Michigan, Florida Democrats reject splitting delegates evenly, SaveTheVoters.org poll finds

Widespread support exists among Michigan and Florida Democrats for counting early primary results or holding new primary contests in presidential election

Natick, Mass. -- April 24, 2008 -- A new poll commissioned by SaveTheVoters.org and conducted by Public Policy Polling provides compelling new evidence that Michigan and Florida Democratic voters want to be included in the process of allocating their state’s delegates in this year's presidential election. The poll was conducted April 18-20, 2008 and included 1,020 Democratic voters (51% Michigan, 49% Florida) with a margin of error of ± 3.1% overall (4.3% in the Michigan subset, 4.4% in the Florida subset). The poll is part of a new non-partisan, non-profit initiative seeking to empower disenfranchised Florida and Michigan primary voters by giving them a voice in the debate over how to seat their delegates.




Among the poll's major findings are the following:

• Voters in both states do not support evenly-splitting their delegates; 82% of Florida Democrats and 77% of Michigan primary voters support seating delegates on the basis of the early primary results or using a new primary over an evenly-split delegation. Even among supporters of Barack Obama (who would benefit from an even split), only 42% favored this option.

• A significant majority (58%) of Florida Democrats support seating delegates based on early primary results; more Michigan primary voters support this option than any other individual option.

• 62% of Florida democrats and 53% of Michigan democrats support the appeal before the DNC Rules & Bylaw committee seeking restoration of 50% of Florida's delegation to be seated on the basis of early primary results.

• Voters overwhelmingly support new primaries if it is the only way to have their votes counted toward the allocation of their state’s delegates. Over 75% of voters, regardless of state or candidate supported, would support a new primary if funded by a third party.

• There is considerable local pressure on state politicians to act to support new primaries; 63% of voters, regardless of state or candidate supported, would vote against a politician who deliberately acted to prevent a new primary.

• There is considerable pressure on the DNC to allocate these state delegations based on the will of the people of these two states. Over 28% of Democratic voters will vote for Republican John McCain or a third party candidate in the general presidential election if the DNC does not allocate delegates on the basis of their votes, an effect that is consistent no matter whether Hillary Clinton or Obama is the eventual nominee.

To review full results and analysis of the poll of Michigan and Florida Democrats, please select from the following options:

1) Top line summary for overall cohort.
2) Top line summary for Florida cohort only.
3) Top line summary for Michigan cohort only.
4) Selected cross-tabulations of the cohort.
5) Powerpoint slideshow reviewing major conclusions.
6) Download image files of figures from powerpoint slideshow. A.S. Achrol, Co-founder and President of SaveTheVoters.org, commented on the poll results: "In this year's presidential election we have the historic opportunity to bring more people than ever before into the democratic process, but we must act to ensure that no voter is deliberately denied access to the voting booth. The results of this poll clearly demonstrate a strong desire among Democrats in Michigan and Florida to be a part of the process of deciding how their delegates should be allocated. There are millions of American voters in Michigan and Florida whose individual and collective voices should be included in our democracy, not silenced or dissuaded from civic engagement. The Democrats have run on a platform of changing Washington and increasing accountability, but accountability in Washington starts with accountability to the voter.”

Anuj Goyal, Director of Internet Strategy and Marketing of SaveTheVoters.org, commented on the results: “Surprisingly, more voters in both Michigan and Florida support seating the delegations according to the early primary results. At the same time, over 75% of voters, regardless of state or candidate support, would support a new primary if funded by a third party. The ramifications of denying these voters a chance to participate in the process of allocating their state delegates is clear; 63% of voters will vote against incumbent local politicians who deliberately act to prevent new primaries. This means it is highly likely this issue will be revisited in subsequent local elections if it remains an unresolved source of tension among the electorate. Furthermore, over 28% of Democratic voters in Michigan and Florida report that, if their vote is not counted, they intend to vote for Republican John McCain or a third party candidate no matter who the Democratic nominee eventually is. There is little doubt that the DNC and local democratic politicians have chosen a dangerous path of inaction rather than working toward enfranchising these constituents.”

A. Joseph Rao, Co-Founder and COO of SaveTheVoters.org, agreed: "Not only could excluding these voters alter the eventual result of the nomination process and thus the perceived mandate of the eventual nominee, but this level of frustration among Democratic constituents in these two key battleground states would seem to offer an electoral college advantage to the Republicans in the general election. It’s clear that the DNC needs to work more aggressively toward enfranchising these voters, if not because it is what the voters themselves are clearly calling for, then because it will likely cost the DNC the general election."

“One thing is certain,” said Achrol, “regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or candidate they support, voters in both states have clearly rejected seating the delegations split evenly as an option. It is clear from this poll that should the DNC proceed with this solution, it would do so against the will of the people.”

The Democratic Party, as of now, has elected not to allow voters in Michigan and Florida to vote in an election that would determine how their state’s delegates will be seated at the Democratic National Convention. This was done as punishment for the decision to hold primaries in these states on an early date that violated party rules. This struggle between appointed party leaders and local politicians in Florida and Michigan has led to the disenfranchisement of millions of voters in a nationwide presidential campaign. Until now, no independent, non-partisan group had stepped forward to represent the disenfranchised voter, and therefore it had been left to the individual candidates to debate what they would prefer to see happen. SaveTheVoters.org is giving the voters of Florida and Michigan a voice by funding detailed voter research and analyses, working with leading experts to conduct scientific studies that report what the voters themselves want, removing from the conversation the speculation and spin that are currently being used to excuse inaction. SaveTheVoters.org is solely supported by contributions from individuals who want to empower themselves and other by standing up for democracy. . About SaveTheVoters.org

SaveTheVoters.org is a non-profit organization whose overall goal is to ensure implementation of fair, accurate, transparent, and secure elections that are accessible to all Americans and reflect the true will of the people. SaveTheVoters.org works to:
· conduct detailed community-driven research to ensure citizen voices are heard and heeded,
· develop educational materials to promote civic empowerment and encourage informed and active participation in government, and
· engage in advocacy relating to the protection of democratic principles and the sanctity and integrity of our elections.

Contacts
For questions about the poll:
Tom Jensen, Public Policy Polling 919-744-6312

All other:
A.S. Achrol, Co-founder and President
A. Joseph Rao, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer
Anuj Goyal, Director of Internet Strategy and Marketing



(For press inquiries, please include “Press Inquiry” in the subject).

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