New York: Vice President Kamala Harris has surged ahead of former President Donald Trump in the latest Yahoo News/YouGov poll, following her strong showing in a recent debate. Harris now leads Trump by five percentage points among registered voters, a notable shift from previous polls.
The poll, conducted after the September 10 debate, surveyed 1,755 U.S. adults. Harris captured 50% of the vote compared to Trump’s 45%, showing significant momentum in her campaign. Even with third-party candidates factored in, she maintains a four-point lead (48% to 44%). Among likely voters, her advantage remains at 49% to 45%.
This development is a breakthrough for Harris, who had been in a close race with Trump in prior polls. The boost in support is closely tied to her debate performance, which swayed critical swing voters.
Gains in Key Demographics
Harris’s rise reflects her increasing appeal among several voter groups. She now wins 95% of the Democratic vote, up from Biden’s 90% in earlier surveys, and has made strides with Latin Americans (+4%), women (+5%), Black Americans (+14%), and voters aged 18-29 (+17%).
Notably, she has flipped independent voters in her favor, now leading Trump by 10 points (47% to 37%) after previously trailing him.
Debate Impact
According to the poll, 56% of those who followed the debate believed Harris won, compared to 26% for Trump. Harris was also seen as more “presidential” (51% to 35%) and “coherent” (50% to 29%) than Trump.
As Harris gains momentum, questions remain on whether this advantage will hold as the election nears. The 2024 US Election is set for November 5.
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