Whitman, Brown in Dead Heat? Two Polls, Early Voting Returns Say Yes.

Surveys conducted by Hill Research Consultants and McLaughlin & Associates.  In a survey conducted on October 26 and 27, the race for the CA governorship is tied 43-43% with 4% voting third party and 10% undecided.

In a second survey by McLaughlin and Associates, from October 25-27, Whitman leads 44-43% withn 6% third-party and the remainder undecided.

In early voting returns, a McLaughlin survey on 10/28 showed 25% of polled voters already voting by absentee.  Whitman leads among these voters 43-40%.  Another 27% stated they would vote by mail Friday and Saturday; Whitman leads among these 48% to 43%.  Among those voting on Election Day, it is a virtual tie at 43% Whitman and 45% Brown.

I will post the hard-copy of the methodology when  I get to a scanner later today.