Both campaigns have been tainted by allegations of illegal campaign contributions, with Miller taking the brunt of the heat for allegedly receiving coerced third-hand contributions. After a short preliminary investigation, a team of prosecutors from the offices of the district attorney and Utah Attorney General said Miller didn't break the law. Gill was criticized for not listing both occupation and employer on his financial contribution reports, a violation of county ordinance.

Even so, the race is still just as close as it was before the allegations.

"I don't think anybody could say this is what I expected, it's all pure speculation," Gill said. "I think this is going to be decided right into Tuesday, people are paying attention and they are going to make a decision now on who has the experience and who is going to be ethical and responsible in running this office."

Miller was unavailable for comment Friday.

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

County Councilman Jim Bradley, a Democrat, widened the gap against Republican Janice Auger in the race for an at-large seat on the County Council. Bradley is up 12 points against the former Taylorsville mayor.

The poll numbers for the county clerk's race mirrors the numbers from one month ago, with County Clerk Sherrie Swensen holding a commanding 34 percent lead. Approximately 60 percent of those polled support Swensen, a Democrat, with 26 percent backing Republican Carrie Dickson.

Republican county recorder Gary Ott is up 15 points over Democrat Leslie Reberg. Ott pulled in 48 percent of the vote in the poll, while 22 percent backed Reberg.

All three ballot propositions also will likely pass, according to the poll.

Proposition 1 would allow the county to bond for $65 million to accelerate the construction and renovation of county recreational facilities. It is not a tax increase. Approximately 65 percent of those polled said they would support the measure.

Approximately 74 percent of those polled are willing to pay higher property taxes to pay for open space efforts. Proposition 2 is a property tax increase that would raise $48 million to buy land for open space, regional parks and trails. If approved, property taxes on a $200,000 home would go up $9 a year.

Proposition 3 is a quarter-cent sales-tax increase to fund corridor preservation, roads and mass-transit options such as TRAX and commuter rail. Supporters outnumbered the critics 2-to-1, according to the poll.

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E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com