Election 2024: Harris Surges Ahead of Trump in Recent Polls

Vice President Kamala Harris has stepped in to replace President Joe Biden on the Democratic ticket just months before the November election. Joining forces with running mate Tim Walz, Harris is now facing off against former President Donald Trump and his vice-presidential pick, JD Vance.

Recent polls suggest Harris may have an edge in this high-stakes race: Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America / Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia

According to FiveThirtyEight's national poll average, Harris currently holds a 2.8-point lead over Trump. This lead appears to be growing, with a Morning Consult poll of 11,778 registered voters on August 12 showing Harris ahead by 3 points. Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia

The battleground states, however, present a more complex picture. A New York Times/Siena College poll conducted as Walz arrived on the campaign trail shows Harris with a four-point lead in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. This marks a significant shift from Biden's previous standing in these crucial swing states. Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia

Yet, a YouGov/CBS poll from early August painted a different picture, suggesting a deadlock between Harris and Trump in the battleground states overall. Trump maintained a slight edge in Georgia and North Carolina, traditionally Republican strongholds. oshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK

Demographically, Harris performs well among young voters, women, and Black voters, with an impressive +68 point lead in the latter group. Mandi Wright / USA TODAY NETWORK

Trump, meanwhile, maintains strong support among male voters, the 45-64 age group, and white voters without college degrees, though his lead in this last category has diminished compared to his matchup against Biden, according to The Independent. David Rodriguez Munoz / USA TODAY NETWORK

Despite Harris's growing momentum, her campaign faces challenges. Polls indicate a potential "personality gap" with voters viewing Trump as a stronger leader even as they rate Harris higher on intelligence and presidential temperament. David Rodriguez Munoz / USA TODAY NETWORK

The vice-presidential picks add another layer of complexity to the race. While it's too early to gauge voter response to Walz, Trump's choice of JD Vance has proven controversial. A late July poll showed Vance has the lowest approval rating of any vice presidential nominee in history, with mixed reactions even among Republicans. Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

As the campaign progresses, both tickets will need to navigate the complicated political landscape and win over undecided voters in key battleground states. With several months until Election Day, this presidential race remains highly competitive and subject to change. Andrew Craft / USA TODAY NETWORK