Vice President Kamala Harris has encountered a setback in recent polls as the Democratic National Convention (DNC) approaches.
According to Newsweek, three new surveys show Harris falling behind former President Donald Trump in key voting areas.
The polls, conducted in Pennsylvania and at the national level, indicate a shift in voter preferences just days before the DNC is set to begin. Two polls of likely voters in Pennsylvania, a crucial swing state with 19 Electoral College votes, gave Trump a narrow 1-point lead over Harris.
The Cygnal poll, conducted between August 14-15, surveyed 800 likely voters in Pennsylvania. The results showed 44 percent of respondents supporting Trump, compared to 43 percent for Harris. Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received 5 percent support in this poll.
Another survey by Emerson College, carried out on August 13-14, polled 1,000 likely voters in the state. This poll also gave Trump a slight edge, with 49 percent support compared to Harris's 48 percent. When undecided voters leaning towards a candidate were included, Trump's lead extended to 51 percent against Harris's 49 percent.
The Napolitan News Service survey, conducted by RMG Research between August 12-14, polled 2,708 likely voters across the United States. The results showed that Trump led Harris by 46 percent to 45 percent. When undecided voters leaning towards a candidate were factored in, Trump's lead increased to 49 percent against Harris's 47 percent.
This national poll represents a shift from previous surveys that had shown Harris outperforming Trump in multiple national polls following her emergence as the Democratic front-runner.
The Emerson College poll provided insights into voting preferences across different demographic groups. According to the survey, Harris received 61 percent of the vote from individuals under 40, compared to Trump's 36 percent, while Trump fared better among voters aged 50-69, leading 57 percent to 40 percent.
Among Protestant voters, Trump had a 58 percent to 40 percent advantage and a slightly higher lead of 60 percent to 39 percent with Catholic voters. Atheist and agnostic voters overwhelmingly supported Harris, 84 percent to 13 percent, and she also led among those without a specific religious affiliation, 56 percent to 39 percent.
A separate survey by The New York Times and Siena College, conducted between August 5-9, revealed a significant gender gap in support for the candidates. The poll, which covered Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, showed a 35-point difference between male and female voters' preferences.
According to the survey, Trump led among men by 14 points, while Harris held a 21-point advantage among women. This stark contrast in gender-based support could play a crucial role in the election outcome. If elected, Harris would make history as the first female president of the United States.
The release of these polls comes just before the Democratic National Convention, scheduled to take place from Monday to Thursday at the United Center Arena in Chicago. The convention is expected to solidify Harris's position as the Democratic nominee and outline the party's platform for the upcoming election.
In conclusion, the recent polls show a tightening race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, with Trump holding slight leads in Pennsylvania and nationally. The gender gap in voter preferences and the upcoming Democratic National Convention add further complexity to the electoral landscape. As the campaign season intensifies, these poll results indicate a closely contested race heading into the November election. The DNC will provide an opportunity for Harris and the Democratic Party to address these polling challenges and present their vision to the American electorate.
