Roanoke College Poll: Harris Strengthens Position in Virginia Ahead of 2024 Elections

The Roanoke College Poll indicates Vice President Kamala Harris leads Donald Trump by 10 points in Virginia (51% to 41%), with Tim Kaine also ahead of Hung Cao in the Senate race (51% to 40%). Key issues identified by voters include the economy, abortion, and immigration. Only 2% of respondents remain undecided, and a large majority express confidence in their voting choices as election day approaches.

A recent Roanoke College Poll indicates that Vice President Kamala Harris has expanded her lead over former President Donald Trump in Virginia, holding a 10-point advantage (51% to 41%). The poll, conducted by the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research (IPOR) from October 25 to October 29, 2024, surveyed 851 likely registered voters in the state before Trump’s campaign rally in Salem. Despite minimal support for independent candidates Cornel West (2%) and Chase Oliver (2%), and Green Party candidate Jill Stein (1%), Harris’s dominance in the poll appears firm. In the concurrent U.S. Senate race, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine leads Republican challenger Hung Cao by a similar margin of 51% to 40%. The poll reports that only 2% of voters remain undecided, while 47% express certainty about their voting intentions, and 40% have already cast their ballots. Among those yet to vote, 85% are very certain of their choice, and 66% express high enthusiasm about participating in the election. Respondents identified the economy as the paramount issue (43%), followed by abortion (20%) and immigration (12%). While voters trust Harris over Trump on abortion (57% to 36%), their perspectives on other issues show near parity, including immigration and crime. Notably, 46% of respondents feel Harris understands and cares about their concerns compared to only 37% who feel the same about Trump. Virginia’s political landscape remains stable, with 46% believing the state is on the right track, whereas 64% view the country as heading in the wrong direction—although this figure improved slightly since August. Favorability ratings for both Trump (38% favorable) and Biden (37% favorable) remain negative, while Harris’s ratings have slightly improved to 45%. Kaine enjoys a positive 39% favorability and Hung Cao’s rating is more favorable than unfavorable at 28%. According to Dr. Harry Wilson, senior political analyst for IPOR, Harris has gained traction in key demographics, including 95% support from Democrats and 49% from independents, highlighting the challenges Trump faces in securing a victory in Virginia given the current voter sentiment.

This article reflects the findings of the Roanoke College Poll as the 2024 elections approach, detailing the political climate in Virginia. It illustrates the electoral landscape, particularly focusing on the Democratic candidates’ leads against their Republican opponents. The poll captures voter sentiments on key issues, candidate favorability, and potential impact on election outcomes, marking this survey as one of the latest indicators of voter preferences prior to the elections.

In summary, the Roanoke College Poll reveals Kamala Harris’s significant lead over Donald Trump among likely voters in Virginia, along with Tim Kaine’s comfortable position in the Senate race against Hung Cao. The data highlights key voter concerns, sentiment towards candidates regarding understanding and responsiveness, and overall voter enthusiasm heading into the election. With a precariously low number of undecided voters, the findings suggest a challenging path for Trump in Virginia.

Original Source: www.roanoke.edu