How 2024 Swing-State Voters Feel About the US Economy — In 10 Charts
Democratic President Joe Biden has sought to make his economic agenda, dubbed “Bidenomics,” the centerpiece of a likely rematch against former President Donald Trump. The economy is top of mind for many Americans, according to an inaugural Bloomberg News and Morning Consult poll of swing-state voters, but Biden is facing headwinds in his reelection bid.
The vast majority of voters in seven states likely to decide the outcome of the 2024 US presidential election think the economy is heading in the wrong direction. And Trump is leading Biden in five of those seven states, according to the poll, although his lead in each state is within the margin of error.
Here’s what voters in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin had to say about the US economy.
The economy is the top issue for swing-state voters
More than any other issue, the economy is weighing on voters as they consider how to vote next fall, with the cost of everyday goods and services being the primary concern. Higher-earning voters in swing states were more likely to rank the economy as the most important issue to them ahead of the 2024 election.
What is the single most important issue to you when deciding how to vote in the November 2024 election for US president?
Note: Poll conducted of 5,023 registered voters online, Oct. 5 through Oct. 10. The margin of error is plus or minus 1 percentage point across the seven states.
Source: Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll
How important, if at all, is the economy when deciding who to vote for in the November 2024 election for US president?
Note: Poll conducted of 5,023 registered voters online, Oct. 5 through Oct. 10. The margin of error is plus or minus 1 percentage point across the seven states.
Source: Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll
When thinking about the economy, which of the following factors are most important to your vote in the November 2024 election for US president? You may select up to three.
Note: Poll conducted of 5,023 registered voters online, Oct. 5 through Oct. 10. The margin of error is plus or minus 1 percentage point across the seven states; 3 percentage points in Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania; and 4 percentage points in Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.
Source: Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll
Swing-state voters slightly favor Trump to handle economic issues
When considering the potential frontrunners for the election next year, voters across all seven swing states tend to trust Trump more than Biden to handle economic issues.
Who do you trust more to handle the economy?
Note: Poll conducted of 5,023 registered voters online, Oct. 5 through Oct. 10. The margin of error is plus or minus 1 percentage point across the seven states; 3 percentage points in Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania; and 4 percentage points in Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin.
Source: Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll
Swing-state voters are more optimistic about their local economies than the national outlook
A razor-thin majority of swing-state voters said they were financially better off during Trump’s presidency than they are now, with Americans facing pain at the gas pump and stubbornly high electricity and grocery bills.
One silver lining for Biden’s reelection campaign: Swing-state voters appear to have more conviction in the health of their local economies than they do for the national economy. However, women were more likely to think the economy was going in the wrong direction both locally and in the nation at large.
Generally speaking, would you say the economy in each of the following places is going in the right direction, or is it going off on the wrong track?
Note: Poll conducted of 5,023 registered voters online, Oct. 5 through Oct. 10. The margin of error is plus or minus 1 percentage point across the seven states.
Source: Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll
Nearly half of swing-state voters think ‘Bidenomics’ is bad for the economy
The Biden administration has invested over $1 trillion across three hallmark pieces of legislation — the bipartisan infrastructure law, Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS and Science Act. But Biden has had difficulty selling his economic agenda to swing-state voters — especially to Baby Boomers — who tended to say they don’t approve of “Bidenomics”.
Read More: What is “Bidenomics”? President Biden’s Economic Philosophy, Explained
Do you believe the economic policy of the Biden administration, also known as ‘Bidenomics,’ is good or bad for the economy, or does it have no impact on the economy?
Note: Poll conducted of 5,023 registered voters online, Oct. 5 through Oct. 10. The margin of error is plus or minus 1 percentage point across the seven states.
Source: Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll
Infrastructure investments are popular. Investments in EVs and semiconductors are not
There may be opportunities for the Biden administration to make gains with swing-state voters. They believe the government should play a major role in infrastructure and reducing the cost of necessities like medicine and child care — all considered hallmarks of Biden’s economic policy. Though voters appear to be less sanguine about funding the semiconductor and electric vehicle industries, the trend may indicate that voters have more of an issue with the branding of “Bidenomics” rather than the substance.
In your view, how much of a role should the federal government play in each of the following?
Note: Poll conducted of 5,023 registered voters online, Oct. 5 through Oct. 10. The margin of error is plus or minus 1 percentage point across the seven states.
Source: Bloomberg News/Morning Consult poll