The 2024 presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is shaping up to be one of the closest in recent history, according to a CNN poll conducted by SSRS. The survey revealed that Harris holds a slim lead with 48% of likely voters, while Trump follows closely at 47%.

Key Takeaways from the CNN Poll:

  • Other Candidates: Third-party candidates like Libertarian Chase Oliver and Green Party’s Jill Stein received minimal support, making the race primarily a head-to-head battle.
  • Support Base: Harris’ backing is largely attributed to her personal appeal, while Trump’s is rooted in his strong economic track record and loyal voter base. Notably, 72% of Trump supporters are voting for him rather than against Harris, compared to 60% of Harris supporters backing her for the same reason.
  • Independent Voters: Harris has a slight edge among independent voters, leading Trump by 4 points. A gender gap persists, with independent women favouring Harris and independent men leaning toward Trump.
  • Demographics: Harris leads among younger voters, as well as Black and Latino demographics.

Key Issues Driving the Election:

  • Voter Trust: Trump is seen as more trustworthy on issues like the economy, immigration, and foreign policy. Meanwhile, Harris is favoured on topics such as abortion rights.
  • Top Concerns: The poll found that 41% of voters view the economy as the most crucial issue, with inflation being their top concern. CNN noted that regardless of candidate preference, voters remain broadly focused on inflation.

As the race remains tight, both candidates will need to focus on winning over independents and addressing voters’ concerns about the economy and inflation as Election Day approaches.