Harris, Trump Nearly Even in Final Stretch of 2024 Race, NYT/Siena Poll Reveals

Republican candidate Donald Trump and Democratic rival Vice President Kamala Harris are nearly tied as the election approaches its final weeks, based on a recent national poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena College.

The survey, released on Sunday, shows Trump leading Harris by a single percentage point, 48%-47%. This difference falls within the poll’s three-point margin of error, making it likely that either candidate could secure a win in the upcoming November election.

Despite a somewhat tumultuous phase following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the race in July, recent polling suggests that Trump’s core support remains steadfast.

Interestingly, the poll reveals that many voters feel they require additional information about Harris. Specifically, 28% of likely voters expressed a need to learn more about her, whereas only 9% felt the same about Trump, indicating that voter perceptions of Trump are largely established.

The upcoming presidential debate on Tuesday is seen as a pivotal opportunity for Harris to elaborate on her policy plans as she engages with Trump for 90 minutes. Given the close race, even a slight advantage for either candidate could be crucial.

Since stepping into the lead of the Democratic ticket, Harris has actively campaigned but has limited unscripted appearances and kept her media interviews to a minimum.

The latest polling figures align closely with the previous New York Times/Siena College survey from late July, which also indicated Trump was one percentage point ahead, again well within the margin of error.

Furthermore, polls from seven key swing states have consistently indicated an ultra-close competition that could sway the outcome of the election.