In a statewide survey conducted prior to the first game of the 2009 World Series, 52% of New Jersey voters say they want the New York Yankees to be victorious.

One-in-three (33%) NJ voters are hoping the Philadelphia Phillies will win their second straight World Series title, while 15% are not sure.

With the so-called “Turnpike Series” now underway, the Phillies hold a 1-0 lead over New York heading into tonight’s Game 2.

New Jersey’s geographical location has created a divided fan base, as the Garden State borders both New York and Pennsylvania.

Despite who fans want to win, a slight majority (51%) say the Bronx Bombers are most likely to win their 27th World Series. Twenty-seven percent (27%) feel the Phillies will win and 22% are not sure.

With the New Jersey gubernatorial election right around the corner, 64% of voters will follow the latest election news more closely than the World Series, while just 25% will follow the Fall Classic more closely.

Female voters (67%) are more likely to follow election than male voters (59%). While 30% of men say they will be following World Series coverage more, 20% of women say the same.

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Nationally, just 31% of baseball fans are rooting for the Yankees to win the World Series. The plurality (49%) say they’re rooting for the Phillies to win it all this year. Twenty-percent (20%) are not sure.

Forty-seven percent (47%) of baseball fans nationwide say the Yankees will most likely win, while 32% expect the Phillies to pull through in the end.

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