Special Poll
Rising Election Enthusiasm: A recent Gallup survey shows a notable increase in voter enthusiasm, particularly among Democrats, as the election draws nearer.
Democratic Surge: The poll indicates that 78 percent of Democrats and those who lean Democratic report feeling “more enthusiastic than usual about voting” compared to previous elections. In contrast, 64 percent of Republicans or Republican-leaning individuals expressed similar enthusiasm.
Comparison to Earlier Polls: In a similar survey conducted in March, only 55 percent of Democrats and 59 percent of Republicans were excited about voting in November, highlighting the growing enthusiasm on the Democratic side.
High Engagement Levels: Nearly 80 percent of respondents are giving the upcoming election “quite a lot” of thought, surpassing the previous August record of 74 percent set in 2008.
Potential Record-Breaking Election Engagement: Pollsters suggest that if this trend continues, 2024 could set a new record for voter engagement, surpassing the previous high of 84 percent recorded just before Election Day in 2004.
Impact of Harris’s Campaign: Vice President Kamala Harris’s recent rise to the top of the Democratic ticket has energized many Democrats, who believe she has a better chance of defeating former President Trump than President Biden did.
Poll Numbers: Harris has been gaining in recent polls, leading Trump by 4.3 percentage points in an average of national polls, according to The Hill/Decision Desk HQ. She currently has 49.5 percent support compared to Trump’s 45.2 percent.
Overall Enthusiasm: Overall, 69 percent of Americans feel more enthusiastic about voting in 2024 than in past elections, while only 23 percent feel “less enthusiastic.”
Upcoming Debate: Harris and Trump are scheduled to face off in a debate on September 10, moderated by ABC News. However, Trump has recently cast doubt on whether he will participate, although he mentioned having “reached an agreement” on the details.
Survey Details: The Gallup survey was conducted from August 1 to 20, mostly before the Democratic National Convention, and included 1,015 respondents. The margin of error is 4 percentage points at a 95 percent confidence level.