” The poll had a margin of error of 4 percent.

Thirty-three percent of those polled rated the economy as the dominant issue, followed by 17 percent who named the state budget. “Government” ranked third, with 8 percent. “Gas prices and energy issues” and taxes tied for fourth, with 6 percent each. The environment, roads and unions were each named by 1 percent of respondents.

Asked about their preference in the presidential campaign, 53 percent of respondents named Democrat Barack Obama, with Republican John McCain a distant second, at 25 percent.

Survey director Victor Profughi said: “Rhode Island College is the longest continuous public opinion laboratory in the state. We are delighted that one of the nation’s finest survey field organizations, Opinion Factor, has joined with us in this study.”

The poll was conducted between June 18 and June 27, while the General Assembly was debating the state budget.