Here Are The Results of SurveyUSA Election Poll #10801

Geography Surveyed: South Carolina
Data Collected: 11/02/2006 - 11/04/2006
Release Date: 11/05/2006 11:40 AM ET
Sponsors: WCSC-TV Charleston, WLTX-TV Columbia, SC

Republican Sanford Re-Elected Governor of South Carolina: In an election for Governor of South Carolina today, 11/5/06, 48 hours till polls close, incumbent Republican Mark Sanford defeats Democrat challenger Tommy Moore, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for WCSC-TV Charleston and WLTX-TV Columbia. At the highest level, the contest is stable: Sanford had led by 15 points on 2 weeks ago, leads by 17 points today. But, of note: the number of likely voters who say they are a Democrat is down to 26% in today's likely voter pool, from 38% and 34% in SurveyUSA's two most recent polls. The number of South Carolina likely voters who say today they are Independent is up from 15% and 17% in two most recent SurveyUSA polls to 21% today. As a result, Moore appears to be gaining ground among Independents, but this is more likely a phenomenon of some South Carolina Democrats now preferring to call themselves Independents. The number of likely voters who identify themselves as Republicans is 50% in today's poll, up from 44% and 45% in SurveyUSA's two most recent tracks.

Republican Bauer Re-Elected Lt Governor: In an Election for Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina today, 11/5/06, incumbent Republican Andre Bauer defeats Democrat Robert Barber. Compared to an identical SurveyUSA tracking poll released 10/17, Bauer is up 4, Barber is down 5. Bauer had led by 4, now leads by 13.

Republican Ravenel Elected Treasurer: In an election for Treasurer of South Carolina today, 11/5, Republican Thomas Ravenel defeats incumbent Democrat Grady Patterson. The contest is slightly tighter than it was in SurveyUSA's most recent tracking poll on 10/17. Then, Ravenel led by 16 points, today he leads by 10. The number of Republicans who cross-over to vote Democrat is up to 20%. Patterson was first elected in 1966.

Democrat Rex Chases Republican Floyd in Superintendent's Race: In an election for Superintendent of Education in South Carolina today, 11/5, Republican Karen Floyd appears to hang on to defeat Democrat Jim Rex, but momentum is with Rex as the campaign closes. Compared to an identical SurveyUSA tracking poll on 10/17, Floyd is flat at 50%. Rex is up from 36% then to 42% today. Floyd had led by 15, now leads by 8. Females have moved sharply to the Democrat. Rex had trailed by 3, now leads by 8 among women. Among the most educated voters, Rex had led by 2 points, now leads by 15 points.

Filtering: 900 South Carolina registered voters, chosen using Registration Based Sample from Aristotle International, were interviewed 11/2/06 through 11/4/06. Of them, 485 were judged to be "likely" voters for Governor. 477 were judged to be "likely" voters for Lieutenant Governor. 479 were judged to be "likely" voters for Treasurer. 480 were judged to be "likely" voters for Superintendent of Education. Crosstabs reflect Likely Voters.