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Harris Poll Finds Bush Making Progress Among Likely Voters With Disabilities
September 29, 2004PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Brewster Thackeray, 202/955-6327
Email Brewster Thackeray
Race is Tight; Level of Support for Republican Unusual from this Voting Bloc
Washington, DC-A poll conducted by Harris Interactive® this month finds President George W. Bush with a narrow lead over Senator John F. Kerry among Americans with disabilities who are likely to vote in November's election. This finding marks a dramatic shift in support among this voting bloc, which has historically supported the Democratic candidate in every election since Harris Interactive first measured it in 1988. N.O.D. estimates that there are 40 million voting-aged U.S. citizens with disabilities. Harris found 41 percent (or roughly 16 million) voted in 2000.
Among U.S. adults with disabilities who are likely voters, 48 percent said they were either likely to vote for, or leaning toward voting for President Bush, while 46 percent said the same for Sen. Kerry. Three percent favored Ralph Nader.
“This finding indicates a shift compared to polls from past years and even from last month, when Harris Interactive found Kerry leading 50 to 40 percent among likely voters with disabilities,” said N.O.D. President Alan Reich. “In 2000, Harris found 56 percent of voters with disabilities voted for Al Gore and 38 percent for George Bush. If the numbers from this latest survey hold up, it would represent a notable shift from the 2000 vote. However, Bush's lead is within a margin of error. If either side reaches out to disability voters, or champions issues important to this voting bloc, that investment could still reap significant rewards. Neither side can take these voters for granted. Each has a challenge to connect with our community.”
The voting survey did not identify the reasons likely voters with disabilities favor Bush in contrast to those who do not have disabilities (in this poll the latter favored Kerry, by 50 to 45 percent). Other recent polls have noted a trend of greater than expected support for Bush from women.
This poll result is part of a larger disability survey project studying voter preferences, issues of concern, and barriers to voting during this election season. This survey project has been made possible by a grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York.
The National Organization on Disability, founded in 1982, promotes the full and equal participation and contribution of America's 54 million men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. N.O.D. is a nonpartisan organization. For more information visit the NOD Website.
Harris Interactive is a global research firm that blends premier strategic consulting with innovative and efficient methods of investigation, analysis and application. Well known for The Harris Poll ® and for pioneering Internet-based research methods, Rochester, New York-based Harris Interactive conducts proprietary and public research to help its clients around the world achieve clear, material and enduring results.
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