Detroit, MI. When registered voters were asked how they would vote today, 5 percent of Republicans in Michigan would vote for Gore while 6 percent of Democrats would vote for Bush, and 12 percent are undecided.

A telephone survey of 700 Michigan households conducted by the Center for Urban Studies between October 15-25, 2000, with the support of the State Policy Center and the College of Urban, Labor and Metropolitan Affairs at Wayne State University (with a margin of error of +/- 3.7 percent) finds that 19 percent of all adults of voting age are as yet undecided on whom they would choose for President, and an additional 8 percent currently would not vote in this election or would vote for one of the other candidates.

Overall, 43 percent report they would vote for Gore and 30 percent for Bush. When asked to identify their political affiliation, 22 percent identify themselves as independent or some other affiliation, and another 21 percent state they do not have a political affiliation or identification. Thirty-six percent of respondents identify themselves as Democrats and 21 percent as Republicans. Therefore, independent and unaffiliated voters hold the balance of the vote in this close election.

Dissatisfaction with the choices offered runs highest in the southeastern portion of the state, with 7 percent of Detroiters and 13 percent in the surrounding counties indicating they would not vote for either candidate. Only 4 percent would not vote for Gore or Bush in the rest of the state.

Gore holds a 42 to 38 percent margin over Bush outside of southeastern Michigan with 17 percent of voters still undecided. The southeastern Michigan region is very split with Gore holding a 70 to 8 percent advantage among Detroiters but only a 38 to 27 percent lead in the counties around Detroit. Sixteen percent of Detroiters and 17 percent of suburban voters are undecided.

Women in Michigan give Gore the nod over Bush 45 percent to 28 percent (with 20 percent undecided), while the male vote is closer at 40 percent for Gore and 33 percent for Bush (with 18 percent still undecided).

Around the state, Stabenow and Abraham are statistically tied with 32 percent supporting Stabenow, 31 percent for Abraham and 30 percent undecided. However, women favor Stabenow 33 percent to 29 percent for Abraham while men give the nod to Abraham 34 percent and 31 percent for Stabenow; 33 percent of women and 27 percent of men remain unsure which candidate they favor.

Proposal 1 has problems with voter awareness. At this late juncture, 34 percent of all adults of voting age still report they are not familiar with Proposal 1 on this ballot. Of those aware, 52 percent are opposed, and 41 percent are in favor of the proposal. In Detroit, only 41 percent of the electorate is aware of the proposal on the ballot, and 47 percent of those are opposed and 45 percent in favor. In the rest of southeast Michigan, the awareness level increases to 54 percent with 46 percent in favor of and 45 percent opposed to the proposal. Statewide outside the southeast Michigan region, 65 percent of all voters are aware of the proposal, and 59 percent would vote in opposition to its passing, and only 36 percent would vote in favor of it.

When asked whether and how they would change their vote if they thought tax dollars would be used for private religious education or programs at religious schools, 24 percent indicated they would be more likely to vote for the proposal while 38 percent would be more likely to vote against the proposal, and 39 percent would need more information before deciding.

For more information about the survey or its contents contact David Fasenfest, Director, Center for Urban Studies, (313) 993-4236 or by e-mail at r_wartner@wayne.edu.