Kamala Harris or Donald Trump—who’s leading? Here's what latest poll results show

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump

Vice President Kamala Harris now leads former President Donald Trump by a narrow margin in the presidential race, according to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll. This marks a significant improvement for Democrats, especially after President Joe Biden and Trump were neck and neck just a month ago before the former stepped aside.

The latest measurement is in line with how Americans viewed Harris in early 2021, when she and Biden first took office.

As Democrats prepare for their national convention in Chicago, Harris holds a slight edge over Trump—49% to 45% among registered voters in a direct matchup. When third-party candidates are factored in, Harris's lead tightens slightly to 47%, with Trump at 44% and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at 5%. This is a notable shift from early July, when Trump led Biden by a point.

Despite the narrow lead, Harris's advantage is not statistically significant due to the margin of error. However, her performance has been buoyed by a surge in satisfaction among Democrats, rising from 20% in July to 60% now. Harris also enjoys stronger support among younger voters and independents compared to Biden.

The dynamics of the campaign shifted dramatically when Biden withdrew from the race in July, endorsing Harris as his successor. The handoff has energized the Democratic base, evident in the enthusiastic crowds Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have attracted.

However, her rival Donald Trump said that Harris is an easier rival than Biden with the Republicans launching an intense campaign discrediting Kamala Harris.

Findings from the Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll also show that Harris surpasses Trump in perceived mental sharpness and physical health—areas where Biden previously lagged. Public opinion on Harris is more favorable than on Trump, particularly regarding personal attributes and specific policy issues like race relations and abortion.

Harris, 59, became the first-ever woman of colour to be on the top of a presidential ticket of a major American political party when Biden withdrew from the race for the White House last month and backed her.

She is also the first ever Indian American to be nominated as presidential candidate of either the Republican or the Democratic Party. Harris’s mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was Indian and her father, Donald Jasper Harris, a Jamaican; both immigrants to the US.

(With inputs from agencies)