60% Of Voters Feel 2004 Presidential Election Winner Could Be Illegitimate

[Nbadan]

In a dangerous sign for American democracy....

Almost half of registered voters are very or somewhat concerned that vote fraud and problems counting ballots will mean the winner of the Nov. 2 U.S. presidential election won't be legitimate, a Time magazine poll found. Fifteen percent of 1,059 registered voters surveyed Oct. 19- 21 said they are ``very worried'' the election won't produce the legitimate winner, and 33 percent are ``somewhat worried.'' Sixty percent are very or somewhat worried officials in other parts of the country will try to manipulate the vote counts. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Fifty-six percent said the U.S. Cons ution should be changed to do away with the Electoral College and award the presidency to the candidate who wins the popular vote. The tally in the Electoral College now determines who wins. These votes are apportioned among the states based on congressional representation.

Sixty-five percent said the election's outcome will make a ``great deal of difference'' to the well being of the U.S. over the next four years, and 70 percent said it would have a ``major negative impact'' on the country if their candidate loses.

By a margin of 47 percent to 41 percent, voters said the country has become more divided over the past four years, and 57 percent said the media deserve ``a lot'' of the blame. Forty- seven percent said Bush deserves a lot of the blame and 27 percent blame Congress.

Bloomberg