September 19, 2024
U.S. Presidential Contest in Wisconsin, September 2024
Marist Wisconsin Poll
One Point Separates Harris & Trump Among Wisconsin Likely Voters
In Wisconsin, a razor thin margin separates Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump among likely voters statewide, including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate. Harris edges Trump among independents, and the two are competitive among white voters. Harris leads Trump among nonwhites who are likely to vote. A gender gap, comparable, to 2020, exists in Wisconsin.
A razor thin margin separates Harris (50%) and Trump (49%) among likely voters in Wisconsin, including those who are undecided yet leaning toward a candidate. 89% of likely voters with a candidate preference strongly support their choice of candidate for President.
Harris (51%) edges Trump (47%) among independents who are likely to vote. According to the 2020 Exit Poll, President Joe Biden (54%) carried independents by 12 points.
Trump (54%) leads Harris (45%) among likely voters who plan to vote in-person on Election Day while Harris (70%) outpaces Trump (29%) among those who plan to vote by mail or by absentee ballot. Harris (50%) and Trump (50%) are tied among those who say they will vote at an early voting location.
Harris (50%) and Trump (49%) are competitive among white voters. In 2020 Trump carried whites by 6 points. Harris (56%) leads Trump (43%) among nonwhite voters, but Harris falls short of the 73% support Biden received from voters of color in 2020.
Harris receives majority support among GenZ/Millennials (52%), Baby Boomers (54%), and those in the Silent/Greatest generation (55%). Trump has majority support (53%) among GenX.
A 21-point gender gap exists. Women break for Harris (56% to 43% for Trump) while men break for Trump (53% to 45% for Harris).
"Wisconsin is often a pivotal state in the electoral college count," says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of the Marist Institute for Public Opinion. "2024 is no exception and is shaping up to be a tight contest."
Inflation & Preserving Democracy Top Voting Issues in Wisconsin
When thinking about their vote for President, these issues are top of mind for Wisconsin residents:
- 32% say inflation is top of mind when thinking about their vote for President.
- Preserving democracy follows with 27%.
- 17% cite immigration.
- Abortion is the top issue for 10%.
- Health care (7%), crime (3%), and the war in the Middle East (2%) receive single digits.
Honesty, Strength of Leadership, & Positions on Issues are Top Candidate Qualities
When deciding their vote for President, Wisconsin residents say the following candidate qualities are most important:
- Honesty and Trustworthiness receive 25%.
- A candidate who is closest to them on the issues is most important to 21% of Wisconsin residents.
- A strong leader ranks highest for 21%.
- Shared values is most important to 15% of residents statewide.
- A candidate who will bring about change is influential for 15%.
- 2% mention experience.
Trump has the advantage among those who value shared positions on the issues, a strong leader, or a candidate who will bring about change. Harris does better among those who desire a candidate who shares their values or is honest and trustworthy.
Most Voters Know the Candidate They Plan to Support
83% of registered voters statewide say they know which candidate they will support for President and will not change their mind. 13% have a good idea of the candidate they plan to support but may change their mind while 4% have not made a candidate selection.
Nearly three in ten independents have either not made up their mind (8%) or could change their mind (21%) prior to Election Day.
Residents Divide about Harris & Walz Favorability… Trump & Vance with Upside Down Scores
- 46% of adults statewide have a favorable view of Harris. 48% have an unfavorable opinion of her.
- Trump’s favorable score is 45% compared with a 52% unfavorable rating.
- Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz has a 40% favorable rating. 41% have a negative view of him, and 18% have either never heard of or are unsure how to rate Walz.
- Republican vice-presidential candidate J.D. Vance is perceived favorably by 37% of Wisconsin adults to 43% unfavorably. 19% have either never heard of or are unsure how to rate Vance.
Baldwin Edges Hovde in U.S. Senate Race
51% of Wisconsin likely voters say they plan to support Democratic incumbent Tammy Baldwin. 48% support her Republican challenger, Eric Hovde. 77% of likely voters statewide say they strongly support their choice of candidate, including 80% of Baldwin’s supporters and 73% of Hovde’s backers.
Residents Divide about Baldwin’s Favorability… Hovde’s Rating Upside Down, with Lower Name Recognition
- Baldwin’s favorable rating among residents statewide is 45%. Her negative rating is 43%, and 12% have either never heard of her or are unsure how to rate her.
- Hovde’s favorable rating is 36%. 43% view him unfavorably, and 21% have either never heard of him or are unsure how to rate him.
Democrats Edge Republicans on Generic Congressional Ballot
50% of registered voters say they plan to support the Democrat on the ballot in their congressional district. 47% expect to support the Republican. Independents break for the Democrat on the ballot (48% to 43% for the Republican).
Seven in Ten Residents Have Confidence in Electoral Process
70% of adults statewide are very confident or confident in their state and local officials to conduct a fair and accurate election in November. 29% are not very confident or not confident at all in the integrity of the electoral process.
Nearly Two in Three Registered Voters Plan to Vote In-Person
64% of Wisconsin registered voters say they plan to vote in-person on Election Day. 16% think they will vote at an early voting location, and 19% plan to cast a ballot by mail or absentee ballot.
Biden’s Job Approval Rating Upside Down among Wisconsin Adults
39% of residents statewide approve of the job Biden is doing in office. 56% disapprove. 18% of Wisconsin adults strongly approve of how Biden is doing his job compared with 47% who strongly disapprove of his performance.
Methodology
This survey of 1,431 Wisconsin adults was conducted September 12th through September 17th, 2024 by the Marist Poll. Adults 18 years of age and older residing in the state of Wisconsin were contacted through a multi-mode design: By phone using live interviewers, by text, or online. Results for all adults (n=1,431) are statistically significant within ±3.3 percentage points. Results for registered voters (n=1,312) are statistically significant within ±3.5 percentage points. Results for likely voters (n=1,194) are statistically significant within ±3.6 percentage points. Likely voters include registered voters who report they are definitely voting in this year’s election.