The Presidency

Americans are unhappy with the status quo in key areas of U.S. leadership, suggesting this should be a "change" election. Yet Kamala Harris edges out Donald Trump in favorability.

Donald Trump's and Kamala Harris' favorability scores on a 10-point scale are in the lower range for presidential candidates dating back to 1956.

Harris is rated better than Trump on certain character aspects, including likability, while Trump leads on dimensions of leadership strength.

Less than half of voters rate Tim Walz and JD Vance as excellent or good vice presidential choices, similar to recent nominees but subpar historically.

Nearly six in 10 Americans prefer that the presidential election winner be determined by the popular vote rather than the Electoral College.

Both presidential candidates continue to be viewed unfavorably by majorities of Americans, similar to patterns in the 2016 and 2020 elections.

Kamala Harris is enjoying increases in her favorable and job approval ratings, particularly among Democrats.

President Joe Biden's latest 36% job approval rating is the lowest of his presidency.

Americans' confidence in the police has increased eight points since last year, but average confidence across 14 U.S. institutions remains historically low.

Incumbents' approval ratings usually rise among their party's supporters in reelection years. Among independents, the historical pattern is mixed.

Joe Biden and Donald Trump tied in favorability among Americans when rated using a 10-point scale, just before Trump's felony conviction last week. In the 2016 and 2020 campaigns, Trump trailed the Democratic nominee on this measure.

President Joe Biden and Congress continue to earn relatively low job approval ratings from the public.

Seven in 10 Americans say they have given a lot of thought to the election, on par with readings in 2008 and 2020 when voter turnout was high.

Americans continue to lack confidence in key leaders' ability to do the right thing for the economy.

Joe Biden's 38.7% average job approval rating during his 13th quarter in office is essentially unchanged from the previous quarter and is the lowest for any president's 13th quarter historically.

The 2024 election isn't sparking unusually high or low enthusiasm among the American public. Republicans hold a slight enthusiasm edge over Democrats.

Americans are less likely now than in 2020 to think Joe Biden possesses a number of positive personal qualities. He still rates far better than Donald Trump for likability, but much worse than Trump for strong leadership.

Biden's job approval rating is 40%, while ratings of his handling of the economy, foreign affairs and the Middle East situation are below his overall approval.

Majorities are dissatisfied with the United States' global position, think the U.S. is viewed unfavorably and believe world leaders do not respect Biden.

Biden's overall job rating has slipped to 38%, and his ratings on immigration, the Israel-Hamas situation, foreign affairs and the economy are even lower.