Jewish Vote Seen Split Almost Evenly Between Reagan and Carter

The Jewish vote in last night’s Presidential elections was virtually split evenly between Ronald Reagan and President Carter, according to the Coalition for Reagan-Bush, the Jewish organization set up lost summer in support of the Republican candidates.

“The best national estimates of the Jewish vote showed the Reagan support at approximately 45 percent, about equal to Carter’s percentage with (independent candidate John) Anderson taking an estimated 10 percent of the Jewish vote,” the Coalition said in a statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. In the nationwide popular vote, Reagan received 50 percent, Carter 43 percent and Anderson about six percent.

The Jewish voter contributed to Reagan’s victory at on “historically high level in most of the key states,” the Coalition said. These included Michigan, California, New York, New Jersey, Florida, Ohio, Illinois and Pennsylvania it said that Carter is “the first Democratic President to get less than 50 percent of the Jewish vote.” He received 75 percent in 1976.

SOME RANDOM SAMPLINGS

According to “some random samplings,” the Coalition reported, ABC’s survey of voters leaving polling booths showed Jewish support for Reagan at 70 percent in California and 56 percent in Michigan. The Miami Herald, it said, reported 60 percent of the Jewish vote in Dode County, Fla. for Reagan. “NBC projected New Jersey’s Jewish vote at 42 percent for Reagan. Other estimates varied within that range,” the Coalition reported.

It added, “ABC projected almost an even split between Reagan and Carter nationwide with a higher Jewish vote in New York for Reagan than for Carter. The New York figures are 37 percent for Carter, 42 percent for Reagan and 20 percent for Anderson.”

The Coalition stated that “Many political experts have determined that the Jewish voter now represents a swing constituency. It is apparent from the strength of the Reagan vote that substantial support from the American Jewish community is now available to Republican candidates who make a determined effort to address the issues of concern to them, “the Coalition said.