Marist Poll Has Presidential Election in Virtual tie

Just a day before the presidential election, a new Marist poll has the candidates in a virtual tie.

The latest McClatchy-Marist Poll of likely voters, including undecided, has Democrat Hillary Clinton edging Republican Donald Trump 44% to 43%. The previous McClatchy-Marist Poll had Clinton ahead of Trump by six points, 45% to 39%.

“Although Clinton and Trump are separated by the slimmest of margins, the Electoral College can present a very different picture,” Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion stated. “Close popular votes can, but do not necessarily, translate into tight battles for 270 electoral votes.”

Among those polled who have already voted, Clinton leads Trump 50% to 42%. However, Trump tops Clinton by two points among those who haven’t voted.

Among likely white voters without a college degree, Trump has a 30-point lead, 57% to 27%. However, likely white voters with college degrees side with Clinton over Trump, 50% to 40%.

While a gender gap does still exist, Clinton’s lead among woman has declined, according to the poll. Clinton has a 48% to 37% lead among women, down 23 points from the previous poll. Trump has a 50% to 38% lead over Clinton among men voters.

No matter who wins the White House, the poll found that 59% of adults nationally think the country is moving in the wrong direction.

Just a day before the presidential election, a new Marist poll has the candidates in a virtual tie.