Voters are split on whether spouses of Bermudians should be able to own multiple properties on the Island, according to a recent poll.The Mindmaps poll revealed that residents are similarly divided on the issue of term limits for work permit holders.According to the results of the recent poll of 402 voters, public opinion on both matters is divided by race black people are more likely to support existing policies, while white people are more likely to believe the legislation should be changed.The spouse of a Bermudian can currently own only one residence on the Island.Forty-five percent of people surveyed believed that legislation that prevents the spouses of Bermudians from owning more than one property should be changed. Forty-four percent of voters felt the legislation should remain the same.Meanwhile, 48 percent of those surveyed said legislation that limits work permit holders to six years in Bermuda should be abolished; 42 percent felt the term limits should remain in effect.Seventy percent of white people polled said they would support the abolition of term limits; 34 percent of black people said they would support such a change.Meanwhile 32 percent of black people questioned said they would support changes to home-owning legislation, as opposed to 62 percent of white people.Shadow Attorney General Trevor Moniz said that he felt some Bermudians were protective of the land-ownership legislation because without it, they feel it would be more difficult for them to buy land.“I generally feel that some people haven’t quite caught up to the change in the economy,” he said. “It’s no longer a situation where it’s hard to find a house.“We are in a very deep recession, and it’s a buyer’s market. There was a time when it was difficult to find a home, but that has really changed.”Noting that voters surveyed between the ages of 18 and 34 were more likely to be against changes to the legislation, Mr Moniz said: “I think younger people who hope to buy a home are concerned they won’t be able to.“The older people, they are more likely to have a home, and they are fed up with what they see as unnecessary bureaucracy.“We have to catch up to the reality of the situation.”Asked for his opinion on the disparity between black and white responses, Mr Moniz said: “I have a feeling it’s more to do with people who are more for the market, people who believe that a market can operate independently, and those who are more protective and believe that the Government needs to regulate more to make sure everything is fair.”The Opposition MP said that Government needed to focus on what is best for the economy and for Bermudians.It was also important that Government look at the current situation and not rely on policies created before the recession, he said.“They just have to adjust to the new reality, that we have to kick-start the economy and get people buying and selling property and get people jobs.”Ronnie Viera, who has spoken out against the land holding legislation said it has affected more people than most of the community realise.“I think the Government’s concern and policy over non-Bermudian land ownership is inconsistent given the recent SDO, which they so firmly supported, and yet the rights of a Bermudian with a non-Bermudian spouse are restricted,” Mr Viera said.“I remain hopeful that with new Ministers in place, that it will be reviewed and changed.”Former National Security Minister David Burch said in March that Government is in the process of reviewing land holding and immigration legislation.