Poll: McGinn and Mallahan in statistical dead heat (Updated)

Seattle mayoral candiates Joe Mallahan and Mike McGinn at the KING5 debate (KING5)

More information on the latest KING5/Survey USA poll , which shows Seasttle Mayoral candidates Joe Mallahan and Mike McGinn on the eve of election day.

The political site Publicola reported this morning the margin between the two were within the poll’s margin of error. And indeed, according to Survey USA poll posted Tuesday night, Mallahan has the support of 45 percent of respondents and McGinn has 43 percent support. A significant percentage of voters, 12 percent, are still undecided.The margin of error was 4.1 percent.

If so, McGinn has made up ground at the end, probably among undecided voters. Recent polls by Survey USA and the University of Washington showed Mallahan leading, but with many voters undecided.

According to the Survey USA poll, McGinn's refinement of his viaduct stance hasn’t made a difference.

McGinn said he'd abide by the vote of legislator and council members to replace the viaduct with a tunnel, but will continue to ask tough questions about the project, particularly who should pay for cost overruns.

The poll said 22 percent said they were less likely to vote for McGinn because of the change. Even though Mallahan‘s television ads have focused on McGinn‘s switch, only  22 percent of respondents said they were less likely to vote for McGinn because of it. And 54 percent said it made not difference.

This despite the fact the viaduct seems to be an important factor for voters. The poll said 75 percent said the tunnel was a very or somewhat important issue.

advertisement

Self-serve advertising

Add our easy-to-use advertising system to any Web site. Free!

InstiAds.com

Power Neighborhood News

A free community news blogging service designed for independent news organizations

neighborlogs.com

Mallahan holds a slight edge among those who supported Nickels in the primary, but many are undecided.

Theories abound about why McGinn may have made up ground at the end of the election If McGinn’s switch did not play much of a factor:

It could be that voters are concerned about the provision in the state spending bill, which says Seattle would have to pay for overruns.

McGinn has also pushed the idea of style, noting he's held numerous town hall meetings and is accessbile to the press, while Mallahan has been far less visible.

Mallahan also has gone negative in the last few days, attacking McGinn's viaduct stance on TV. If that played a role, it would be ironic. Mallahan said after finishing in the top two in the primary that voters reacted against incumbent Mayor Greg Nickels' shots against him in the final days of that election.