September 28, 2004

Abstract: (CPOD) Sept. 28, 2004 - John Kerry is the frontrunner in the state of Illinois, according to a poll by Market Shares Corp. released by the Chicago Tribune and WGN-TV. 49 per cent of respondents would vote for the Democratic nominee in the 2004 United States presidential election, while 40 per cent would support Republican incumbent George W. Bush.

(CPOD) Sept. 28, 2004 - John Kerry is the frontrunner in the state of Illinois, according to a poll by Market Shares Corp. released by the Chicago Tribune and WGN-TV. 49 per cent of respondents would vote for the Democratic nominee in the 2004 United States presidential election, while 40 per cent would support Republican incumbent George W. Bush.

One per cent of respondents would vote for other contenders, and 10 per cent are undecided. Independent candidate Ralph Nader will not be included in the Illinois ballot.

Support for Kerry dropped by three per cent since August, while backing for Bush increased by two per cent. In May, the Democrat held a 16 per cent lead over the Republican. The election is scheduled for Nov. 2.

The state's 22 electoral votes went to Democrat Al Gore in the 2000 election, with 55 per cent of the vote. No Republican has carried Illinois since George H. Bush in 1988.

Polling Data

What candidate would you vote for in the 2004 U.S. presidential election?

	Sept. 2004	Aug. 2004	May 2004
John Kerry (D)	49%	52%	53%
George W. Bush (R)	40%	38%	37%
Other candidates	1%	4%	4%
Undecided	10%	5%	6%

Source: Market Shares Corp. / The Chicago Tribune / WGN-TV
Methodology: Interviews to 700 registered Illinois voters, conducted from Sept. 17 to Sept. 20, 2004. Margin of error is 4 per cent.