The Elon University Poll, conducted Sept. 24 through 27, found that North Carolina citizens are almost evenly divided on which political party to support in the 2008 presidential election.

Thirty-eight percent of respondents said they plan to support the Democratic Party in the 2008 presidential election, while 34 percent of respondents plan to support the Republican Party.

For those planning to vote for the Democratic Party, Hillary Clinton led the candidates with 37 percent of respondents naming her their current top choice. Sens. John Edwards and Barack Obama filed in behind Clinton, each holding 18 percent.

For those planning to vote for the Republican Party, Fred Thompson led the candidates with 28 percent of respondents favoring him. Rudy Giuliani followed with 21 percent and John McCain captured 12 percent.

“Hillary Clinton has a striking lead over both John Edwards and Barack Obama among North Carolinians,” said Hunter Bacot, director of the Elon University Poll in an Elon press release. “This is noteworthy given that this is Edwards home state.”

The poll also gauged support for North Carolina Senator Elizabeth Dole. The Elon Poll is the first private pollster to gauge Senator Dole’s level of support.

According to the results, half of the respondents approved of the way Senator Dole handles her job. Twenty-four percent disapproved or strongly disapproved of her performance.

“At this point, with the election one year away, it is worth noting her lack of support,” Bacot said. “Particularly considering she is the incumbent and unopposed.”

The Elon Poll is unique among polling institutions because it does not use contract work from outside sources. The leaders of the poll decide on the issues they will survey. They rely on the participation of students to conduct the telephone poll.

Bacot said 600-700 students are involved with the poll each year. A public relations student from the School of Communication writes the press release that is distributed to North Carolina and national media regarding the Elon Poll’s findings.

Bacot said that working the poll offers students real-world experience while providing a service for the community.

Usually one poll each year is offered to an Alamance County business free of charge. The university is constantly telling students to be a part of the town of Elon and Bacot said that polling is a way to show the university’s engagement in the community.

The next Elon Poll, which takes place Nov.12 through 15, will be regional, judging the opinions of people in Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina weeks before the primaries.

Reporter & News Editor: Camille Demere & Olivia Hubert-Allen - 10/03/07