A recent poll conducted by the Pew Research Center has shown an increase in favorability ratings for both Vice President Harris and former President Trump among American voters. Harris’s overall favorability rating has risen from 36% to 44%, while Trump’s has increased from 39% to 42%. Among Democratic voters or those who lean Democratic, Harris has seen a significant jump in approval from 65% to 83%, while Trump’s approval among Republicans or Republican-leaning voters is at 79%. Harris is slightly leading Trump nationally, with 46% support compared to his 45%, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. trailing in third with 7%.
The poll also revealed that a higher percentage of Harris and Trump supporters are “extremely motivated” to vote in the upcoming November election. 70% of Harris supporters reported feeling extremely motivated, up from 63% of Biden supporters in July. On the other side, 72% of Trump supporters expressed the same level of motivation, up from 63% in July. Despite dropping out of the race, Biden still only holds a 37% approval rating among the American public. The poll data indicates that both Harris and Trump have strong support bases that are energized to participate in the election.
The Pew Research Center also discovered a significant shift in the number of “double negative” voters, who initially indicated they held unfavorable views of both Trump and Biden. In May, a quarter of American voters fell into this category, but that number has dropped to 14% with the addition of Harris to the race. This change suggests that Harris’s presence in the election has influenced some voters who previously did not favor either candidate to now have a more favorable view. The poll was conducted from August 5-11.
It is essential to note that polling data should be interpreted with caution, as evidenced by recent elections where polls underestimated Trump’s support. Polling guru Nate Silver advises against over-relying on polls and emphasizes the potential for inaccuracies. Despite this caution, the Pew Research Center’s findings provide valuable insights into the current political landscape and voter attitudes. The increased favorability ratings for both Harris and Trump, along with the high levels of motivation among their respective supporters, indicate a competitive race leading up to the November election.
Overall, the Pew Research Center’s poll highlights the shifting dynamics of the upcoming election, with Vice President Harris and former President Trump both gaining favorability among American voters. Harris has seen a significant increase in approval ratings, particularly among Democratic voters, while Trump’s ratings have also improved among Republicans. The high levels of motivation among Harris and Trump supporters suggest an intense and closely contested election ahead. With the addition of Harris to the race, there has been a decrease in the number of voters with unfavorable views of both candidates, indicating the potential for broader support for the candidates. The poll results emphasize the need for careful consideration of polling data and the dynamic nature of voter attitudes as the election approaches.
