Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump narrowly leads over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the latest poll by The New York Times/Siena College. Trump is ahead by just one point, with 48 percent of voters backing him, compared to 47 percent for Harris. The poll, conducted nationwide with 1,695 respondents, has a margin of error of 2.8 points, making the race effectively a statistical tie.
This new data comes as enthusiasm among Democrats surged following President Joe Biden’s unexpected decision to step aside from the 2024 presidential race in July, endorsing Harris to lead the party.Despite the bump in Democratic momentum, polls remain tight, with Harris and Trump alternating between narrow leads or tying in recent surveys.
FiveThirtyEight, which ranks pollsters based on accuracy and methodology, named Times/Siena as the most reliable in the nation. Polling averages currently reflect a tight race, with most showing Harris holding a slim national lead.
Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung told Newsweek, “Polling shows President Trump is dominating both nationally and in the battleground states because voters want a return to pro-America policies that actually work, not the weak, failed, and dangerously liberal policies of Comrade Kamala.”
As national averages give Harris a slight advantage, the race is expected to come down to key battleground states like Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. In recent swing state polling, Harris holds a narrow lead in Michigan and Wisconsin, while the two candidates are tied in Pennsylvania.
The tight polling sets the stage for a crucial moment on Tuesday night when Harris and Trump are set to debate on ABC News. With nearly 28 percent of voters indicating they need to know more about Harris, the upcoming face-off could significantly influence the race.