In a striking finding from preliminary exit polls, nearly three-quarters of voters in Tuesday’s presidential election expressed concern that American democracy is “under threat,” reflecting the nation’s growing anxiety after a fiercely contested campaign between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump.
The exit polls, conducted by Edison Research, showed that democracy and the economy were the top issues for voters, with about a third of respondents citing each as their main concern. Abortion and immigration followed closely at 14% and 11%, respectively. The data revealed that 73% of voters believed democracy was in jeopardy, compared to just 25% who felt it was secure.
This sentiment underscores the deepening polarization in the U.S., a division that has only widened during this contentious election. Trump has used increasingly dire language, casting doubt on the trustworthiness of the election system, while Harris has warned that a second term for Trump would undermine the foundation of American democracy.
As the results continue to unfold, the preliminary findings represent a small portion of the total electorate, with millions of people having voted both before and on Election Day. The figures could change as more surveys come in throughout the evening.
Women’s Turnout and Voter Demographics
One of Harris’ strategies was to secure a large turnout from women voters, who made up 53% of the electorate, a figure largely unchanged from the 2020 elections. Conversely, 57% of voters lacked a college degree—an electorate that tends to favor Trump, though slightly fewer than in 2020.
As the two candidates headed into the final hours of a grueling campaign, the race remained tight. Voters waited patiently in lines, choosing between two sharply contrasting visions for the future of the country. Trump’s campaign had been rocked by unprecedented events—two assassination attempts, President Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the race, and Harris’ meteoric rise—yet the outcome was still uncertain.
Trump and Harris Head to the Polls
Trump, who has repeatedly claimed without evidence that he won the 2020 election and whose supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, cast his ballot near his home in Palm Beach, Florida. “If I lose an election, if it’s a fair election, I’m going to be the first one to acknowledge it,” he said after voting.
Meanwhile, Harris, who had mailed in her ballot earlier, spent part of the day in radio interviews encouraging voters. She also made a special visit to Howard University in Washington, her alma mater, where she planned to address students and reflect on the significance of the day.
Key Battleground States and Historical Significance
The exit polls indicated Harris had higher favorability ratings than Trump in key battleground states, including Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Georgia—states that will likely determine the election. However, Trump remained more favorable than Harris in Nevada and Pennsylvania, while the two candidates were tied in Arizona.
As the race continued, exit polls revealed crucial insights into voter preferences, highlighting the stark contrast between different demographic groups, such as women vs. men and college-educated vs. non-college-educated voters. These polls are essential in understanding the mood of the nation, even if they may not perfectly align with the final results in swing states.
A Historic Election
Regardless of the outcome, history will be made. If elected, Harris, 60, would become the first woman, Black woman, and South Asian American to hold the presidency. Trump, 78, the only president to be impeached twice, would make history as the first former president to win non-consecutive terms in more than a century.
In addition to the presidential race, control of both chambers of Congress is also at stake. Republicans are favored in the Senate, but the House of Representatives is still a toss-up.
Uncertainty and the Road Ahead
As in 2020, Trump’s campaign has signaled he may declare victory prematurely, even if millions of ballots remain uncounted. This has raised concerns that the final result may not be known for days, especially if the margins in battleground states remain narrow.
In key polling locations, voters expressed clear concerns about issues that affect their lives. For instance, in Dearborn, Michigan, Nakita Hogue and her daughter Niemah Hogue cast their votes for Harris, driven by fears that Republican lawmakers might limit access to reproductive healthcare. “For my daughter, who is going out into the world, I want her to have that choice,” Nakita said.
In Phoenix, Arizona, Felicia Navajo and her husband Jesse Miranda voted for Trump, citing his stance on inflation and immigration. “I want to see good people come to this town,” Miranda said. “People who are willing to work, people who want to live the American dream.”
As America awaits the final results, the 2024 election has once again spotlighted the nation’s deep political divides, with democracy itself at the heart of voter concerns.
