Money or Love

Love jumped out front on day one at 56% and never let go for nearly 560 straight days, settling into a stubborn 50-51% cushion for most of the poll's run. Money chipped away in inches — 54% became 52%, then 51% — the gap closing so slowly it looked like Love would coast to victory.

Then, with the finish line in sight, everything broke loose: seven lead changes flipped the race between day 558 and day 575 alone. Money finally grabbed it for good and held on, but by the closing bell it was a dead heat — 2585 to 2583, a 50-50 split decided by just two votes.

• Early runaway · Love opened day 1 at a commanding 56% and led for 557 days
• Late-game chaos · Seven lead changes erupted between day 558 and day 575
• Photo finish · Final margin: Money 2585 to Love 2583 — two votes apart
• Gender split · Women favored Love 123-62, nearly double Money's female share