On November 5th, Americans will head to the polls to choose their next president. The race will look familiar: the main contenders are the same as in 2020. Joe Biden, the incumbent, faced no serious challenge for the Democratic nomination, but a poor debate performance in June has led some Democrats to question his suitability, casting doubt on his candidacy. His predecessor, Donald Trump, easily defeated a crowded field in the Republican primary.
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Both candidates are widely unpopular. Mr. Biden’s tenure has been marked by high inflation, significant industrial-policy bills, and international unrest, with concerns about his age persisting. Mr. Trump’s supporters attempted to overturn his 2020 election defeat; he faces federal charges for his alleged involvement in that effort and has a felony conviction related to his 2016 campaign. This election is likely to be more about which candidate Americans view as the lesser of two evils. Our election forecast indicates the likelihood of each candidate winning a second term.
Below, you can find the latest polls, with dates of the most recent responses. Stay informed with our new daily update, The US in brief. For information on other elections, check out our British election tracker and more at our election tracker hub.
The candidates:
Joe Biden: At 81, Joe Biden will become the oldest major-party presidential candidate in history, surpassing his own record from 2020. Biden first secured a Senate seat at 30 and held it for over three decades. After unsuccessful presidential campaigns in 1988 and 2008, he served as Barack Obama’s vice president. Known for his centrist Democratic stance, Biden has advocated for state expansion and union support during his presidency. He has also spearheaded an international coalition backing Ukraine against Russia’s invasion. Though he pledges to “finish the job” if re-elected, many voters fear that the job might overwhelm him.
Donald Trump: Donald Trump’s extraordinary campaign follows his equally remarkable tenure as America’s 45th president, which ended shortly after his supporters launched an armed attack on the Capitol. His alleged involvement in instigating the attack and attempting to overturn the 2020 election results has led to two criminal indictments, one in federal court and another in Georgia state court. Additionally, he faces two more indictments, bringing the total to 91 felony charges. The 78-year-old denies any wrongdoing. Mr. Trump, a self-proclaimed billionaire, made (and lost) much of his fortune in real estate before becoming a reality-TV star. His current campaign blends familiar culture-war issues, such as building a border wall and opposing “left-wing gender insanity,” with new grievances against the lawyers prosecuting his cases and the judges presiding over them.
