California Poll for 2016 Democratic Primary Has Hilllary Clinton, Bernie Sanders Neck-and-Neck - Will the Results Matter?
With less than a week remaining before voters go to the polls, Hillary Clinton is leading Bernie Sanders among likely voters in California by just two points in their much anticipated June 7, showdown.
A new NBC/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll shows Clinton at 49 percent to Sanders 47 percent, findings that are within the survey's statistical margin of error.
In fact, among a wider electorate of all potential Democratic voters Sanders actually tops Clinton 48 percent to 47 percent.
Clinton Still Holds Sizeable Delegate Lead
The two candidates running even in California would have little effect on the overall delegate equation, which Clinton leads by nearly 300 pledged delegates and 770 overall. A tied race in California would result in the two evenly splitting the state's 475 pledged delegates.
If, however, Sanders manages to eke out a victory in one of the country' most diverse states it could emboldened him to remain in the race up until next month's Democratic convention.
"Obviously, if we don't do well in California, it will make our path much, much harder. No question about it," Sanders recently reflected on "Meet the Press." "But I think we have a good chance to win in California, maybe win big, and maybe win four or five of the other states that [hold races] on June 7."
Clinton's Base
Pollsters found Clinton topping Sanders among voters ages 45 and older (63 percent to 33 percent), self-identified Democrats (57 percent to 40 percent), women (54 percent to 41 percent), past Democratic voters (53 percent to 42 percent) and whites (51 percent to 46 percent).
Meanwhile, Sanders leads among Latinos (49 percent to 46 percent), first-time voters (72 percent to 28 percent), independents (68 percent to 26 percent), those younger than 45 (66 percent to 30 percent) and men (54 percent to 43 percent).
"As throughout the primary season, age is the story in this California tossup," says Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. "Sanders inspires younger or first-time voters, and Clinton relies upon those who are older or have participated in the past."
Clinton recently bagged the endorsement of California Gov. Jerry Brown, a development campaign leaders that could carry big dividends come election day.
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