WASHINGTON, In a pivotal moment for the 2024 presidential campaign, a new poll reveals that Vice President Kamala Harris has overtaken former President Donald Trump, gaining a notable lead. The latest survey results indicate Harris now has 47% support among registered voters, compared to Trump’s 42%, marking a solid five-point advantage. This surge comes after their recent debate, where Harris was largely seen as the winner.
This two-day poll captures voter opinions immediately following the debate, showing that Harris has improved her standing, having increased her lead by a point since the previous poll in late August. The debate appears to have had a positive impact on her campaign.
Among the respondents familiar with the debate, 53% viewed Harris as the stronger performer, while 24% believed Trump had the upper hand. The remainder either considered the event a draw or refrained from answering. These numbers emphasize the role the debate played in shaping public opinion.
When it comes to debate performance, 52% of respondents who followed the event felt Trump’s responses were less sharp than expected. On the other hand, only 21% thought Harris was lacking in this area. Interestingly, 20% of Republican respondents acknowledged that Trump seemed less focused, revealing a possible concern even among his party supporters.
The debate itself was intense, with Harris, 59, challenging Trump, 78, on various issues, including his legal battles and felony conviction for falsifying business records. These points, highlighting questions about Trump’s suitability for the presidency, appear to have resonated with voters. A majority of viewers—52%—felt that Harris demonstrated higher moral standards compared to Trump, who garnered 29% in this aspect.
The ABC News-hosted debate drew an audience of 67.1 million viewers, a significant increase compared to the 51 million who watched the debate between Trump and Joe Biden. This larger viewership underscores the growing public interest in the current political climate and the weight that these debates carry in shaping voter perspectives.
In terms of overall presence and perceived competence, Harris also came out on top. The poll found that 56% of viewers thought she appeared more dignified, while only 24% said the same about Trump. When asked which candidate seemed more in touch with voter concerns, 49% chose Harris as the more empathetic and understanding leader, compared to 18% for Trump.
As the 2024 election approaches, this shift in voter sentiment signals a crucial development for the Harris campaign. The survey, which included 1,690 U.S. adults and 1,405 registered voters, carries a margin of error of about three percentage points. While national polls provide a snapshot of the overall race, the final result will largely depend on key battleground states.
The clear impact of the debate on voter attitudes highlights the importance of these events in the election cycle. Both Harris and Trump will need to navigate the ever-changing political landscape and address the most pressing issues on voters’ minds. Harris’s current lead reflects a positive shift, but with the race still evolving, both candidates will need to stay sharp as new developments unfold.
As the election draws nearer, the latest poll points to a growing advantage for Harris, particularly following her strong debate performance. How both candidates engage with voters on critical issues in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining the outcome in November.