Changes are anticipated for ballots in battleground states following the end of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential campaign, which could spell trouble for Vice President Kamala Harris. In Nevada, for example, pre-dropout polls had shown Harris leading former President Donald Trump by less than one percent, according to FiveThirtyEight.
With Kennedy previously drawing 4% of the vote in early August, Harris may be at risk of losing the Sun Belt state in November. It’s worth noting, however, that pollsters have often underestimated Trump’s support by several percentage points, as seen in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.
KTNV Las Vegas reported on Wednesday that state election officials have removed RFK Jr. from the November ballot, reducing the options available to voters for president. Kennedy, who endorsed Trump after withdrawing from the race last Friday, had previously qualified for the ballot. He had also publicly clashed with Democratic Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar over allegations of not following state laws in submitting nomination petitions. Additionally, a lawsuit filed by two voters, including Aguilar, had sought to keep Kennedy off the ballot.
RFK Jr. is also doing his part to help shift his voters to Trump. “In about 10 battleground states where my presence would be a spoiler, I’m going to remove my name, and I’ve already started that process and urge voters not to vote for me,” Kennedy told Fox News this week. “Our polling consistently showed by staying on the ballot in the battleground states, I would likely hand the election over to the Democrats, with whom I disagree on the most existential issues.” He added that in states where election officials refuse to remove his name, he is telling supporters there to back the former president.
A recent poll following the Democratic National Convention (DNC) revealed significant shifts in voter sentiment as the 2024 presidential election draws near. The August Voter Omnibus Topline report by Echelon Insights highlights emerging trends that could influence the outcome of the upcoming election and potentially bring a new national leader. The poll isn’t the best news for either candidate, but especially Harris.
One of the most notable findings is the widespread dissatisfaction with the country’s direction. Only 29% of respondents believe the U.S. is on the right track, while a substantial 64% feel the nation is headed in the wrong direction. Economic concerns continue to dominate voters’ priorities as the 2024 election approaches. The poll reveals that the cost of living is the top concern for voters, with 25% citing it as their primary issue. Immigration is a close second at 14%, followed by jobs and the economy at 12%.
The survey also provides insights into the approval ratings of the current administration: President Joe Biden has a job approval rating of 43%, with 55% of respondents disapproving of his performance. Harris has a slightly higher approval rating of 50%, with 48% disapproving. These mixed ratings underscore the challenges facing the Democratic Party as it aims to retain control of the White House.
Voters were split on the overall success of the Biden administration, with 46% rating it as a success and 52% considering it a failure. Despite the nation’s challenges, voter enthusiasm remains high. The poll indicates that 89% of respondents are highly motivated to vote in the November 2024 election, and 77% describe themselves as “extremely motivated.”
