Nearly Half of U.S. Voters Open to Third-Party Candidate for 2024 Presidential Election
A recent poll conducted by Quinnipiac University reveals that almost half of U.S. voters would consider voting for a third-party candidate in the 2024 presidential election. The survey, which included responses from 2,056 adults aged 18 and older, shows that both former President Trump and President Biden remain front-runners among Republican and Democratic voters, respectively.
The poll’s findings indicate that neither President Biden nor former President Trump have received high favorability ratings, leading many voters to consider alternative options. “With neither President Biden nor former President Trump knocking it out of the park on favorability, almost half of the country would consider another option,” said Tim Malloy, Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst.
The survey revealed that 47% of respondents would consider voting for a third-party candidate, while another 47% stated they would not consider it. The remaining 6% did not have a definitive opinion. When breaking down the responses by political affiliation, independents were more likely to consider voting for a third-party candidate, with 64% expressing openness to this option. Among Democrats, 61% said they would not consider it, while 35% were open to the idea. Among Republicans, 57% said they would not consider it, while 38% were open to the idea.
Unsurprisingly, the race for the Republican presidential nomination remains largely unchanged from a previous Quinnipiac University poll conducted on June 14. Former President Trump received 54% support among Republican and Republican-leaning voters. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis followed with 25% support.
The race for the Democratic presidential nomination also remains stagnant from the previous poll. President Biden received 71% support among Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters, making him the clear front-runner. In second place, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is expected to testify before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Weaponization of the Federal Government, garnered 14% support.
With less than 16 months until the next presidential election, various candidates are vying for their parties’ nomination. The bipartisan organization No Labels is actively seeking a potential “unity” ticket for 2024. However, it remains uncertain whether Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, a prominent figure in the Democratic Party, is considering a White House bid or seeking re-election in the Senate.
Notably, there has been speculation among some Democrats supporting President Biden that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may switch to a third-party bid for the presidency. However, Kennedy has firmly stated that he is devoted to the Democratic Party and points to his family’s political legacy.
The Quinnipiac University poll sheds light on the current political climate, where nearly half of U.S. voters are open to electing a third-party candidate in the upcoming presidential election. As the 2024 race unfolds, it will be intriguing to see if any third-party candidates emerge as serious contenders and how their presence may impact the election outcome.
