With fewer than 100 days remaining until the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the race has dramatically shifted.
President Joe Biden recently withdrew from the race, leading Democrats to rally behind Vice President Kamala Harris as their presumptive nominee.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump is back on the campaign trail after surviving an assassination attempt earlier this month.
As the nation braces for a heated contest, recent polls provide critical insights into the evolving dynamics between Harris and Trump. Here are four key trends shaping the race:
Harris and Trump Locked in a National Tie
According to the latest Yahoo News/YouGov poll, Harris and Trump are tied nationally at 46% among registered voters. This marks a significant shift from previous polling, where Harris trailed Trump by 2 points.
The trend indicates that Harris is stabilizing the Democratic position, matching Trump’s support, which has remained relatively steady.
Harris Narrows the Gap in Key Swing States
Swing states, pivotal in determining the Electoral College outcome, are showing a tightening race. Before Biden’s exit, Trump held a comfortable lead in most battlegrounds.
However, recent Fox News polls reveal Harris has made gains.
She is now tied with Trump in Michigan and Pennsylvania, and only trails by 1 point in Wisconsin. Even in traditionally Republican states like Georgia and Arizona, Harris has improved her standing, reducing Trump’s lead.
Improved Favorability Ratings for Harris
A notable change since Harris became the de facto nominee is her rising favorability ratings.
An ABC News/Ipsos poll shows that 43% of Americans now view her favorably, compared to 42% unfavorably.
In contrast, Trump’s unfavorable ratings remain higher at 52%. Harris has particularly improved her standing among independents, a critical demographic in the upcoming election.
Increased Democratic Enthusiasm for Harris
Enthusiasm among Democratic voters has surged with Harris’s candidacy. An ABC News/Ipsos poll found that 88% of Democrats are enthusiastic about Harris, surpassing the 82% of Republicans who feel the same about Trump.
This enthusiasm is vital for voter turnout and could sway undecided voters, particularly among young people, independents, and Black Americans, where Harris is outperforming Biden’s previous numbers.
As the race intensifies, the evolving polling landscape reflects a highly competitive and uncertain election.
Both candidates are now focused on securing support in critical battleground states, with their campaigns gearing up for the final sprint to November.
These insights were culled from a report published by Yahoo News.
