According to a new Pew Forum Survey Obama's largest gains (eight percentage points) were seen among those who are unaffiliated with any particular religion; fully three-quarters of this group supported Obama. This group has also been a big part of the Democratic coalition in the previous two presidential elections, 61% having supported Al Gore in 2000 and 67% having supported Kerry in 2004.

Twenty-three percent of religiously unaffiliated voters voted for McCain, compared to 31% and 30% who voted for George W. Bush in 2004 and 2000 respectively.