Roanoke College Poll: Harris Leads Trump in Virginia Ahead of 2024 Elections
A recent Roanoke College Poll indicates Vice President Kamala Harris leads Donald Trump by 10 points in Virginia, with Tim Kaine ahead of Hung Cao in the Senate race. Most voters express certainty in their choices, with the economy being the most critical issue. While Harris has a favorable edge on abortion, sentiments toward both main candidates remain largely negative.
According to the Roanoke College Poll conducted just days prior to the 2024 elections, Vice President Kamala Harris has significantly increased her lead in Virginia over former President Donald Trump, now at 51% to 41%. The poll, which surveyed 851 likely registered voters from October 25 to 29, 2024, indicates that independent candidate Cornel West and Libertarian Chase Oliver each garnered 2%, while Jill Stein from the Green Party received 1%. In the Senate race, incumbent Democratic Senator Tim Kaine leads Republican challenger Hung Cao with a notable 51% to 40%. Only 2% of voters remain undecided, with 85% of those yet to cast their vote being certain about their choice. The economy emerged as the predominant concern, cited by 43% of respondents, followed by abortion and immigration at 20% and 12%, respectively. Trust in the candidates shows Harris receiving higher marks on abortion (57% to Trump’s 36%) while being viewed similarly on immigration issues. Additionally, public sentiment reflects ongoing challenges with federal leadership, where just 46% believe Virginia is on the right track, and only 38% approve of President Biden’s performance. Trump holds a significantly unfavorable rating of 54%, alongside Biden’s unfavorable rate of 50%. To conduct the survey, respondents were selected through a mixture of text messaging and telephone interviews, ensuring a representative sample of Virginia’s demographic landscape.
The Roanoke College Poll serves as a significant indicator of public sentiment in Virginia just before the 2024 elections, closely monitoring the competitive landscape between key candidates in both the presidential and Senate races. This particular polling round has revealed shifts in voter preferences and highlighted critical issues influencing the electorate. With Virginia being a battleground state in the upcoming elections, understanding the trends and sentiments captured in this poll is crucial for both political analysts and campaign strategists as they evaluate the potential implications for election outcomes. The poll’s methodology and the demographics of respondents reflect a comprehensive approach to gauging voter attitudes in a politically diverse population, allowing for insights into voter motivation and concerns leading into the final days before the election.
The Roanoke College Poll reveals that Vice President Kamala Harris is extending her lead over Donald Trump in Virginia, with a substantial advantage of 10 percentage points. Furthermore, Tim Kaine maintains a solid lead over Hung Cao in the Senate race. The electorate demonstrates strong certainty regarding voting preferences, and key issues reflect concerns about the economy and social matters such as abortion and immigration. Despite Harris’s favorable standing, both major candidates continue to experience unfavorable ratings among voters, highlighting the contentious nature of the political climate as the election approaches.
Original Source: www.roanoke.edu
