In the last month leading up to the U.S. presidential elections scheduled for November 5, 2024, voters are faced with a range of social, cultural, and economic issues that may influence the election results in various ways. These issues vary from the most pressing concerns for voters to less urgent matters, including examples such as the economy, healthcare, education, immigration, abortion, gender equality, and more.
Nine Issues:
In this context, we can highlight the nine key social, economic, and cultural issues that will determine the attitudes of American voters in the upcoming presidential election:
Working-Class Issues: The economy remains the most important issue for the majority of American voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election. According to a Gallup poll conducted in October 2024, 52% of voters consider the economy “extremely important” in determining their choices. Among supporters of Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump, 93% view the economy as the most crucial issue, while 68% of supporters of Democratic candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris share that perspective. The key concerns for voters, particularly from the working class, include high inflation rates, low wages, and rising living costs. A Kaiser Family Foundation poll revealed that inflation remains the top concern for female voters, especially among Black and Latina women, with 51% and 41%, respectively, stating it as their main worry.
Trump has a significant advantage on this issue, with 55% of voters believing he has better economic policies compared to 45% favoring Harris; this is attributed to his electoral rhetoric focusing on job creation, economic growth, and tax cuts, resonating strongly with working-class voters, especially in swing states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Harris, on the other hand, emphasizes addressing economic inequality through programs targeting Black entrepreneurs and low-income families. The economic challenges faced by communities of color have risen to the forefront of the 2024 elections, with Harris proposing a
A $1 million loan program was launched to support Black entrepreneurs, while SpaceX owner Elon Musk made headlines by pledging to give away $1 million daily to anyone attending Trump rallies, conditioned on their commitment to vote.
Corruption Allegations Against Political Elites: The case of Jeffrey Epstein, the millionaire accused of sex trafficking, casts a shadow over the American elections, despite his death in prison in 2019, which was rumored to be a suicide. Epstein was accused of running a vast network of underage girls for sex, but he did not admit to the charges. Epstein’s case has become a potent symbol of corruption, especially among Republican voters who see it as a reflection of elite misconduct, often linking it to the Democratic Party, given Epstein’s connections to prominent Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton.
According to a Gallup poll, about 40% of American voters identify as independents, with many of them viewing Epstein’s case as indicative of corruption among the political elite. A Harvard Youth Poll revealed that 55% of Gen Z lack trust in government institutions, making this issue particularly impactful among younger voters. Also relevant is the case of American producer and singer Sean “Diddy” Combs, who faces allegations of rape, assault, and sexual harassment; the case implicates individuals associated with the Democratic Party. The Epstein and Diddy cases contribute to a growing sentiment among some voters that corruption is entrenched within the Democratic Party. They are particularly effective in mobilizing right-leaning voters and independents who prioritize transparency and accountability.
Potential for a Female President: According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in September 2023, women believe that having a woman in leadership would be preferable by 11 percentage points more than men. Additionally, a Pew Research survey from 2023 shows increasing support for the idea of a female president; 94% of Americans stated they would vote for her, marking a significant shift compared to 2016 when Hillary Clinton ran for the presidency, where only 80% of voters expressed comfort with the idea of a female president, reflecting the gender biases that have since diminished in the current election cycle.
Position on the Gaza Conflict: The ongoing war in the Palestinian Gaza Strip has gained increasing significance in the 2024 U.S. presidential elections; a Newsweek poll conducted in October 2024 revealed that 66% of Americans prefer ending the war in Gaza. Among political affiliations, 73% of Democrats oppose U.S. support for the Israeli military campaign against Gaza, while 55% of Trump supporters agree.
There has been a notable shift among the Democratic base; a Gallup poll in 2023 showed that 49% of Democrats sympathize with Palestinians, surpassing the 38% who sympathize with Israelis for the first time. This shift is particularly significant in states with large Jewish American populations, such as New York and Florida, where Republicans emphasize the importance of Israel’s security to attract conservative Jewish voters. On the other hand, Arab American voters, particularly in Michigan and Ohio, are becoming more vocal regarding U.S. foreign policy, with Democrats gaining increasing support among these voters. For progressive young voters, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is linked to broader themes of human rights and social justice; they advocate for addressing the root causes of the conflict, such as the blockade of Gaza and the occupation of the West Bank. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in September 2024 indicated that Trump leads Harris slightly on foreign policy, with 51% of voters approving his handling of international disputes compared to 49% for Harris.
