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Washington
Electoral Votes: 11 (no change since 2000)
2000 Results: Gore 50%, Bush 45%, Nader 4%
Recent Polls
Survey USA: Kerry 52%, Bush 45%
(Oct. 15-17; margin of error ± 4.0%)
Population: White 78.9%, Hispanic 7.5%, Asian 5.4%, Black 3.1%, Native American 1.4%
Urban Population: 82%
Rural: 18%
Median Income: $45,776
Unemployment: 6.2%, as of August
Forecast: Close in past years, but seems to be solidly behind Kerry.
Washington is a state politically divided by mountains. West of the Cascade range, Seattle and the surrounding counties are strongly liberal. Seattle's King County voted for Gore 60%-34%. In the wheat fields and arid country east of the Mountains, conservatives hold sway. Benton County in the southeastern corner voted 64%-33% for Bush. In recent elections, the Democrats have been winning, going for a Democratic governor, two senators and Al Gore. The tough economic years in the tech sector will not help Bush with Seattle voters either. Through the summer and September, Kerry has held a 5-10% advantage in the polls. In October, both campaigns stopped advertising. Kerry should run away with it.
Counties to Watch: Whatcom, Clark, Cowlitz, Kitsap, Mason, Skagit
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