The NDP and the Yukon Party are vying for Yukoners' votes according to DataPath Systems' most recent poll, while the Liberal party continues to reflect a lack of overall confidence by most voters.

When it comes to satisfaction with the current government representatives, the Yukon Party scores rose from July, up from 26 per cent to 30 per cent.

The NDP's satisfaction rate also climbed, from 13 per cent to 20 per cent. The Liberal party continued to show the lowest scores at 14 per cent, although that is up from 10 per cent seen in July.

Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell said this morning he has never commented on polls and wouldn't start today. He did, though, have this to say:

"I think we saw how much accuracy there was on the DataPath polls during the federal election. They were out by 20 points with a week to go.”

(That poll, done for the May 2 federal election, had then-incumbent Liberal MP Larry Bagnell leading Conservative Ryan Leef by a wide margin. Leef won the seat.)

"My candidates and I are getting a very warm reception at the door and we're finding that Yukoners are looking for change and change that they're going to trust. That's what we're going to provide.”

When Yukoners were asked which party they trusted to manage 11 different issues, the NDP was the top choice for six and the Yukon Party was picked for three.

The NDP and Yukon Party tied on two items, while the Liberal party was not the most trusted party on any of the items.

The NDP was most trusted on social issues, housing, drug/alcohol, land and trail use, education and the Peel watershed.

The Yukon Party was most trusted to manage the economy, employment and overall government management. The NDP and Yukon Party were tied on negotiating greater mining royalties staying in the Yukon, and policy and regulations.

"None of the parties are doing a fantastic job of delivering a clear message to voters on their positions yet,” Donna Larsen, a partner at DataPath Systems of Marsh Lake said in a press release.

The NDP is seen by 48 per cent of Yukoners as providing a clear message, followed by the Yukon Party at 35 per cent and the Liberal party at 32 per cent.

"But it's still early in the game.” Larsen added.

Of the campaign promises made so far, protecting 80 per cent of the Peel watershed is the most supported.

Around two-thirds (65 per cent) of Yukoners support this policy, while 41 per cent support 100 per cent protection.

Creating a centre in downtown Whitehorse for drug and alcohol housing (62 per cent), and downtown housing for "hard to house” persons at risk (58 per cent) were also popular.

The promise to provide government incentives to developers to reduce land and development costs for more affordable house was popular with 60 per cent of Yukoners.

But what's the one issue Yukoners think is the most important one when choosing a candidate?

"None of the above,” Larsen said.

"It comes down to honesty, integrity and trust, not a political policy or issue. Twenty per cent of Yukoners said honesty/integrity was their top issue.”

This is followed by strong NDP areas: the environment (17 per cent) and housing (13 per cent).

Only 11 per cent of Yukoners rated the economy as their main reason to pick a candidate. Only six per cent listed party policies.

"This open-ended question really shows the challenges out there for the candidates. The party promises will only go so far, and the winners and losers will be chosen based on the trust they can gain in their riding to deliver fair and honest government,” said Larsen.

So, asks Larsen, how will the Oct. 11 election end up?

Only half of Yukoners are 100 per cent decided on the person they plan to vote for right now.

Thirty-two per cent are leaning in one direction, while 17 per cent are "mostly undecided”.

DataPath Systems is an independent Yukon-based market research company.

It says 274 web-based surveys were conducted with 198 Whitehorse residents and 76 non-Whitehorse residents between last Thursday and yesterday.

The data are weighted to accurately represent Yukoners based on the community they live in, their age and gender.

If the study had been conducted only by telephone, percentages would be statistically valid to +/- 5.9 per cent, 19 times out of 20 (95 per cent confidence).

The non-commissioned study was paid for by DataPath Systems.