Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton are virtually tied as they fight for the support of Iowa caucus-goers with less than a week before they vote, according to a new poll.
Helped by younger voters, liberals and men, Sanders earned 49 percent of support compared to Clinton’s 45 percent in a new Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday. Though the numbers are nearly the same as the survey released two weeks prior, a Fox News poll released Tuesday had found Clinton ahead by six points.
Meanwhile, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley took in 4 percent, and 2 percent said they are still undecided.
The Vermont senator’s lead over Clinton is largely thanks to leads among those identifying as very liberal (63 percent to 32 percent), those under the age of 45 (78 percent to 21 percent) and men (63 percent to 32 percent).
Clinton’s support comes from those who identified as somewhat liberal (53 percent to 40 percent), those 45 and older (53 percent to 39 percent among the 45-64 group and 71 percent to 21 percent among the 65-and-up group) and among women (54 percent to 40 percent).
Moderates and conservatives likely to participate in the Democratic caucus were split between the two, as 47 percent chose Clinton and 46 percent chose Sanders.
Overall, 81 percent of those surveyed said they had made up their minds which candidate they plan to support come caucus day on Feb. 1, and the rest said they might still change their mind.
While two-in-three (67 percent) said they had already participated in a caucus before, 33 percent said that this year would be their first time. Of that minority, 72 percent said they will be supporting Sanders, compared to just 26 percent who said they will opt for Clinton. Of those who have caucused before, more than half (54 percent) choose Clinton, while 38 percent plan to vote for Sanders.
The telephone poll of 606 likely Democratic caucus-goers was conducted Jan. 18-24 and carries a margin of error is plus or minus four percentage points.
