The U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Mitch McConnell and Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes has been a narrow campaign based on poll figures, and the latest survey by WKU Social Science Research Center proved no different.

The poll surveyed 601 registered Kentucky voters, and McConnell secured a 4.8 percent lead against Grimes. The margin of error, however, is 4 percentage points, and it could tip in favor of Grimes.

With the option of Libertarian candidate David Patterson, McConnell secured 45.1 percent of the poll among registered voters. Grimes followed with 40.03 percent while Patterson received 5.41 percent. More respondents were undecided than favored Patterson as 9.46 percent were not sure which candidate to vote for come Election Day on Nov. 4.

With likely voters, McConnell's lead slightly decreased but held onto the lead. McConnell received 45.4 percent of the vote from likely voters, while Grimes improved her figures to 41.7 percent. Patterson saw a decline to 5.3 percent. The rate of undecided voters also declined from 9.46 percent of registered voters to 7.6 percent of likely voters.

"A fascinating element of this campaign is the strong evidence of protest support among the candidates. Respondents were asked if they were voting for the candidate of their choice because they supported that candidate or opposed the opposition. Stark differences between the candidates emerged here," WKU Social Science Research Center Director Dr. Joel Turner said.

Based on the survey, 62 percent favored McConnell because they simply support the senator, but 60 percent supporting Grimes said their vote is an opposition to the Republican incumbent.

Independent voters narrowly supported McConnell with 39 percent, while Grimes received 35 percent. McConnell also won the male voters with 55 percent to Grimes' 33 percent. Grimes easily won the female vote with 55 percent while McConnell received 33 percent.

The popularity of President Barack Obama in Kentucky could influence people at the voting booths. Kentuckians participating in the WKU Social Science Research Center poll gave Obama a 30 percent approval rating, while 65 percent showed disapproval. Respondents who disapproved Obama's job performance are 63 percent more likely to vote for McConnell. Respondents who favored Obama are 84 percent more likely to vote for Grimes.

Despite McConnell's small lead over Grimes, Kentuckians showed "strong dissatisfaction" toward Congress. Respondents gave Congress a 14 percent approval rating, while 80 percent disapproved.

The likeability factor provided mixed results for McConnell. While he received a higher favorable rating than Grimes with 44 percent to 38 percent, McConnell also received a higher unfavorable rating with 51 percent to 47 percent for Grimes, who also serves as Kentucky's secretary of state.

"Perhaps most surprising was that 15 [percent] of respondents indicated that they did not have enough information to make an evaluation of Grimes," Turner said. "This suggests that Grimes still has work to do introducing herself to voters, or perhaps that the McConnell camp has been successful in their attempts to define who she is."

The WKU Social Science Research Center poll was conducted between Oct. 6 and Oct. 19.

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