Barack Obama and John McCain are now all tied up at 49% each in the battleground state of Ohio, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey.

A Fox News/Rasmussen Reports telephone poll conducted a few days earlier showed Obama leading McCain 49% to 47% in Ohio.

But only 53% of Ohio voters are now Very Confident that the votes will be properly counted and the right candidate declared the victor. Another 34% are Somewhat Confident in the outcome.

Forty-five (45%) say people who shouldn’t be allowed to vote are likely to vote on Election Day. Just 28% say it’s more likely that some who are eligible will be denied the chance to vote.

Late Wednesday, Ohio's attorney general filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court in hopes of blocking a lower court ruling that could prevent thousands of Ohio voters from voting on Election Day.

Numerous lawsuits over voter eligibility are already at play in Ohio, where over 600,000 new voters have registered this year. Republicans question the legitimacy of voters registered by the liberal activist group ACORN, now under investigation in Ohio, Nevada and other states. Democrats say Republicans are just trying to eliminate and discourage voters in states where the party's candidates are at risk.

Eighty percent (80%) of Ohio voters believe people who want to vote should be required to show a driver’s license prior to casting a ballot.

Nationally, 76% believe a person should be required to show photo identification at the polls before being allowed to vote.

McCain’s support in Ohio has ticked up two points in this latest poll, but the long-term trend has been in Obama’s direction. This is the 10th straight poll in the state dating back to mid-August in which support for Obama has either increased or remained stable. It’s the second straight poll in which Obama has enjoyed support from 49%, his highest total of the year.

McCain’s high-water mark in Ohio came in early September when he enjoyed a 51% to 44% advantage over Obama. However, he has failed to reach the 50% level of support in five consecutive polls conducted since late September.

Currently, Obama has the edge in every state won by John Kerry four years ago. Of the states won by George W. Bush in 2004, McCain is trailing in four, and five others are considered toss-ups. As a result, Electoral College projections now show Obama leading 260-163. When “leaners” are included, Obama leads 300-174. A total of 270 Electoral Votes are needed to win the White House.

The latest Ohio poll was conducted the night before the final presidential debate. Rasmussen Reports will be polling the state again on Sunday.

Forty-six percent (46%) of Ohio voters say the tone of Obama’s campaign has been generally positive while just 27% say the same about McCain’s campaign.

Currently, McCain is viewed favorably by 57% of Ohio voters, Obama favorably by 54%.

Obama now leads 51% to 46% among unaffiliated voters in Ohio. He also leads by five among women while trailing by five among men (See full demographic crosstabs.)

New polling on the presidential race was released this week from the closely-contested states of Virginia, North Carolina,Florida and Missouri. See an overview of the state polls and the latest Electoral College projections. A total of 270 Electoral Votes are needed to win the White House (see 50-State Summary).

Recent statewide presidential polls also have been released for Arizona, California,Colorado,Delaware, Florida,Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Kansas, Maine,Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi,Missouri, Montana, Nebraska,Nevada,New Hampshire,New Mexico , North Carolina, Ohio,Pennsylvania,Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Demographic crosstabs for all state polling are available for Premium Members . Learn More .

Governor Ted Strickland earns good or excellent job approval ratings from 50% of Ohio voters, while 15% say he is doing a poor job.

President Bush earns good or excellent ratings from 32% of voters in Ohio, while 50% give his job performance a poor rating.

Only 52% say elections are fair to voters, but 83% still believe one person’s vote really does matter.

See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs are available for Premium Members only.