Chris Christie Maintains Huge Lead in New Survey [POLL/AUDIO]

NEW JERSEY 101.5

New Jersey residents likely to vote in tomorrow's elections look as though they're ready to give Gov. Chris Christie another term.

In today's Monmouth University poll, Christie enjoys a 57 percent to 37 percent lead over state Sen. Barbara Buono. The Governor's margin is down from 24 points three weeks ago, but is similar to the 19 to 20 point leads in prior Monmouth University polls since August.

The incumbent can claim the support of 92 percent of Republicans, 61 percent of independents, and even 23 percent of Democrats. Voter turnout will be a key issue in the final margin of victory because tomorrow's election comes just three weeks after the special election for U.S. Senate.

Among likely voters, who say they voted in the special election, Christie holds a 54 percent to 39 percent lead over Buono. Among those who waited until this week's election to cast their fall ballots, though, Christie's lead is even bigger at 64 percent to 32 percent.

"The partisan difference in turnout between the two elections should help boost the governor's winning margin on Tuesday," said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute. "The issue really is among Independents. Barbara Buono never gave Independents anything to hang their hat on that said, 'A Barbara Buono governorship would be better than the one they've got now.'"

Christie has gotten major kudos from many for his handling of Superstorm Sandy and he's used that to his advantage throughout the campaign. It appears to have been a strong strategy. The Governor holds a gigantic 65 percent to 28 percent lead among voters in New Jersey's four shore counties.

Among those who specifically live in communities throughout the state that were hardest hit by Sandy, Christie's lead is 60 percent to 35 percent. The shore counties historically lean Republican.

"Gov. Christie is doing well in communities hit hard by Sandy, but perhaps not as well as the significant underlying Republican tilt of these towns would suggest," said Murray. "He's doing okay even in the Sandy hit areas that have been complaining about the pace of the aid that they've been getting."

Less than half (49 percent) of likely voters say that this year's gubernatorial campaign has a done a good job talking about the most important issues facing New Jersey today. Another 33 percent feel it has done a bad job and 17 percent aren't sure.

If Christie is re-elected on tomorrow, most voters are either very confident (26 percent) or somewhat confident (32 percent) that he'll fix the state's biggest problems in his second term. About 4-in-10 voters are not too confident (19 percent) or not at all confident (20 percent) that he will accomplish this.

The survey conducted by telephone from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, 2013 with 1,436 New Jersey voters likely to vote in the November general election. This sample has a margin of error of + 2.6 percent.