Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research

No Problems In Florida, Election Seen As Fair

November 07, 2004

Credit:Flag courtesy of ITA’s Flags of All Countries used with permission.

Abstract: (CPOD) Nov. 7, 2004 - Most people in Florida are satisfied with the electoral system in the United States, according to a poll by SurveyUSA released by WFLA-TV. 54 per cent of respondents say the process is fundamentally sound, while 43 per cent believe it is flawed.

(CPOD) Nov. 7, 2004 - Most people in Florida are satisfied with the electoral system in the United States, according to a poll by SurveyUSA released by WFLA-TV. 54 per cent of respondents say the process is fundamentally sound, while 43 per cent believe it is flawed.

In the United States, the president and vice-president are elected in a single ticket to a four-year term by an Electoral College, whose members represent each state of the union with a previously determined number of electoral votes, in accordance with the results of the popular vote in each state.

This week, Republican incumbent George W. Bush earned a second term after securing 286 electoral votes from 31 states, including Florida. Candidates require 270 votes in the Electoral College to win the White House. 67 per cent of respondents say Democratic nominee John Kerry was right to concede the race.

Florida's 25 electoral votes decided the 2000 presidential election, after weeks of recounts and court injunctions concluded in a 537-vote victory for Bush over Democrat Al Gore. 68 per cent of respondents believe Bush won the 2004 election fairly.

Polling Data

If you had to pick, would you say the process by which American elects a president is fundamentally sound, or fundamentally flawed?

Fundamentally sound

54%

Fundamentally flawed

43%

Not sure

3%

John Kerry has acknowledged that president Bush has been re-elected. Did John Kerry do the right thing by conceding the race, or should Kerry have fought on?

Right to concede

67%

Should have fought

29%

Not sure

3%

Which of the following two statements is more true: George W. Bush won the election fair and square, or George W. Bush was elected on a technicality?

Fair and square

68%

Technicality

29%

Not sure

3%

Source: SurveyUSA / WFLA-TV
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 700 adults in Florida, conducted on Nov. 3, 2004. Margin of error is 3.8 per cent.