In the upcoming 2024 Presidential election, voters’ perceptions of each candidate and their impact on the economy could be critical in determining the outcome. According to a recent CBS News and YouGov poll, most voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin consider the economy as a critical factor in deciding who they will vote for.
In Michigan, 80% of voters consider the economy a top issue, followed by 77% who say inflation is important, and 72% who care about the state of democracy. While President Joe Biden holds a slim lead over former President Donald Trump in Michigan, these findings suggest that economic concerns are still a significant factor in voters’ decisions.
Similarly, in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, 80% of voters also rank the economy as a key issue in this election. While other less prominent topics include candidates’ positions on gun policy, crime, the U.S.-Mexico border, and abortion, it is clear that economic indicators like low unemployment, wage growth, and a robust stock market have not entirely convinced people to rate the economy as “good.”
According to CBS News chief election and campaign correspondent Robert Costa, it is a complex question with complex answers when it comes to how voters interpret the economy and what issues they want addressed to improve their economic situation. Democrats are focusing on appealing to labor voters by emphasizing economic issues to counter Trump’s influence. They are aware of Trump’s message on immigration resonating with certain voters and are strategizing to address these concerns through economic policies targeted at labor issues.
Overall, while economic indicators may suggest that things are improving for some people economically speaking-it seems clear that this perception does not extend across all voter groups.
