Obama Takes Modest Lead Over Romney According To Final Polls

President Barack Obama has regained a small lead over Republican challenger Mitt Romney in the latest Pew Research Center election poll. Obama is leading Romney by three points nationwide. This is the final poll Pew will take before tomorrow’s election. The President’s lead is still within the margin of error essentially, leaving the candidates tied heading into the election.

The Pew Poll, released Sunday, shows Obama leading 50 percent to 45 percent among likely voters. The poll divided the 3 percent of undecided voters between the two candidates. Pew divides undecided voters between the candidates based on internal calculation models.

The poll also found that, among voters who have already cast their ballots, the President is leading Romney 48 percent to 46 percent.

Over the course of the last month, the Pew poll showed Obama trailing Romney after the first debate and, for the last two weeks, the candidates were tied.

Among men and voters older than 65, Romney continues to hold a solid lead. Polling has shown that, among seniors, Romney’s lead has slipped by ten points over the last week, largely due to Hurricane Sandy. Obama leads by 13 percent among women, regaining the lead after polling showed the two candidates tied last week. Obama also regained a lead over self-described moderates and in the Northeast, which took the brunt of the storm last week.

Pew’s latest poll marks the first published since Hurricane Sandy slammed into the Northeast leaving more than 100 dead and millions without power and causing more than $50 billion dollars worth of damage. The poll showed that more than 70 percent of the country approved of the way President Obama handled the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

The most encouraging news for President Obama is the enthusiasm of his supporters. Eighty percent of Obama’s supporters say they are voting for him as opposed to voting against Romney. Only 60 percent of Romney’s supporters said they were voting for Romney and not against Obama.

An analyst from Pew said:

“In past elections, dating to 1960, the candidate with the higher percentage of strong support has usually gone on to win the popular vote … And far more registered voters expect an Obama victory than a Romney victory on Nov. 6 (52% vs. 30%).”

Who do you think is going to wind up prevailing on Election Day?