The race for the White House is heating up, with a new poll revealing a tight contest between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. According to the Harvard CAPS/Harris poll, Trump holds a slight advantage in early voting among voters in key swing states. While Harris maintains a nationwide lead, the close race in battleground states underscores their critical importance in the election.
The poll, conducted from October 11-13, surveyed 3,145 registered voters, including 2,596 likely voters and 898 battleground state voters. In these crucial states, 48% of early voters favor Trump, while Harris garnered 47% support. The remaining 5% either chose another candidate or have not yet cast their vote. This slight edge for Trump in swing states, according to Mark Penn, co-director of the poll, signals that his strategy for these states is paying off.
However, the nationwide picture paints a different story. Despite the tight race in swing states, Harris enjoys a substantial 8-point lead among early voters nationwide. She secured 51% support, compared to Trump’s 43%.
It’s important to note that the poll also found that 45% of voters plan to vote early, while 50% intend to vote on Election Day.
This new poll adds to the growing evidence of a closely contested presidential race. Earlier, a CBS News poll showed Harris leading Trump by 3 points. However, it also found that a majority of Americans hold a pessimistic view of the nation’s current state. Additionally, the Democratic Party has seen a decline in voter registration advantage in key battleground states such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Nevada, potentially posing a challenge for Harris.
Despite these challenges, an NBC News poll released earlier this month found Trump and Harris evenly matched with 48% support each, further emphasizing the closeness of the race. With less than a month until Election Day, the fight for the Oval Office is shaping up to be a nail-biter, with the outcome likely hinging on the results in the crucial battleground states.