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While the national polls remain close, Democrat
challenger John Kerry can be certain of one thing –
that he will carry his home state of Massachusetts
comfortably. That’s according to the latest poll
released this morning by Miskatonic University. It
shows the Democrat holding a commanding lead of 55% to
34% over the President.

However, turning away from national politics the poll
also reveals some close local races, particularly in
the northeast of the state in the University’s
backyard, where Republicans and Democrats seem to be
evenly matched this year. Unsurprisingly the Democrats
have the edge in the college town of Arkham, but the
Republicans appear to be doing better than normal in
the wooded outlying areas of the Miskatonic valley.
Thus with votes apparently evenly tied, the deciding
factor may well be unexpected turnout levels in less
obvious parts of the state – and speculation over this
is causing no little controversy.

Republicans allege dirty tricks on the part of the
Democrats – in particular that the voter rolls are
swollen with the names of dead people. A common charge
by Republicans nationwide against Democrat-run
districts, but one which Arkham County Democratic
Chair Herb West dismisses as “shameful lies and
untruths.” West was pulling no punches in his reply
either, alleging that the GOP was making the
accusations to cover for their own dubious voter
registration results:

“When you look at their numbers, you just know
something’s not right,” said West, “I mean take the
supposed new voters they have registered in Innsmouth.
The numbers there do not add up. Everyone knows the
place is half deserted, yet these figures purportedly
show 8, 9 or even 10 voters to a house. Even in those
old buildings by the wharf! It just doesn’t add up.”

Republican spokesman N. P. Marsh stood by the numbers
and stated that demographic trends within the
Innsmouth area were behind the strong voter
registration drive. He also claimed that Republicans
were making strong progress with Innsmouth’s church
communities on the back of President Bush’s Faith
Based Initiative.

Whether this will be enough to overcome the Democrats’
traditional strength in this corner of New England
remains to be seen. What is clear is that
half-forgotten coastal backwaters like Innsmouth are
now having a real say in government as politicians
scramble for every last vote – something which can
only be a good thing for democracy.