Poll: Romney pulls even with Obama in Wisconsin

WLUK TV

Updated: Oct 17, 2012 2:52 PM

MILWAUKEE — The latest Marquette University Law School poll shows a big turnaround in the presidential race in Wisconsin.

The poll finds President Barack Obama has 49 percent support, and Romney 48 percent support among likely voters. The results are within the poll's margin of error.

Click here for the full poll results

Two weeks ago, the president held an 11-point lead. That was before the first presidential debate. Researchers say the first debate had an impact on poll numbers.  Among likely voters who watched the first debate, Romney has a 50 to 48 percent advantage. Among those who did not watch the debate, Obama leads 50 to 42 percent.

"Rarely has a debate produced such a large movement in the polls. In September, President Obama held a steady lead, but now the race is a pure tossup, in large measure because of the first debate," said Marquette Law School Poll Director Charles Franklin. "The remaining three weeks of the campaign, including reaction to the final debates, will tip the balance to one candidate or the other."

The poll of 870 voters was conducted October 11-14, before Tuesday night's debate between Obama and Romney.

Wisconsin's 10 electoral votes are in play as the candidates attempt to notch the 270 electoral votes it takes to win the presidency. Observers generally agree Obama and Romney are fighting over about 110 electoral votes up for grabs.

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