Kathy Stewart, wtop.com
WASHINGTON – A new poll shows the majority of Virginians are undecided in their choice for November’s governor race.
Forty-one percent of the 583 respondents said they were undecided on whether they’d vote for Republican Ken Cuccinelli and Democrat Terry McAuliffe. The Institute for Policy and Opinion Research at Roanoke College conducted the poll between Jan. 14 and Jan. 22 with 4.1 percent margin of error.
Thirty-three percent said they support Republican Ken Cuccinelli and 26 percent said they support Democrat Terry McAuliffe.
“Essentially people don’t know about these candidates,” says Harry Wilson, director for the institute.
According to Wilson, the presidential election has left voters fatigued.
“Where everyone in the Commonwealth was, by my definition, assaulted by people on both sides. Many have been too battered after the presidential election to care right now about who is running for governor this November.”
He says he doesn’t remember when they’ve done a poll for an election and had 40 percent undecided.
“That’s a phenomenally high number. I’m surprised that it’s that high even when we gave them the party identification.”
The race is still wide open, says Wilson. Adding that voters have until November to learn about candidates.
“In politics, that is an eternity.”
The full results of the poll can be read here.
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