With less than 20 days left until the 2024 US presidential election, tensions are running high as various polls continue to fluctuate, reflecting the increasingly intense atmosphere surrounding the elections.
Many observers are calling the upcoming election the most impactful in decades. Authoritative polls show that issues such as the economy, inflation, immigration, crime rates, and abortion remain the top concerns for American voters. The policies of the two major party presidential candidates in addressing these issues will ultimately influence the voters’ final decisions.
Among supporters of Republican presidential candidate Trump, issues like the economy, immigration, and violent crime rates are deemed most important. On the other hand, supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Harris consider healthcare, Supreme Court appointments, the economy, and abortion as crucial.
The economy has always been a focal point for voters, and after experiencing high inflation and interest rates, the question of “whether they are better off now than four years ago” has become a key indicator of economic trends for voters.
A poll released by the Pew Research Center in September revealed that 81% of registered voters feel that the economy affects their voting intentions, due to concerns about the economic situation and inflation. In terms of economic issues, the poll shows that voters have more confidence in Trump.
For California voters, the economy is equally vital. A statewide poll conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California from August 29 to September 9 indicates that a majority of adults and potential voters believe that both the US and California’s overall economy are on the wrong track.
The poll points out that California voters are more worried about rising prices and living costs than employment and unemployment rates. Though concerns about the economy may slightly ease with the recent fall in inflation and interest rates, long-term unease still lingers among voters.
California is known for having the highest basic living expenses such as housing, food, and gas in the US. In a survey conducted by Emerson College in October, over half of the residents are considering leaving the state due to the cost of living. Many individuals and businesses have already moved out due to state policies and high tax rates.
According to the Pew Research Center, 61% of voters consider the immigration issue as highly important. This percentage increased by 9 points from the 2020 presidential election and by 13 points from the 2022 election. Regarding immigration, voters express more confidence in Trump.
On October 13, the official union of the US Border Patrol announced full support for Trump. The union’s chair, Paul Perez, stated that allowing millions of unvetted immigrants into the country has led to “murders, rapes, robberies, home invasions, and various other crimes.” Border patrol officers hope that Trump will be re-elected to end the immigration crisis at the southern border.
There are significant differences between Trump and the incumbent Biden-Harris administration in handling illegal immigration policies. New data from the US Customs and Border Protection show that nearly 10 million illegal immigrants have entered the US during the Biden administration.
Being adjacent to Mexico and having sanctuary state policies, California has become the busiest entry point for illegal immigrants into the US, with many believing that the state’s illegal immigration issue has spiraled out of control.
The latest Emerson College poll shows that 41% of voters think more illegal immigrants should be deported, while 36% believe this would worsen the situation. Additionally, 64% of voters believe that more opportunities should be provided for people to immigrate to the US through legal means.
The Pew Research Center poll also reveals significant shifts in the views of both party voters on the abortion issue this year.
In the previous presidential election four years ago, less than half of voters (40%) considered abortion as a crucial voting issue, with Trump supporters (46%) valuing it more than Biden supporters (35%). However, with the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court, the situation has reversed.
This election year, 67% of Harris supporters view the abortion issue as highly important, nearly double the percentage from four years ago, while 35% of Trump supporters consider abortion important, a decrease of 11 points from four years ago.
In summary, voters are more confident in Trump on matters of the economy, inflation, immigration, security, and foreign policy, while they trust Harris on abortion policies and racial issues.