Healthcare Issue: Healthcare remains a top concern for voters; increasing costs, insurance accessibility, and recovery after the pandemic dominate discussions. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in September 2024 showed that 76% of Harris supporters view healthcare as a high-priority issue. A slight majority of voters (51%) reported that Harris has an advantage over Trump regarding healthcare policies, compared to 49% for Trump. Healthcare is particularly critical for working families, older Americans who rely on Medicare, and young voters seeking affordable insurance options. Voters in battleground states, especially those with high uninsured rates, pay close attention to candidates’ platforms on healthcare; thus, healthcare emerges as a pivotal factor, as both Trump and Harris seek to win the trust of voters concerned about long-term care, treatment costs, and access to affordable health services.
Education and LGBTQ Rights: Education and LGBTQ issues have become central to cultural debates that form a part of American politics. Discussions around topics like Critical Race Theory—referring to a set of critical views against the existing legal system based on race—and gender identity in schools have intensified, particularly in local elections where these issues resonate deeply with conservative voters. A survey conducted by The Economist and YouGov found that education is a key concern for voters in rural areas, especially women who view it as fundamental to their children’s future. According to a recent Gallup poll, 85% of voters consider education a major issue, ranking it above healthcare. These cultural divides have created distinct voting blocs; conservatives, particularly in rural areas, focus on controlling educational content, while progressive and younger voters support more diverse and inclusive educational systems. With education remaining a pivotal issue in rural areas, it is likely to play a prominent role in shaping the outcomes of the 2024 elections.
Immigration Issue: Immigration remains one of the most divisive issues in American politics, especially following Biden’s administration efforts to reform border policies and reverse many measures instituted by Trump. A 2024 Gallup poll indicated that 54% of voters believe Trump would handle immigration better than Harris. Among Trump supporters, 82% prioritize immigration as a top issue, compared to only 39% of Harris supporters. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll, 13% of female voters identified immigration as the third most important issue after the economy and healthcare. Immigration is particularly critical in border states like Texas and Arizona, where conservative voters favor stricter border enforcement and enhanced law enforcement. For many Republican candidates, the immigration issue is linked to broader concerns about national security and crime. Conversely, Democrats generally support comprehensive reform that includes pathways to citizenship for those seeking it and asylum seekers. In battleground states with large Latino populations, such as Nevada and Florida, immigration remains a key issue that may influence voters across different orientations. A Pew Research Center study highlighted that 77% of Republicans view illegal immigration as a major problem, compared to only 19% of Democrats, illustrating the deep partisan divide. Additionally, the issue of immigration is often tied to crime concerns, with 52% of Republican voters prioritizing crime rates when making political decisions.
Abortion Issue: Abortion has become a central issue again following the Supreme Court decision to overturn “Roe v. Wade” in 2022, which ruled that the U.S. Constitution protects a pregnant woman’s freedom to choose abortion without government restrictions, allowing states to ban the procedure. A Newsweek poll conducted in October 2024 revealed that 53% of voters support the Democratic stance on abortion, compared to 36% who prefer the Republican position. This issue has particularly energized female voters; a Kaiser Family Foundation poll showed that 40% of women under 30 consider abortion their top voting issue, up from just 20% earlier in the year. The “Dobbs v. Jackson” decision, which indicates that the U.S. Constitution does not confer any right to abortion, has mobilized voters, making abortion rights a significant issue in Democratic campaigns, especially in battleground districts. Pew Research surveys indicate that 61% of Americans believe abortion should be legal in most or all cases; this sentiment may propel undecided voters toward Democratic candidates in key swing states. Harris outpaces Trump on this issue, with 55% of voters supporting her stance on abortion, compared to 44% backing Trump.
Democracy Issue: Concerns about the state of democracy and threats to election integrity have become significant issues in the 2024 elections; a recent Gallup poll indicated that 49% of voters regard this as an “extremely important” issue. These fears are particularly prevalent among Democratic voters, who prioritize issues such as voting rights, the quality of judges appointed by candidates to the Supreme Court, and maintaining overall democratic standards. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey, women aged 65 and older consider threats to democracy the most important issue, even more so than inflation and healthcare. Harris and Trump appear equally matched on this front, with 50% of voters expressing confidence in both to handle threats to democracy, according to Pew Research Center findings. This issue is expected to drive voter turnout, especially among seniors and those concerned with preserving democratic institutions.
As the American presidential marathon commences, the most significant issues for voters become apparent, shaping not only campaign strategies but also playing a crucial role in determining election outcomes, ranging from the economy and healthcare to personal issues like abortion and immigration. The ranking of these issues and how each candidate addresses them may be the decisive factor influencing swing states and voter turnout rates. As the race nears its conclusion, these final days could be pivotal in winning the votes of undecided voters and solidifying the electoral path to victory for either side.
