Forty-eight percent of 801 registered voters who participated in the poll said they would support McAuliffe, while 43 percent would elect Youngkin.

The recent results came out as early voting is underway in the most competitive political race this year, according to experts.

McAuliffe was a governor of Virginia from 2014 to 2018. His most significant base of support remains in the northern region of that state, where 58 percent of residents are expected to vote for him.

Youngkin, who leads the western and central region of Virginia, lost popularity among voters because he opposed legal abortion and strict measures, such as mandatory vaccinations, to help contain the state’s Covid-19 pandemic.

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