Kamala Harris Holds Narrow Lead Over Donald Trump as U.S. Presidential Race Tightens
In the closely watched race for the U.S. presidency, Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris holds a slim lead over her Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll. The three-day survey, which concluded on Sunday, showed Harris with a 3-percentage-point advantage, securing 45% of voter support compared to Trump’s 42%.
Voter Enthusiasm on the Rise
While the margin between the candidates has remained steady, there is a noticeable increase in voter enthusiasm, particularly among Democrats. A significant 78% of registered voters reported being “completely certain” they would cast a ballot in this election. This marks an increase from similar polls ahead of the 2020 election, where 74% of Democrats and 79% of Republicans were committed to voting. In the current poll, 86% of Democrats and 81% of Republicans expressed certainty in their decision to vote.
Economic Concerns and Healthcare Divide Voters
Harris has garnered support in key areas such as healthcare policy and handling political extremism. However, Trump remains the favored candidate on economic issues. The poll indicated that 45% of voters believe Trump is the stronger candidate for handling the economy, unemployment, and jobs. On the other hand, Harris leads Trump by 14 percentage points when it comes to healthcare policy and holds a 43% to 38% advantage on addressing political extremism.
State-by-State Battlegrounds Will Be Key
Despite national polling, the U.S. presidential election is ultimately determined by the state-by-state results of the Electoral College. As such, battleground states are expected to play a decisive role. Polls show that Harris and Trump are neck and neck in these key states, with many results falling within the margin of error.
With a high voter turnout anticipated—two-thirds of U.S. adults voted in 2020, the highest turnout in over a century—both campaigns are focused on mobilizing their supporters to ensure a victory.
Favorability Remains a Challenge for Both Candidates
Neither candidate enjoys widespread favorability. Only 46% of voters have a positive view of Harris, while Trump’s favorability rating stands at 42%. Both candidates will need to work to win over undecided and independent voters as the race enters its final weeks.
As the November 5 election approaches, the race remains tight, with the outcome likely hinging on voter turnout and the results in crucial battleground states.