A recent survey conducted by the Economist/YouGov has revealed a surprising preference among independent voters, with a significant majority favoring former President Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris as their preferred choice for president.
The survey, which polled 1,555 U.S. adults from August 25-27, 2024, asked respondents to choose between Trump and Harris as their preferred president. While Harris holds a narrow two-point lead nationally, Trump edges out Harris by a single point, with 47% of respondents preferring him as president compared to 46% for Harris.
However, the results take a dramatic turn when looking at independent voters, who prefer Trump by a 12-point margin. A significant 49% of independents say they would prefer Trump as president, while only 37% prefer Harris. Another 13% of independents remain undecided, stating they prefer both equally.
These findings coincide with a notable shift in independent voters’ sentiments, with many swinging back in Trump’s favor. When asked who they think will win the presidential election, Trump again holds a slight edge over Harris, with 37% of respondents believing he will emerge victorious compared to 36% for Harris.
Among independents, 38% believe Trump will win, while 23% think Harris will take the presidency. A significant 39% of independents remain uncertain, stating they are “not sure” who will win. The survey was conducted prior to Harris’s recent CNN interview, in which she defended her lack of action on inflation and price control, citing the need for economic recovery.
