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Race Tied: Harris, Trump Split Evenly At 47% In Final CNN Poll
In the final CNN/SSRS poll ahead of the 2024 election, the presidential race remains a dead heat, with both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump drawing 47% of support among likely voters.
The poll underscores the highly polarized nature of this year’s election, with both candidates maintaining steady support throughout a shortened and intense campaign.
Stable Support Throughout the Campaign
CNN’s polling has consistently shown a tight contest between Harris and Trump. In September, likely voters split at 48% for Harris and 47% for Trump, echoing today’s figures.
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Even over the summer, shortly after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed Harris, the candidates’ numbers remained close. In that survey, Trump held a narrow edge with 49% support from registered voters, compared to Harris’s 46%.
This election marks a departure for Trump, who has not trailed outside the margin of error in CNN polling since Biden’s departure from the race.
In his previous campaigns, Trump regularly trailed his opponents by larger margins at different points in the election cycle.
Few Undecided Voters, Deep Commitment to Candidates
The poll shows that 85% of likely voters made up their minds early about which party they would support, with just 15% switching their choice along the way.
As the campaign draws to a close, only 2% of likely voters remain undecided, while another 9% say they could still change their minds. Voters who have locked in their decisions are nearly evenly divided, with 50% backing Harris and 49% Trump.
Those open to switching tilt slightly toward Trump and include a larger share of minor-party and independent candidates (38% Trump, 31% Harris, 30% other).
Motivation among voters also varies. Among those committed to their candidate, 70% are “extremely motivated” to vote, compared to just 27% among those who might change their minds.
Harris Leads Among Early Voters, Trump Gains Among Election Day Voters
The poll, conducted October 20-23, highlights a significant trend as early voting and absentee ballots are underway.
About 20% of likely voters report having already cast their ballots, and among them, 61% support Harris while 36% support Trump.
However, among those who have yet to vote, Trump holds a 50% to 44% edge.
Mixed Reviews of Biden Presidency and Public Mood
The election season is unfolding amid negative views on President Biden’s term and a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction with the country’s direction.
Nearly half (49%) say they are worse off financially than a year ago, a notable rise from 41% who said the same earlier this year. Only 32% believe things in the U.S. are going well—a low not seen since 2008, when the country was in economic crisis.
Biden’s approval ratings are also underwater at 36%, while 64% disapprove. Among likely voters who disapprove of Biden’s performance, 19% say they will support Harris—a level of loyalty rare for vice presidents running for the top office.
Favorability Challenges for Both Candidates
Registered voters view both candidates unfavorably overall, with Harris holding a 41% favorability rating and Trump close at 41%, both with higher unfavorable ratings (52% for Harris, 54% for Trump).
The candidates’ running mates, JD Vance for Trump and Tim Walz for Harris, are less familiar to the public, with Walz viewed evenly (34% favorable, 34% unfavorable) and Vance viewed more negatively (33% favorable, 43% unfavorable).
Harris supporters are mostly motivated by a positive view of her (54%), though 45% are voting mainly to oppose Trump—a figure that has grown by 5 points since September.
Trump’s base is more consolidated, with 73% saying their vote is to support him directly rather than to oppose Harris.
Voter Opinions on Candidate Qualities and Issue Handling
Voters give Harris an edge on qualities like caring about people (43% Harris, 37% Trump), honesty and trustworthiness (41% Harris, 29% Trump), and putting the country’s interests above her own (45% Harris, 39% Trump).
Trump, however, holds a lead on delivering change (44% Trump, 38% Harris) and sharing voters’ vision for the country (43% Trump, 39% Harris).
Notably, 29% of voters believe neither candidate is honest, with those voters breaking for Trump 58% to 25%.
Harris, meanwhile, leads among voters who say neither candidate would bring necessary change (52% Harris to 23% Trump).
Voters remain divided on Trump’s temperament (56% cite it as a reason to vote against him) and the criminal charges he faces (51% cite as a concern).
Harris is viewed more positively on these fronts, with 45% citing her temperament as a reason to vote for her.
Trump’s record as president is seen nearly evenly as a reason to vote for (45%) or against him (43%), and he maintains a positive perception for his business record.
Key Issues Show Sharp Divides
Trump holds a strong lead on handling the economy (50% to Harris’ 37%) and immigration (50% to 34%), while Harris is more trusted on abortion (52% to 31%) and protecting democracy (45% to 41%).
Voters who see abortion as a deciding factor rose to 31% this poll, compared to 26% who view immigration the same way.
Demographic Divides and Congressional Outlook
Harris leads with women (50% to 44%), younger voters under 35 (51% to 41%), and people of color, including a wide 79% to 13% lead among Black voters. Suburban voters lean Harris by a narrow 52% to 44%, especially suburban women (55% to 41%).
Trump is supported by men (51% to 45%), white voters (55% to 41%), rural communities (64% to 31%), and those who did not vote in 2020 (50% to 40%). White voters without a college degree back Trump 62% to 34%, while those with a degree are nearly split.
Looking toward Congress, the poll shows no clear advantage, with 48% supporting the Republican candidate in their district compared to 45% for Democrats.
