Harris Voters Less Confident She'll Make Country Better Than Trump's Voters

 

Voters leaning toward Vice President Kamala Harris seem to express less confidence in her ability to improve the country if elected president, especially when compared to those favoring her opponent, Donald Trump.

A recent Washington Post-Schar School poll, which surveyed 5,000 participants, asked respondents whether they believed each candidate would bring positive, negative, or neutral change to the country if elected on November 5. Among those who are certain they will vote for Harris, 87% believe she would enact positive changes. However, this drops to only 43% among those who are likely to support her.

In contrast, 97% of individuals who are committed to voting for Trump feel that he would positively impact the nation, with 73% of those leaning toward him sharing the same view—a significant 30% gap compared to Harris.

Regarding concerns about the opposing candidate, 86% of Harris supporters think Trump would worsen the country, while 90% of Trump supporters feel the same about Harris. RNC spokesperson Anna Kelly commented, “Kamala Harris proudly owns all of the Harris-Biden failures of the past four years, from historic inflation to the open southern border to the botched Afghanistan withdrawal. President Trump will bring the change Americans desperately want by lowering prices, ending the migrant crime wave, restoring peace through strength, and making America great again.”

With just over two weeks until election day, both campaigns are actively targeting swing states and undecided voters. The Post's survey indicates that both candidates are closely matched in seven battleground states, and a separate poll from USA Today/Suffolk University also shows Trump and Harris within a single percentage point of each other, with Harris being viewed as the candidate more likely to bring change.

“I strongly oppose Trump's economic policies, which include tariffs, because I witnessed the damage they inflicted on the agricultural community during his first administration,” Erin Parker, a registered Republican from Oregon, stated. Another voter indicated she would support Trump to “get back on the right track” regarding grocery and gas affordability.

Approximately 6% of swing-state voters remain skeptical of both candidates and are unlikely to support either. This group tends to include younger voters, people of color, and those likely identifying as independents. Among undecided voters, half of those surveyed in the spring have now made their choice, but a significant number remain uncommitted.

Kelly Morales, co-director of the left-leaning voter engagement group Siembra North Carolina, noted, “We've had numerous conversations centered on trust-building, which takes time. It's essential to help individuals understand that choosing not to vote is also a political decision.” 

Organizations like Morales’ have been actively reaching out to Latino and Black voters who are undecided, aiming to clarify Harris’ immigration policies and address Trump's statements about the Latino community.

As November 5 approaches, key issues for voters include the economy, abortion, immigration, and healthcare. Both candidates are intensifying their efforts to clarify their positions while campaigning in pivotal states. Trump is scheduled to hold events in North Carolina, Georgia, and Nevada this week, culminating in a rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday. Meanwhile, Harris will campaign with former Republican Representative Liz Cheney in Pennsylvania, and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, is set to appear on *The View*.

The Washington Post-Schar School poll was conducted from September 30 to October 15, 2024, and included responses from 5,016 voters across Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, with a margin of error of 1.7 percentage points.