In a new George Washington University Battleground Poll of registered voters released Wednesday, respondents reported feeling reluctant about the upcoming election.
The poll shows that, if the election were held today, 40 percent would vote for Donald Trump and 42 percent for Hillary Clinton. Both are down from April, when 43 percent said Trump and 46 percent said Clinton.
36 percent said it is “very likely” that on election day, they will “[R]eluctantly vote for the candidate of the political party you usually support,” with an additional 23 percent saying it is “somewhat likely.” 13 percent said it is “very likely” or “somewhat likely” they will not vote at all. 18 percent said it is “very likely” or “somewhat likely” they will vote for offices other than that of president. 14 percent said it is “very likely” or “somewhat likely” they will vote for a third party candidate. 45 percent said it is “very likely” or “somewhat likely” they will “vote for candidates from one party for President and for candidates from other parties for other offices.”
The poll reveals that more of those voting for Trump are casting their votes against Hillary than those voting for Hillary are against Trump. Asked their “support for Donald Trump,” 54 percent said it was more of “A vote for Donald Trump,” while 43 percent said it was more of “A vote against Hillary Clinton.”
However, 60 percent of Clinton supporters said their vote for her would be more of “A vote for Hillary Clinton,” while 37 percent said it would be more of “A vote against Donald Trump.”
48 percent reported they would strongly not consider voting for Clinton, with 49 percent saying the same of Trump, 44 percent of Gary Johnson, and 47 percent of Jill Stein. An additional 4 percent said they would “somewhat” not consider voting for Trump or Clinton, 17 percent for Johnson, and 19 percent for Stein. Fewer than 50 percent of respondents said they would “strongly” or “somewhat” consider voting for any one candidate. A total of 47 percent said they would “strongly” or “somewhat” consider voting for Clinton, 46 percent for Trump, 21 percent for Johnson, and 12 percent for Stein.
