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Even if it seems the campaign season has been going on forever, Utah voters are still very excited about the election, and they and will vote in near-record numbers in less than two months.
Pollster Dan Jones, "Yes, it's off the charts, and it tickles me to death. I look for an 80 percent turnout of likely voters!"
A new KSL-TV Deseret News Poll comparing the head-to-head contests in Utah. This is our first poll since all the primary contests were settled, and it gives us an early look at who Utah voters are leaning toward. The poll was conducted by Dan Jones and Associates this week —- Sept. 8 through the 11.
There were 601 registered Utah voters who participated in the survey, and the bottom line, at least with 53 days to go before Election Day, is that the Republican-to-Democrat makeup in the state and congressional races will not change. But pollster Dan Jones loves that fact that people are really energized this year! "I look for the election to be one of the more exciting we've had since the '90s," he said.
Looking at the three congressional contests, Utah voters were asked how they would vote if the election were held today. Sixty-two percent would choose incumbent Rob Bishop; 21 percent would vote for challenger Morgan Bowen.
In the 2nd District, incumbent Jim Matheson has a big lead over challenger Bill Dew, 62 to 27 percent.
Utah's 3rd District does not have an incumbent since Chris Cannon was defeated in the primary, but the seat looks like it'll remain Republican. Jason Chaffetz has a 60 to 18 percent lead over Bennion Spencer.
In the two high-profile state races, Jon Huntsman Jr. appears headed back to the governor's office with a 77 to 13 percent lead over challenger Bob Springmeyer; and in the attorney general's race incumbent Mark Shurtleff gets 61 percent while Jean Welch Hill has 16 percent support.
Dan Jones will conduct additional polls as Election Day gets closer to see how the races tighten up.
E-mail: kmccord@ksl.com
