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AP VoteCast: Top Issues for Voters Include Economy, Democracy

AP VoteCast: Top Issues for Voters Include Economy, Democracy

AP VoteCast: Top Issues for Voters Include Economy, Democracy \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ In the 2024 presidential election, U.S. voters identified the economy, immigration, and the future of democracy as their primary concerns. An AP VoteCast survey of over 110,000 voters reveals a nation eager for change, with many choosing between Donald Trump’s vision of economic control and Kamala Harris’s focus on reproductive rights and future progress. While Trump is seen as strong on the economy, Harris leads on abortion rights, underscoring voters’ diverse priorities.

AP VoteCast: Top Issues for Voters Include Economy, Democracy
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks after voting on Election Day at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Top Issues for 2024 Voters: A Closer Look

  • AP VoteCast finds economy, immigration, and democracy as top voter concerns.
  • Trump favored on the economy and immigration; Harris leads on abortion rights.
  • 8 in 10 voters want significant changes in national leadership.
  • Many worry about the U.S. shifting toward authoritarianism if Trump returns.
  • Roughly 6 in 10 voters feel the current economy is poor or inadequate.

Deep Look

Voters in the 2024 presidential election emphasized the economy, immigration, and the preservation of U.S. democracy as the most important issues, according to an expansive AP VoteCast survey that captured the sentiments of over 110,000 Americans. As voters weighed their options between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, the survey reflects widespread frustration and an urgent desire for change. Both candidates presented contrasting paths for the country, with Trump focusing on economic reforms and immigration, and Harris addressing reproductive rights and a more progressive vision for the future.

Economy and Immigration Top Voter Concerns

Approximately 4 in 10 voters identified the economy and jobs as their top concerns, reflecting lingering frustration over inflation that first surged in 2022. Higher costs of essentials—groceries, housing, and gas—have kept the economy front and center for many Americans. Trump positioned himself as the candidate to tackle these issues, holding a significant advantage over Harris in voter perceptions of economic competency. He emphasized tariffs and increased oil production as solutions to boost the economy, pledging to make the U.S. more self-sufficient.

Harris, meanwhile, challenged Trump’s approach, arguing that tariffs would further drive up inflation. She instead proposed targeted tax relief for families, support for new homebuyers, and financial assistance for startup founders. Despite Harris’s appeals, many voters still gave Trump the edge on economic matters.

Immigration was also a leading concern for 2 in 10 voters, making it the second-most-cited issue. Trump and his supporters blamed the Biden-Harris administration for an increase in illegal border crossings, framing immigration as a national security and economic burden. Harris responded by underscoring a balanced approach, emphasizing the need for legal immigration reforms while maintaining border security. However, on immigration, Trump’s hardline stance earned him stronger support among voters.

Future of Democracy a Leading Motivation

While economic and immigration concerns were high, an even larger portion of voters—about half—said the future of democracy influenced their vote most. This concern surpassed specific issues like inflation, border security, abortion, and free speech, indicating a profound worry over the state of American governance.

Many voters cited fears of authoritarianism, particularly regarding Trump’s history of disputing the 2020 election and his subsequent role in the January 6 Capitol attack. Roughly 6 in 10 voters expressed concerns that a Trump presidency could lead the country toward authoritarianism, given his tendency to challenge democratic norms and his rhetoric toward political opponents. Harris sought to capitalize on these fears, positioning herself as a candidate committed to safeguarding democratic principles.

Stark Divides on Reproductive Rights and National Vision

Harris held a significant lead over Trump on the issue of abortion, a critical point in the campaign after the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Harris advocated for nationwide access to reproductive healthcare as a matter of personal freedom, describing it as a fundamental right that impacts women’s autonomy. Trump, however, argued that abortion policy should be left to individual states, distancing himself from federal involvement.

Throughout the campaign, both candidates’ positions revealed a broader ideological divide, with Harris promoting policies geared toward the future and Trump focusing on a return to his past administration’s values. Harris’s platform included tax breaks for families, funding for affordable housing, and support for entrepreneurs, aiming to address the current economic climate while fostering long-term growth.

Trump, on the other hand, promised a return to his “America First” policies, including tariffs and a reduced reliance on foreign oil, which he argued would revitalize the economy. Trump’s rhetoric, however, raised concerns among voters about a potential drift toward authoritarianism, with his emphasis on punishing political opponents and consolidating executive power.

Calls for Significant Change

A unifying sentiment among voters was a desire for change in the country’s direction. The AP VoteCast survey found that 8 in 10 voters wanted “substantial change” in government, including nearly a quarter who expressed a desire for “complete and total upheaval.” However, the candidates’ visions for that change were drastically different, leading to a divided electorate.

Harris, who became the Democratic nominee in July after Biden’s unexpected exit from the race, presented herself as a progressive force focused on addressing systemic issues like healthcare access and economic inequality. As the first woman of color to run on a major party ticket, she represented both continuity with Biden’s policies and a new era of representation.

Trump, who survived two assassination attempts and faced multiple legal challenges during the campaign, positioned himself as the seasoned leader ready to restore order. Despite his polarizing influence, Trump attracted voters nostalgic for his previous term and skeptical of Harris’s relatively short time in top-level national politics. Approximately one-quarter of voters felt Harris was untested, contrasting sharply with Trump’s image as a former president.

Voter Frustrations and Economic Discontent

Economic discontent remained high in this election. About 6 in 10 voters described the current economy as “not so good” or “poor,” a figure similar to voter sentiment four years ago during the pandemic recovery period. Although the economy showed signs of stabilization post-pandemic, inflation, compounded by supply chain issues and the global impact of the Ukraine conflict, has strained household budgets.

Two-thirds of voters expressed deep concern about the cost of food and groceries, while half pointed to healthcare, housing, and gas prices as areas of significant worry. About 3 in 10 voters said their personal finances were falling behind, marking an increase in financial strain since 2020.

Concerns About Trump’s Rhetoric and Harris’s Experience

Both candidates faced unique challenges regarding voter confidence. Harris, who rose to the Democratic nomination relatively quickly, was seen by some as inexperienced, with around one-quarter of voters labeling her as untested. Her ascent to the top of the ticket came as Biden withdrew, partly due to concerns about his age, adding to questions about her readiness.

Trump’s fiery rhetoric and his history of refusing to concede the 2020 election have led many voters to view him as a potential threat to democratic norms. Nearly 6 in 10 voters worried that another Trump term could steer the U.S. closer to authoritarianism, with some viewing his strongman approach as reminiscent of leaders with unchecked power. Although fewer voters expressed similar fears about Harris, her opponents questioned her readiness and pointed to her lack of presidential experience as a risk.

National Divisions and the Future

The 2024 presidential election underscored deep divisions among Americans, with economic and social issues driving much of the public discourse. Voters showed a strong preference for significant changes in government, yet stark disagreements remained over what form those changes should take. As the final votes are counted, the next administration will likely face pressure to address these concerns, balancing demands for stability, economic recovery, and a commitment to democratic principles.

The AP VoteCast survey’s findings highlight a divided electorate, with many Americans concerned about the economy and the direction of democracy, pointing to continued polarization as the country moves forward.

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