New polls reveal that Vice President Kamala Harris is significantly outperforming former President Donald Trump among Black voters.
The CBS News/YouGov poll, which surveyed approximately 3,100 registered voters between July 30 and August 2, shows Harris and Trump are neck and neck in key battleground states, but Harris is securing overwhelming support from Black voters.
The poll indicates that both candidates are tied with 50% support in critical battleground states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Arizona.
Nationally, Harris holds a slim lead over Trump, 50% to 49%, in a head-to-head race.
Trump leads narrowly in Wisconsin by one point and holds a three-point lead in Georgia and North Carolina, while Harris is ahead by two points in Nevada.
When third-party candidates are included in the polling data, Harris extends her lead over Trump by two points. The vice president’s substantial advantage among Black voters is a significant factor in her overall lead.
The poll shows that 74% of Black voters guarantee their support for Harris, a marked increase from the 58% support for President Joe Biden in the previous election. Overall, Harris has garnered 81% support from Black voters compared to Biden’s 73%.
Democratic strategists had previously warned that President Biden was losing ground with Black voters, a key demographic for the party.
The poll results suggest that Harris’ appeal to Black voters is stronger, with many feeling that she will address the needs of all Americans, including the Black community.
Conversely, GOP voters and lawmakers express concern that Harris might prioritize the interests of Black people over those of white people.
Despite these concerns, Harris’ supporters are confident in her commitment to serve all Americans regardless of race or gender.
The poll also highlights an increase in voter enthusiasm on both sides of the aisle, with even one-third of GOP voters indicating they are more motivated to vote with Harris on the ballot.
Voters have expressed confidence in Harris’ mental and cognitive capacity to serve, an issue that was previously a concern for Democrats when Biden was the nominee. Harris leads Trump in perceived energy levels (69% to 61%) and focus (56% to 52%).
Harris’ candidacy has also widened the gender gap between the candidates, with the vice president winning 54% of women’s votes, while Trump secures 54% of men’s votes.
The changing national sentiment is reflected in the increased support for the idea of a Black woman president, with 75% of independent voters and nearly half of Republicans endorsing the notion.
This represents a significant shift in public opinion compared to past decades, such as in 2000 and during former President Barack Obama’s candidacy in 2008.
