Voters who sat out 2020 weigh whether to jump in for Trump or Harris this time
A new focus group of voters who plan to cast ballots this fall — but didn’t participate in the 2020 presidential election — illustrates how both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are leaning on a core message to try to expand the electorate in a close race.
A new focus group of voters who plan to cast ballots this fall — but didn’t participate in the 2020 presidential election — illustrates how both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are leaning on a core message to try to expand the electorate in a close race.
Among these voters, Harris gets a boost because they believe she would protect abortion rights, and some have broader hopes that electing the first female president could send a strong message to the country. But she’s weighed down by a number of important factors: a dim diagnosis of America’s economy, negative views about life during President Joe Biden’s administration and a lack of familiarity with her, which has bred ambivalence and distrust.
It’s different for Trump, one of the best-known political figures on the planet. Some of these voters believe his conduct during his time in office has disqualified him in their eyes, and even some of his supporters fear he’d focus more in a second term on fighting his enemies than on governing.
Still, a majority of the 12 participants in two sessions — part of the NBC News Deciders Focus Group, produced in collaboration with Syracuse University and the research firms Engagious and Sago — are leaning toward Trump for the oldest reason in politics: It’s the economy.
“I am getting older, and the economy is really starting to hit us hard, as well. Just in inflation and costs and the job market, all these things are actually starting to impact me and my family, so it’s definitely feeling like it’s more important this year,” said Ashley S., 34, of Clayton, North Carolina, who said she’s leaning toward Trump — but isn’t positive she’ll end up voting.
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