In the first wave of exit polls from CNN on election night, political director David Chalian said the top issues driving voters to the polls are the economy, racial inequality, and the coronavirus.
The data found that the economy was the single most important factor driving voters to the polls on Election Day. Early exit polls offer a first glance at what issues matter to voters but are typically regarded with a healthy dose of skepticism.
“The most important issue for your vote? Thirty-four percent of voters in this election say the economy, followed by racial inequality. 21% said that, followed by coronavirus at 18% of voters who said that,” Chalian said at 5 p.m. EST.
CNN pollsters asked nearly 5,000 absentee and early voters conducted via phone and noted that the polls have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.
Chalian added that “crime and safety” and “healthcare policy” were found to be of lower importance to voters.
CNN found the country split on the way forward following almost a year of rolling restrictions to address the coronavirus pandemic.
“Forty-eight percent said U.S. efforts to contain the coronavirus are going well,” Chalian said. “Fifty-one percent, a slim majority, say efforts to contain the virus are going badly.”
“Nearly 7 in 10 voters in this election tell us it is more of a public health responsibility,” Chalian said. “Only 30% of voters in this election saying it is a personal choice.”
Chalian noted that there was “a slight increase of first-time” voters, up to 13% of the electorate from 10% in 2016.
CNN also found that only 4% of the country’s electorate chose a candidate during the final week of the race.
