US election 2024: Harris edges out Trump in latest poll

A new Emerson College poll released on August 15 provides insights into the evolving presidential race following Joe Biden's exit from the campaign.

This national survey, the first since Biden's withdrawal last month, focuses on registered voters who are "very likely" to cast a ballot in the upcoming election, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

In this latest poll, Vice President Kamala Harris leads former President Donald Trump by four percentage points among likely voters. Harris garners 50% support, while Trump receives 46%. Five per cent of respondents remain undecided.

When accounting for third-party candidates, both Harris and Trump experience a slight decline in support, with each losing 2%. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attracts approximately 4% of likely voter support.

The poll indicates a shift in voter preferences: Trump’s support has decreased from 48% to 46%, while Harris has surpassed Biden's previous standing, now commanding 50% compared to Biden's 47%. Harris also outperforms Biden when third-party candidates are included in the mix.

The survey shows a notable increase in enthusiasm among Black voters, with those identifying as "extremely" or "very" motivated to vote rising by 11% since the last poll. Harris is viewed favourably by 51% of likely voters, compared to 45% for Trump. However, 49% of voters view Harris unfavourably, while 54% have an unfavourable view of Trump.

Regarding the vice presidential candidates, both Senator JD Vance and Governor Tim Walz hold a 39% favorability rating. However, Vance is viewed unfavourably by 49% of voters, while Walz has a 39% unfavourable rating. Vance is more widely recognized, with only 12% of respondents unaware of him, compared to 22% who do not know Walz.

In congressional races, the poll shows a close contest: 48% support the Democratic candidate, 46% support the Republican candidate, and 7% are undecided. This is consistent with last month's figures, where both parties received equal support.

When considering top issues, 40% of likely voters prioritize the economy, followed by immigration (17%), threats to democracy (12%), housing affordability (7%), and healthcare (7%).