American voters say US democracy is under threat in exit polls

Nearly three-quarters of American voters say US democracy is under threat, according to exit polls.

The views, compiled by Edison Research, reflect a deep anxiety as the country waits to see who its new leader will be, following a contentious campaign.

Democracy and the economy were ranked as the most important issues, with 35% citing democracy and 31% saying the economy, followed by abortion and immigration at 14% and 11% respectively.

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The poll also found 73% believe democracy is in jeopardy, compared to just 25% who said it is secure. The 2020 election was followed by insurrection at the US Capitol and there has been unease about whether voters will peacefully accept whoever is chosen this year.

The exit polls also underscore the polarisation in the US, with divisions only growing starker as the campaign has worn on. Donald Trump has used increasingly dark and apocalyptic rhetoric, while Kamala Harris has warned a second Trump administration would threaten the very foundations of American democracy.

Ms Harris leads among women, while Mr Trump is more popular among male voters, the exit polls suggest. Research also shows women make up 53% of the electorate – largely unchanged from 52% in 2020.

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The share of voters without a college degree – who prefer Mr Trump – is down slightly, at 57%, compared to 59% four years ago.

Voters also said they trust Ms Harris more on issues of abortion (51% to 44%) but Mr Trump is more trusted to handle immigration (52% to 46%).

Women were more than twice as likely to name abortion as a key issue compared to men (19% of women named it as a priority, compared to 8% of men).

There were less than two percentage points between the candidates on issues of crime and who would be better at handling a crisis.

White men were more likely to favour Mr Trump (59%). But exit polls found the gap for white women was closer, with 51% supporting the Republican candidate and 47% supporting Ms Harris.

Black men and women overwhelmingly supported the Democrat nominee, at 79% and 92% respectively.

And despite comments about Puerto Rico at a Trump rally, 54% of Latino men still seem to support him, according to the polls. Almost two-thirds (62%) of Latino women supported Ms Harris.

The battleground states

While 52 states are theoretically up for grabs, just seven key states could decide the future of the United States.

The exit polls show Ms Harris is viewed more favourably than her Republican opponent in Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina and Georgia – though her ratings remain lower than Biden’s in the 2020 exit polls.

Mr Trump is viewed as more favourable than his opponent in Nevada and Pennsylvania, while the candidates are tied in Arizona.

The preliminary exit poll results are also subject to change as more people are surveyed.

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No matter who wins, history will be made. Ms Harris, 60, would become the first woman, black woman and South Asian American to win the presidency.

Mr Trump, 78, would become the oldest person to be inaugurated, the only president to be impeached twice and the first former president to be criminally convicted. He would also become the first president to win non-consecutive terms in more than a century.