Poll: Religion crucial to casting votes

(RNS) Nearly two-thirds of American voters say their religious beliefs will be an important factor when it comes time to cast their votes for president next year, according to a new Gallup Poll.

Sixty-four percent of registered voters say their "personal religious beliefs and faith" will help shape their vote for president, while 36 percent say it will not.

Pollsters detected a "gender gap" between women and men - 44 percent of women said faith would be extremely or very important, compared to only 33 percent of men.

Albert Winseman, religion and values editor for Gallup's Tuesday Briefing report, said the gap presents opportunities and challenges for both parties.

"The challenge for the Democratic candidate - whoever that may be - will be to make a real connection between personal faith and public life, something that most of the Democratic candidates have not yet done," he said.

President Bush, who has been open about his evangelical Christian faith, may have an advantage in areas that are traditional Republican territory - rural areas and suburbs. Only 30 percent of urban voters said religion will dictate their votes, compared to 41 percent of suburban voters and 46 percent of rural voters.

"There are more registered voters in suburban areas than in rural or urban ones, elevating the importance of 'soccer moms' (and dads) whose faith is important to them as a key constituency for both Republicans and Democrats," Winseman said.

The poll of 867 registered voters has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.