November 15, 2004

Abstract: (CPOD) Nov. 15, 2004 - Voters in the United States were aware of the proposals of both main presidential contenders in 2004, according to a poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates for the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. 86 per cent of respondents say they learned enough about the candidates to make an informed choice, an 11 per cent increase from the 1996 election.

(CPOD) Nov. 15, 2004 - Voters in the United States were aware of the proposals of both main presidential contenders in 2004, according to a poll by Princeton Survey Research Associates for the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. 86 per cent of respondents say they learned enough about the candidates to make an informed choice, an 11 per cent increase from the 1996 election.

In American elections, candidates require 270 votes in the Electoral College to win the White House. Earlier this month, Republican incumbent George W. Bush earned a second term after securing 286 electoral votes from 31 states.

Bush and Democratic nominee John Kerry participated in three presidential debates during the campaign. The first meeting took place on Sept. 30 at the University of Miami in Florida. The second debate—a town hall meeting where undecided voters asked the questions—was held on Oct. 8 at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

The third and final meeting between Bush and Kerry took place on Oct. 13 at Arizona State University. 62 per cent of respondents say the presidential debates were helpful in deciding which candidate to vote for, a 21 per cent increase from the 1996 election.

Polling Data

During this campaign, did you feel you learned enough about the candidates and the issues to make an informed choice between Bush and Kerry, or did you find it difficult to choose because you felt you did not learn enough from the campaign?

	2004	2000	1996
Learned enough to make an informed choice	86%	83%	75%
Did not learn enough from the campaign	13%	15%	23%
Don't know / Refused	1%	2%	2%

How helpful were the presidential debates to you in deciding which candidate to vote for? Would you say they were very helpful, somewhat helpful, not too helpful, or not at all helpful?

	2004	2000	1996
Very helpful	24%	25%	13%
Somewhat helpful	38%	37%	28%
Not too helpful	14%	14%	23%
Not at all helpful	19%	16%	25%
Did not watch the debates	4%	7%	10%
Don't know / Refused	1%	1%	1%

Source: Princeton Survey Research Associates / Pew Research Center for the People and the Press
Methodology: Telephone re-interviews to 1,209 Americans who voted in the 2004 election, conducted from Nov. 5 to Nov. 8, 2004. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.