Harris and Trump remain close in Michigan, new poll shows

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump continue to run a close race in Michigan with about 70 days to go until the election, a new poll released Thursday shows.

A survey conducted by Emerson College Polling, The Hill and WOOD TV8 in swing states found that 50% of Michigan voters polled said they intended to vote for Harris and 47% said they would vote for Trump. With the poll’s margin of error at plus or minus 3.4%, that’s a statistical tie. Three percent said they would vote for someone else or were undecided.

The poll showed Harris performing better with independent voters (46% compared to Trump’s 43%), women (56% compared to 41%) and voters under the age of 30 (62% compared to 32%). Trump performed better among men, with 54% supporting him over Harris (43%).

An Emerson College Polling survey conducted just after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race had Trump with one point over Harris, also a statistical tie because the poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4%. Another poll from the Cook Political Report Swing State Project from earlier this month showed Harris with a 3-point lead over Trump in Michigan, again a statistical tie considering the poll’s margin of error of plus or minus 4.9%.

Both campaigns have been scheduling appearances and rallies in Michigan, knowing how important it is. They hope taking the state in conjunction with Wisconsin and Pennsylvania will earn them the White House. The website 270toWin shows all three of the key states, plus Arizona, Georgia and Nevada, are considered tossups.

In the campaign to represent Michigan in the U.S. Senate, the survey found U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin had a six-point lead over former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, with 47% saying they would vote for Slotkin, a Democrat, and 41% saying they would choose Rogers, a Republican. About 12% were undecided. Rogers and Slotkin are vying to replace U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat, who is retiring after 24 years in the seat.

The most important issue to Michigan residents remained the economy, with 44% saying that was their top concern. Eleven percent said their primary concern was threats to democracy and 10% said it was affordable housing.

Emerson College Polling surveyed 800 people in Michigan between Monday and Wednesday.

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