- November 6, 2024
2024 US elections exit poll: 48% of voters express favourable view of Kamala Harris, 44% for Donald Trump – Times of India
With millions of Americans voting on November 5 in the presidential elections, preliminary results from an exit poll conducted by Edison Research has offered insights into voter sentiments and demographic trends.
Key findings
Candidate favourability
- Donald Trump: 44% of voters expressed a favourable view of Trump, a slight decrease from 46% in the 2020 exit poll. Conversely, 54% viewed him unfavorably, up from 52% in 2020.
- Kamala Harris: 48% of voters had a favourable view of Harris, compared to 52% for Biden in 2020. Her unfavorable rating stood at 50%, an increase from Biden’s 46% in the previous election.
Top voting issues
- The economy was the most critical issue for 31% of voters.
- Other concerns included the state of democracy (35%), abortion (14%), immigration (11%), and foreign policy (4%).
Financial situation
- A significant 45% reported that their family’s financial situation has worsened compared to four years ago, contrasting sharply with just 20% who felt this way in the last election.
- Only 24% felt better off than four years ago, down from 41% in 2020.
Trust in handling key issues
- On economic matters, 51% trusted Trump more than Harris (47%).
- Regarding abortion, 51% trusted Harris over Trump (44%).
Immigration perspectives
- A majority of voters (39%) believed most undocumented immigrants should be deported, while 57% supported offering them a chance to apply for legal status.
Views on Democracy
- A striking 73% of voters felt that democracy in the U.S. is under threat.
Demographic insights
Educational background
- 57% of voters did not have a college degree, showing a slight decrease from 59% in 2020.
Gender breakdown
- Women comprised 53% of voters, up from 52% in the last election.
Racial composition
- White voters made up 71%, an increase from 67% in 2020.
- Black voters represented only 11%, down from 13%, while Hispanic voters were at 12%, also down from 13%.
As results continue to come in, these preliminary insights will be vital for understanding voting behavior and predicting potential outcomes in this pivotal election. The exit polling provides a snapshot not only of voter preferences but also highlights significant shifts in demographics and priorities since the last presidential election.
