Less than seven weeks before the U.S. presidential election on November 5th, the latest national polls released on Thursday (September 19th) show that Vice President Harris and former President Donald Trump are neck and neck in terms of support across the United States, with Pennsylvania’s election particularly tight.
In a survey following last week’s debate, potential voters and registered voters gave higher ratings to Vice President Harris. However, the survey results indicate that the two candidates are still evenly matched, especially in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania.
According to surveys conducted by The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Siena College from September 11th to 16th, both Harris and Trump garnered 47% support among 2,437 likely voters, resulting in a dead heat. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.
According to The New York Times survey, in Pennsylvania, Harris maintains a 4-point lead, leading with 50% to Trump’s 46%, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.
An independent survey by The Washington Post also found intense competition between the candidates in the state. Pennsylvania, along with Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, are considered seven key battleground states that could determine the outcome of the November election.
In a survey conducted from September 12th to 16th among 1,003 potential voters and registered voters in Pennsylvania, 48% indicated they would vote for Harris, while 47% stated they would vote for Trump. The difference is within the margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.
Most interviewees told The Washington Post that they felt “extremely motivated” to vote and believed that protecting American democracy was “extremely important.” However, opinions differ on which candidate would better protect the country’s freedoms, with 48% choosing Harris and 45% choosing Trump.
The surveys conducted by The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Siena College also found that American democracy is a major concern for voters, alongside the economy, abortion, and immigration, with preferences for the two candidates remaining largely unchanged.