In the days following her presidential bid launch, Vice President Kamala Harris is polling slightly better than President Joe Biden did against former President Donald Trump, according to a CNN/SSRS poll released Wednesday. The 2024 race remains statistically tied, reflecting a highly competitive electoral landscape.
Harris Gains Ground in Polls
The poll indicates Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, garners support from 46% of registered voters in a hypothetical match-up, compared to Trump’s 49%. This difference falls within the poll’s margin of error. Notably, Harris polls 3 percentage points higher than Biden did in an early July survey. The poll, conducted through a panel-back method, reflects interviews with previously surveyed individuals.
Increased Enthusiasm Among Democrats
Harris’ candidacy has invigorated a previously demoralized Democratic base. This comes after weeks of turmoil following Biden’s poor debate performance in June. Concurrently, Trump has achieved his highest favorability rating in CNN polls since 2020, with 43% backing. This uptick follows an assassination attempt, a unifying Republican National Convention, and Democratic disarray culminating in Biden’s withdrawal.
Harris Outperforming Biden Across Key Demographics
Harris shows improved polling numbers compared to Biden in several key demographics:
- Independents: Harris polls 9 percentage points higher.
- People of color: Harris polls 8 percentage points higher.
- Women and voters under 35: Harris polls 6 percentage points higher.
- Non-college educated voters: Harris polls 5 percentage points higher.
In contrast, Trump’s support remains steady, showing no significant shifts in support.
Voter Motivations
The poll reveals that 50% of Harris supporters view their vote as a vote for her, while the remaining 50% see it as a vote against Trump. This marks a shift from June, where 63% of Biden supporters indicated their vote was primarily against Trump. For Trump, 74% of his supporters now indicate their vote is out of support for him, rather than opposition to Harris. Additionally, 88% of Republicans believe Trump offers the best chance of victory.
Upcoming Decisions and Survey Details
Harris is expected to announce her running mate soon, with the Democratic National Committee moving toward a virtual roll call before August 7 to formally nominate the presidential ticket. The CNN/SSRS poll surveyed 1,631 registered voters via phone and online panels on July 22-23, with a margin of error of ±3 percentage points.
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