Match.com/Gallup Survey Finds Single Voters Favor Kerry, Oppose Same-Sex Marriage and Believe the War in Iraq Was Not Worth the Price
Dating Site's 'Every Single Vote Counts' Campaign Encourages Singles to Get Engaged in the Political Process, Play Decisive Role in Presidential Election
PRNewswire-FirstCall
DALLAS

Match.com, the global leader in online dating, today released key findings from its recently commissioned Gallup survey of American singles. The recently completed survey of 1,001 American singles from across the country explores the attitudes, perceptions and issues vital to single Americans as they determine their choice for President this November.

According to the Match.com/Gallup Survey, singles are more likely to feel that Sen. John Kerry will best address the issues important to them and thus may be more likely to cast their vote for the Kerry ticket this November. In addition, the Gallup survey revealed that single Republicans are more likely than single Democrats to cross party lines and vote for the other party's candidate.

In an unprecedented election year in which voters and the media are following the campaign more intensely and closely than ever before, single voters have the opportunity to play a decisive role on November 2.

"The Gallup survey is the cornerstone of Match.com's Every Single Vote Counts Campaign," said Trish McDermott, Vice President of Romance for Match.com. "Regardless of their political affiliation or for whom they intend to cast their vote, we hope singles will begin to feel more included in the political process and that both candidates will make a better effort to address singles as a large and influential voting bloc."

In addition, Match.com discovered that registering to vote may benefit singles' romantic lives. A May 2004 Match.com survey of more than 1,600 American adults found that 91 percent of respondents believe they are more likely to fall in love with a registered voter than a non-registered voter.

"We tend to be attracted to people who feel passionate about the world in which they live, empowered to make a difference, and willing to step forward and express a belief or opinion," McDermott said. "This is an added incentive for singles to become politically engaged and cast their vote this November."

  Seven Singles Statistics

   1.  The war in Iraq and the U.S. economy top the list of issues that will
       determine the singles' vote in November.  Among single women,
       healthcare ranks a close third, while homeland security ranks third
       for single men.

   2.  Forty-one percent of singles say John Kerry is best at addressing
       issues important to them; almost a third (31%) says George Bush is
       best; and 17 percent are still trying to decide.

   3.  One in every two singles (49%) would like to see Senator Kerry win
       the White House, including 12 percent of single Republicans;
       35 percent would like to see President Bush re-elected, including
       only five percent of single Democrats.

   4.  Three in ten singles (32%) say the Vice Presidential nominee is very
       important in determining their vote; four in ten (42%) say a
       candidate's relationship with his spouse is very important.

   5.  Three in every five singles (57%) say the war in Iraq has not been
       worth the price.

   6.  Fifty-one percent also say that marriages between homosexuals should
       not be recognized by the law as valid, while 41% of singles say they
       should.

   7.  On the lighter side, 21 percent of single Democrats think that George
       and Laura Bush would make more interesting dinner conversationalists
       than the Kerrys, while 12 percent of single Republicans think that
       the Kerrys would be more interesting.

The Gallup results were released at the Match.com Every Single Vote Counts campaign kick-off party at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on July 21. Hosted by the Beltway's most famous cross-party couple, James Carville and Mary Matalin, this interactive forum gave D.C.-area singles an opportunity to discuss the key issues in this election season, as well as the importance of getting engaged in the political process.

Along with the Gallup survey results, the Every Single Vote Counts campaign consists of online and offline communications programs that encourage singles to vote and giving them resources to register in their local communities. In addition, the campaign features advertising banners on the Match.com site leading to content such as statements from Presidential candidates Bush and Kerry outlining why singles should vote for them. MatchLive.com, Match.com's offline events business, also will provide voter registration information at upcoming singles' events across the country and will host debate-viewing parties in select cities to foster discussion among singles about the issues important to them this election season.

Survey Methodology

The results of the Match.com/Gallup survey of American singles are based on 1,001 telephone interviews with a national random sample of adult single men and women age 18 and older residing in telephone households. Single adults were identified as those who have never married or were currently divorced or widowed. Those currently married or separated were not included in the study. Interviewing was conducted by the Gallup Organization from June 28 to July 11, 2004. The error attributable to sampling and other random effects is plus or minus three percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.

About Match

Operating more than 30 online dating sites, in 17 local languages, spanning six continents, Match.com is the world's leading online dating and personals property, according to the May 2004 global ranking by industry-leading independent measurement firm comScore Media Metrix. Match.com offers the industry's most advanced and comprehensive matching technology -- the exclusive Total Attraction Matchingâ„¢ system -- which incorporates powerful, scientifically-based personality profiling tools and the first and only physical attraction matching platform. Since its launch in 1995, Match.com has been leading the industry in providing a wide array of tools and resources for its 12 million members seeking long-term, committed relationships or marriage. Match.com provides wireless dating (< www.matchmobile.com >), Online SpeedMatching (< www.OnlineSpeedMatching.com >) and events opportunities for singles through its sites MatchLive.com and SpeedMatching.com, both operated by its affiliate, MatchLive, L.L.C. Based on resignation survey data, the Company calculates that more than 200,000 Match.com members met the person they were seeking on the site in 2003 alone. Match.com is an operating business of IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ: IACI).

SOURCE: Match.com

CONTACT: Kathleen Roldan of Match.com, +1-415-913-3136,
Kathleen.roldan@match.com; or Kerri Landry of Mullen, +1-978-468-8939,
kerri.landry@mullen.com, for Match.com

Web site: http://www.match.com/