Here Are The Results of SurveyUSA Election Poll #10204

Geography Surveyed: Michigan
Data Collected: 09/15/2006 - 09/17/2006
Release Date: 09/18/2006 11:15 AM ET
Sponsors: WDIO-TV Duluth, WDIV-TV Detroit, WZZM-TV Grand Rapids

DeVos, Granholm Still Tied at 47% in MI Governor Race: In an election for Governor of Michigan today, 9/18/06, incumbent Democrat Jennifer Granholm and Republican challenger Dick DeVos tie at 47%, according to an exclusive SurveyUSA poll conducted for WDIV-TV Detroit, WZZM-TV Grand Rapids and WDIO-TV Duluth - identical to the results of a SurveyUSA poll released 8/22/06. Granholm leads by 8 points among women. DeVos leads by 8 points among men. This 16-point "gender gap" has narrowed from a 28-point gap 4 weeks ago. DeVos leads by 12 points among white voters. Granholm leads by 65 points among black voters. Republicans support DeVos 23:1. Democrats support Granholm 8:1. Independents favor Granholm 5:4. Granholm leads 2:1 in Wayne County. DeVos leads in other regions of Michigan. The tracking poll data is most notable for the absence of movement. There is remarkable consistency across many Demographic groups from one month ago to today. The election is in 7 weeks, on 11/7/06.

Stabenow Increases Lead Over Bouchard: In an election for United States Senate in Michigan today, 9/18/06, incumbent Democrat Debbie Stabenow defeats Republican challenger Mike Bouchard by 13 points, according to an exclusive SurveyUSA poll conducted for WDIV-TV Detroit, WZZM-TV Grand Rapids and WDIO-TV Duluth. 7 weeks to the 11/7/06 election, Stabenow gets 54%, up 3 points since an identical SurveyUSA tracking poll released 8/22/06. Bouchard gets 41%, down 1 point. Stabenow had led by 9, now leads by 13. Stabenow leads by 89 points among Democrats. Bouchard leads by 80 points among Republicans. The movement is concentrated among Independent voters, who now support Stabenow by 21. 4 weeks ago, Bouchard led by 3 among Independents, a 24-point swing to the Democrat. Stabenow leads by 23 points among women and by 3 points among men, a 20-point "gender gap." 84% of those who approve of President Bush's job performance vote for the Republican Bouchard. 79% of those who disapprove of Bush vote for the Democrat Stabenow. President George W. Bush's approval rating among Michigan likely voters is 34%.

Cox Edges Williams For Attorney General: In an election for Attorney General in Michigan today, 9/18/06, incumbent Republican Mike Cox defeats Democrat challenger Amos Williams by 8 points, according to an exclusive SurveyUSA poll conducted for WDIO-TV Duluth, WZZM-TV Grand Rapids and WDIV-TV Detroit. 7 weeks to the 11/7/06 election, Cox gets 49%. Williams gets 41%. Cox leads by 16 points among men and by 1 point among women. Williams leads by 4 in Wayne County. Cox leads in the rest of Michigan. 94% of Republicans back the Republican. 80% of Democrats back the Democrat. The Republican leads 5:3 among Independents. Cox leads by 20 among the most affluent. Williams leads by 4 among the least affluent.

Voters Unfamiliar With Civil Rights Initiative: Most Michigan voters today, 9/18/06, are unfamiliar with the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, which will be on the November ballot. Of those respondents qualified by SurveyUSA as likely voters in the Governor and U.S. Senate contests, 60% say they are not familiar with the Civil Rights initiative and are not included in the table below. Only responses from those familiar with the initiative are tabulated. Of those likely voters familiar with the Initiative, 33% vote "Yes" today, 32% vote "No," 35% are undecided. In the past 4 weeks, "Yes" has dropped 7 points and "Undecided" has risen 7 points. "No" is unchanged at 32%. No conclusions may be drawn as to whether the initiative will pass or fail. The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative would amend the state constitution to prohibit state universities and all other state entities from discriminating against or granting preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. The exact ballot language was not read to poll respondents.

Filtering: 1,200 Michigan adults were interviewed 9/15/06 - 9/17/06. Of them, 1,094 were registered to vote. Of them, 749 were judged to be "likely voters" for Governor and U.S. Senator. 296 Likely Voters were familiar with the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. Only those familiar with the Initiative were asked how they would vote on the question. Crosstabs reflect Likely Voters.