"As long as it's close, they are both trying to play out the clock and not make a horrible blunder, which could torpedo them," Jowers said. "As we see in sports, sometimes when you go into that mode, you end up harming yourself because something has to get the people motivated to vote."

Motivating voters means spending money, Jowers said, and Gill has a lot more money in his war chest to get him through the last month of the election. According to recent financial reports filed with the county, Gill has approximately $30,099 left in his campaign fund, while Miller has $1,699.

Throughout the campaign, Miller has raised $94,338, while Gill has total contributions of $116,613.

Other races for Salt Lake County elected positions aren't nearly as close, with incumbents holding commanding leads, according to the poll.

Approximately 62 percent of those polled supported the re-election of Republican County Sheriff Aaron Kennard, with 32 percent backing Democrat Jim Winder. County Clerk Sherrie Swensen, a Democrat, also has widespread support, with 60 percent of those surveyed supporting her. Republican Carrie Dickson trails with 25 percent.

Incumbent County Coun- cilman Jim Bradley is up 10 points over former Taylorsville Mayor Janice Auger for the at-large seat on the County Council. Bradley, a Democrat, has served as both a member of the council and as a commissioner in Salt Lake County's old form of government, while Auger served as Taylorsville's mayor for eight years.

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E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com