In this year's U.S. elections, voters identified democracy and the economy as their primary concerns, according to early results from exit polls. More than a third of voters said democracy was their top priority among the five options provided, with the economy coming in as the second-most important issue. Other issues included abortion, immigration, and foreign policy. These findings, however, may shift as more data becomes available.
Historically, the economy has consistently ranked as the leading concern in U.S. presidential elections since 2008. While this remains a significant issue, democracy's prominence as a key voter concern marks a notable shift, reflecting growing anxieties about the state of governance.
The exit poll data highlights distinct differences in priority between voters for each candidate. Among those who supported Kamala Harris, approximately six in 10 cited democracy as their deciding factor, while only one in 10 Trump supporters agreed. Conversely, about half of Trump supporters considered the economy the primary issue, with only one in 10 Harris supporters sharing that perspective.
Despite differences, voters on both sides showed concern for democracy’s future. Nearly three-quarters of participants expressed feeling that democracy was “very” or “somewhat” at risk, with similar proportions across both groups. Additionally, around seven in 10 voters voiced concern about potential violence surrounding election results, including majorities among both Harris and Trump supporters.
For the first time in its history, a prominent U.S. media outlet asked voters in exit polls specifically about the risk of election-related violence, reflecting heightened concerns in the current political climate.
The exit poll also revealed that seven in 10 voters felt the election was conducted fairly and accurately, though this view was split along party lines. Harris supporters were generally more confident in the election's integrity, while Trump supporters showed a mix of confidence and skepticism.
Economic sentiment also varied sharply. About three-quarters of Trump supporters reported that they and their families were financially worse off than in 2020, with fewer than one in 10 feeling their situation had improved. Among Harris supporters, around four in 10 reported an improved financial status since 2020.
Inflation presented a similar divide. Approximately one-third of Trump supporters reported facing severe financial hardship due to inflation, compared with around one in 10 of Harris supporters. Across all voters, two-thirds described the national economy as “not so good” or “poor,” though this view was more common among Trump supporters.
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