The CNN/SSRS poll was conducted online and by phone October 20-23, surveying 1,704 registered voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 3.2 percentage points for the full sample and 3.1 points for likely voters.
In a controversial move, Republican Representative Andy Ogles has introduced a resolution aimed at amending the U.S. Constitution to permit former and current President Donald Trump to run for a third term in office.
The proposal, announced on Thursday, seeks to revise the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms.
Ogles argued that Trump is uniquely equipped to address the nation’s challenges and lead a turnaround for the United States.
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“No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than three times,” Ogles said in his statement. “He has proven himself to be the only figure in modern history capable of reversing our nation’s decay and restoring America to greatness. He must be given the time necessary to accomplish that goal.”
The congressman also underscored the importance of giving Trump the tools needed to address what he described as damage caused by the Biden administration.
“We must provide Trump with every resource necessary to correct the disastrous course set by the Biden administration,” he added.
“He is dedicated to restoring the republic and saving our country, and we, as legislators and as states, must do everything in our power to support him.”
The resolution calls for a constitutional amendment to modify the 22nd Amendment, which was ratified in 1951 following Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four-term presidency from 1933 to 1945.
Roosevelt’s extended time in office spurred fears of presidential overreach, leading to the adoption of term limits.
Trump, who won the 2024 presidential election and returned to office, has previously downplayed the idea of seeking a third term.
However, during a conversation with Republican lawmakers, he humorously alluded to the possibility.
“I suspect I won’t be running again unless you do something,” Trump said. “Unless you say, ‘he’s so good, we have to just figure it out.’”
Ogles lauded Trump’s actions during his second term, citing executive orders aimed at securing the southern border, restricting gender identities to male and female, boosting energy production, and withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization.
These measures, according to Ogles, demonstrate Trump’s ability to restore America’s standing and address critical issues.
The 22nd Amendment, proposed in 1947 and ratified four years later, was designed to uphold the principle of limited presidential terms first established by George Washington, the nation’s first president.
Washington voluntarily stepped down after two terms, warning against any president serving so long as to resemble a monarch or dictator.
Republicans currently hold a slim three-seat majority in the House of Representatives, but amending the Constitution is a daunting task.
The proposed amendment would require approval from two-thirds of both the House and Senate, as well as ratification by three-fourths of the states—a high bar in today’s deeply divided political climate.
While Ogles’ proposal is unlikely to succeed, it reflects the enduring loyalty Trump commands among his supporters and within the Republican Party.
The resolution has already drawn criticism from opponents who argue it undermines democratic principles, while supporters insist it is necessary to allow Trump to complete what they view as his mission to “restore America’s greatness.”
Bangkok authorities closed more than 350 schools on Friday due to hazardous air pollution, marking the largest mass closure since 2020.
This comes as the Thai capital was ranked the world’s seventh-most polluted major city, according to air quality monitor IQAir.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) announced that 352 schools across 31 districts were shut down to protect students from the worsening air quality.
By Friday morning, PM2.5 pollutant levels — fine particles small enough to enter the bloodstream — reached 108 micrograms per cubic meter, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 15 micrograms for daily exposure.
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Air pollution in Southeast Asia typically spikes during the colder months, as stagnant air combines with smoke from crop burning and vehicle emissions.
Authorities reported that this week’s pollution levels were among the highest in years, prompting measures not seen since the pandemic.
On Thursday, more than 250 schools in Bangkok were already closed, and city officials urged residents to work from home while restricting heavy vehicles from entering the capital.
The Interior Ministry has also banned the agricultural practice of stubble burning, threatening legal action against offenders.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, speaking from the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, called for urgent measures to combat the crisis, including limiting construction projects and cooperating with neighboring countries.
Both Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City and Cambodia’s Phnom Penh also ranked among the world’s top 10 most polluted cities on Friday, with their governments facing mounting pressure to address air quality concerns.
Despite international attention, Cambodian authorities downplayed the issue, stating that their air quality remained within acceptable levels.
“Other countries have their own standards. Cambodia has our own standard to determine the air quality,” said Environment Ministry spokesperson Khvay Atitya.
In a historic move, Turkey’s national flag carrier, Turkish Airlines, has resumed flights to the Syrian capital Damascus after a 13-year suspension.
The first flight, carrying 349 passengers, departed from Istanbul International Airport on Thursday morning, according to Turkey’s state news agency Anadolu.
The resumption of flights marks the end of a pause dating back to April 2012, when the airline suspended operations due to the onset of the Syrian civil war.
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The decision comes as relations between the two nations improve and reflects a growing trend of Syrians returning to their homeland after years of displacement.
Turkey, which hosts approximately 3 million Syrian refugees—the highest number worldwide—has witnessed many Syrians preparing to return home.
Anadolu reported that several passengers on Thursday’s flight were traveling to Syria for the first time in over a decade.
“I feel like I’m in a dream,” said Ahmet Kiraz, a passenger who had lived in Turkey since 2012. Kiraz expressed his disbelief at finally being able to return home, a moment he had thought might never come.
Images from the scene showed travelers boarding the plane with the Syrian flag draped across their shoulders, a symbol of both pride and a longing for their homeland.
Turkish Airlines announced plans to operate three flights per week to Damascus, with further details expected to be disclosed later in the day.
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