The Latest Poll Results
A nationwide Associated Press-Nations Opinion Research Center (AP/NORC) poll sheds some interesting light onto the views of the voting public in the run-up to November’s Presidential Election. The survey indicates that Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice president, is pulling ahead of her Republican rival, former president Donald Trump.
Significantly, Harris scores more favorably in the eyes of voters on matters such as being “tough enough to be president”, showing potential to “change the country for the better”, and appearing ready to “fight for people like you”. On the other hand, Trump notably scores highest on the assertion that he “will say anything to win the election”.
Recent Campaign Activities
Trump, known for his energetic campaigns, recently delivered a rally in Uniondale, Long Island. His pledge to “bring back religion” and a call to New Yorkers, asking them, “What the hell do you have to lose?” solicited attention. Trump’s political antics didn’t end there; he and running mate JD Vance sparked controversy after spreading an unfounded story about Haitian immigrants.
Tensions Rise Ahead of Election
Trump has also accused Kamala Harris of colluding with Iran to spy on his campaign. This follows information revealed by the FBI about an attempt by Tehran-backed hackers to pass stolen material to the Democratic ticket. Meanwhile, Harris continues to seize the opportunity to present herself as a strong, capable leader.
Statistical Insights
Analyzed data from the AP/NORC poll shows that 40% of registered voters believe Harris will claim victory on November 5, as opposed to 28% who favour Trump. Importantly, there is a significant degree of uncertainty, with one-fifth of respondents indicating that they believe both candidates have an equal shot at the White House.
Public Perception of Candidates
Harris appears to have carved a more positive public image for herself than Trump. While 43% believe she is tough enough to be president compared to Trump’s 42%, Harris wins out on issues like fighting for everyday people and potential to positively impact the country. Trump, however, takes the lead in being perceived as someone who will say anything to win the election.
Favourability ratings shine a positive light on Harris, who has a favourable opinion from about half of registered voters compared to Trump’s 37%. Similarly, the August 2024 AP-NORC poll identified that the public had a favorable opinion of Harris (48%) slightly more than Trump (41%).
Methodology of AP/NORC Poll
The national poll was conducted between September 12-16, 2024 using the AmeriSpeak® Panel, a survey tool of NORC at the University of Chicago. A total of 2,028 adults, including 1,771 self-reported registered voters, were interviewed online and via telephone. The overall margin of sampling error for this poll is +/- 3.1 percentage points, increasing slightly to +/- 3.5 percentage points for registered voters.
In summary, as the nation gears up for the November Presidential Election, the latest AP/NORC poll reveals growing support for Kamala Harris. Her image as robust and relatable, as resonated with a significant portion of the voting demographic, nudges her ahead of Donald Trump. While the race for the White House is far from over, these latest numbers do give the Harris campaign a reason to feel optimistic.