Early voting trends indicate a significant lead for Vice President Kamala Harris over Donald Trump, with many voters prioritizing abortion rights as a crucial factor in their decision. A recent poll conducted by USA TODAY/Suffolk University shows Harris leading Trump among early voters by nearly 2 to 1, capturing 63% of their support compared to Trump’s 34%.
Early Voting Preferences
As the election approaches, voters are showing differing preferences based on when they cast their ballots. Among those who have already voted, Harris’s strong showing suggests that Democratic enthusiasm remains high. In contrast, voters who plan to wait until Election Day lean towards Trump, with 52% indicating they would support him, while only 35% favor Harris.
The poll reveals that many states have commenced early mail-in and in-person voting, with approximately one in seven respondents having already cast their ballots. Furthermore, about one-third of respondents expressed intentions to vote early, showing a preference for Harris by 52% to 39%. Meanwhile, nearly half of those surveyed indicated they plan to wait for Election Day to vote.
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Overall Election Landscape
When considering all voters, Harris holds a slight edge over Trump, leading by a margin of 45% to 44%. This overall tight race underscores the competitive nature of the upcoming election.
The poll, conducted via landline and cellphone between October 14-18, surveyed 1,000 respondents with a margin of error of ±3.1%. Among those who have already voted, one in five identified “abortion rights/women’s rights” as their top priority, followed closely by concerns about the economy and inflation.
Implications for the Democratic Campaign
David Paleologos, director of Suffolk’s Political Research Center, noted that Harris’s strong performance in early voting could be advantageous for Democrats. It provides her with additional time to sway Election Day voters while demonstrating a solid lead as November approaches. Historically, Democrats have been more inclined to vote early, particularly due to former President Trump’s unfounded assertions about the security of mail-in voting.
Changing Dynamics in Voting
The landscape of early voting is shifting, with the Republican Party now encouraging its supporters to participate in early voting, a stark contrast to their previous stance. States like Georgia have reported record-breaking turnout, with over 1.4 million residents voting early since polling began.
