According to a new poll, U.S. Vice President from the Democratic Party Kamala Harris is ahead of former Republican President Donald Trump by three percentage points (46% to 43%). Harris's lead in the six-day poll, which concluded on Monday, is little different from her advantage over Trump in the previous poll, illustrating the tense battle between candidates two weeks before the election, as well as voter disillusionment and apathy. Harris's lead over Trump may not be enough to win the election, even if it holds until November 5.
National polls, including Reuters/Ipsos polls, provide important signals about voter views, but state-by-state Electoral College results determine the winner, with seven battleground states potentially being decisive. Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election by winning the Electoral College, although she won the national popular vote by a margin of 2 points.
The new poll showed that voters are dissatisfied with the state of the economy and immigration and generally approve of Trump's approach to these issues. 60% of voters said the economy is moving in the wrong direction. When asked which candidate is better on these issues, respondents more often named Trump—46% compared to 38% for Harris on the economy, and 48% compared to 35% on immigration.
However, on the question of which candidate would better handle political extremism and threats to democracy, Trump scored low: Harris leads with 42%, while the former president has 35%. She also leads on issues of abortion policy and healthcare.
About 79% of registered voters who participated in the poll, including 87% of Democrats and 84% of Republicans, said they are "completely confident" they will vote in the presidential election. This activity is five percentage points higher than it was four years ago in the presidential race between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Analysts believe the candidate who can get more of their supporters to the polls will win, as there is virtually no time left to campaign to undecided voters.
Photo: AP