Biden ahead of Trump by largest polling lead this year

A New York Times/Siena College poll conducted using a nationally representative sample of 1,337 registered American voters interviewed over the phone from June 17 to June 22, shows Joe Biden leading President Donald Trump by 14 points. This is the largest margin seen by Biden this year.

Fifty percent of registered voters interviewed stated that they would vote for Biden while 36% said they would give their vote to Trump. Biden is also leading among Independent voters, with 47% of them stating that they would vote for him and 29% stating they would choose Trump.

The biggest support for Biden comes from African American and Hispanic voters, women and voters under the age of 45.

Biden also leads by 22 points among female voters and by 39 points among college educated white women who were interviewed. In comparison, the latter demographic supported Hillary Clinton, Trump’s opponent in the 2016 presidential election, by seven points more than Trump. Among men, Biden leads by three points.

Among registered white voters below the age of 45, 52% stated their support for Biden whereas 30% gave their support to Trump. The same demographic also stated its support of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, with nearly 70% saying that the killing of George Floyd represents a systemic pattern of police brutality towards African Americans. Their opposition towards Trump is also strong with 46% of white voters between the age of 18-29 and 58% of voters between the ages 30-44 view Trump as “very unfavorable” rather than “very favorably."

Trump leads by 19 points among non college educated white voters.

The majority of the voters interviewed are also critical of Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. 58% said they strongly disapprove of Trump’s handling whereas 38% approve. By a 21 point margin, interview participants also stated that the economy should remain closed even if it further harms economic growth, a view that is shared by Biden. The majority of participants also don’t share Trump’s resistance to masks, with 54% of voters stating that they always wear a mask in company and 22% responding that they rarely or never wear a mask.

A majority of 61% of voters disapproved of Trump’s handling of race relations, with 33% approving. Furthermore, 62% of voters interviewed disapproved of his handling of the protests sparked by the killing of Floyd whereas 29% approved.

However, Trump receives narrow approval for his handling of the economy with 50% of voters in favor of his leadership in the area, as opposed to 45%.

Overall, while 50% of the voters interviewed see Biden as a “favorable” candidate, 42% view him “unfavorable.” Trump, on the other hand, inspires greater extremes among voters and is seen as “very unfavorable” by 50% of the voters interviewed and “very favorable” by 27% of voters.

Have a tip or story? Get in touch with our reporters at tips@themilsource.com