Image credits - Hindustan Times
Advertisement
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates a significant tightening of the race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris on critical issues. According to the poll, Trump’s lead over Harris on economic issues has dwindled to a slim 3%, with Trump securing 43% of the vote compared to Harris’s 40%. This represents a notable decline from late July when Trump enjoyed an 11-point lead in the same poll.
According to the most recent survey, there is a tie on the topic of crime and corruption, with 40% of respondents supporting both Trump and Harris. On this front, Trump led Harris by five points last month.Conducted from August 23 to August 25, the poll surveyed 1,028 adults, including 902 registered voters. It has a margin of error of +/- 4%, meaning the lead Trump holds on economic issues is effectively too close to be considered definitive.
The shifting numbers come as political operatives and pollsters scramble to refine their models for the upcoming November election, reflecting concerns about past polling inaccuracies seen in the 2016 and 2020 elections. The variability in poll results has led to heightened caution among analysts and campaign strategists.
John Anzalone, a lead pollster for Biden’s 2020 campaign, acknowledged the unpredictable nature of elections, stating, “Every year, we’ve had different curveballs. This is a difficult industry. Something’s gonna happen in 2024. You and I, right now, don’t know what that is.”
The close race on both economic and crime issues suggests a competitive landscape as the election approaches, with Democrats particularly wary of repeating past polling misjudgments.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll’s findings underscore the increasingly tight contest between Trump and Harris, highlighting the ongoing flux in voter sentiment as the November election draws nearer.