If Ward 1 voters have their way, a casino could be in the future for East Boston. A Suffolk University/Boston Herald poll of East Boston voters likely to cast ballots in the Nov. 5 city election shows that 47 percent would vote yes on the referendum, while 39 percent would vote no. Eight percent were undecided, and 6 percent refused a response.

The Boston City Council voted to limit the casino vote to East Boston voters only, and a simple majority is all that is necessary for it to pass.

“This won’t be a pro-casino landslide as it was in Everett, but so far the ‘yes’ side seems to be well positioned,” said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center in Boston. In June, Everett voters endorsed a Steve Wynn casino proposal for their city, 86 percent to 13 percent. The casino proposal was strongly backed by Mayor Carlo DeMaria and many local politicians.

“However, supporters aren’t quite over the hump yet, and if the ‘no’ side steps up its intensity, especially among women, it could be closer than we think,” said Paleologos.

There is a glaring gender gap on the casino question. East Boston men favor the casino by 17 points, 51 percent to 34 percent. However, the margin is just one point among East Boston women, with 44 percent for and 43 percent against.

The poll was conducted as part of a Boston mayoral race partnership between Suffolk University and the Boston Herald that includes polling, candidate debates, commentary and hands-on involvement for Suffolk students.

Methodology

Using the voter list from the 2012 presidential election and other Boston elections, the Suffolk University poll used a tight screen to filter out Ward 1 voters who weren't likely to vote or who couldn't name the approximate time frame of the final election. The field of 300 likely final election voters was conducted Monday, Oct. 7, through Wednesday, Oct. 9. The margin of error is +/- 5.65 percent at a 95 percent level of confidence. Results are posted on the Suffolk University Political Research Center website. For more information, contact David Paleologos at 781-290-9310.