Most Americans know full well who they will NOT vote for as president in 2024. Knowing who they will vote for, on the other hand, is not clear to most citizens at the moment.
So says a Monmouth University poll, which pitted the three Republican candidates leading in the polls against a single Democratic Party re-election bid for President Biden. According to this poll, the current occupant of the White House would achieve a narrow victory in each case. What is most notable, however, is that on each occasion, more voters reject a candidate than confide in one.
Biden vs. Trump, a technical tie in terms of rejection
In the event that the election race were to be a rematch of the 2020 race, the indecision is split. In the case of the current president, 52% say they would not vote for him, including 45% who are clear that they would "definitely NOT" cast a ballot with his name on it. Trump beats even these numbers, with 46% who would not vote for him at all and 8% who would "probably" not vote for him either (54% overall). On the other hand, 45% of voters would trust the Democratic candidate, compared to 41% who would bet on the former president.
NATIONAL POLL: In hypothetical 2024 matchup between Biden and Trump, each candidate has been definitely ruled out by nearly half of the potential electorate. Biden’s current support (32% definitely/13% probably) is slightly higher than Trump’s (29%/12%).https://t.co/zlyHlmg1mX pic.twitter.com/sUdyJ2FZt0
— MonmouthPoll (@MonmouthPoll) May 25, 2023
DeSantis is less rejected, but still fewer votes than Biden
If Biden were to run against the governor of Florida, he would win re-election by just 1 point. The president would garner 43% of the vote, compared to 42% for DeSantis. The current president would have a secure voting base (31%) higher than those who would blindly trust the Floridian. The situation is reversed as to who voters say they would avoid. Although, again, the rejection of each of them exceeds 50%, Biden reaches 53% of people who would not vote for him versus 52% for DeSantis. Those who would not vote for DeSantis in any case are, however, significantly less numerous (41%) than those who would not vote for Biden (46%).
NATIONAL POLL: In hypothetical 2024 matchup between Biden and DeSantis, more voters are definite about their support for - and opposition - to the incumbent than the challenger. 46% definitely will NOT vote for Biden and 41% say the same for DeSantis.https://t.co/zlyHlmg1mX pic.twitter.com/ZDy04RfSwz
— MonmouthPoll (@MonmouthPoll) May 25, 2023
Pence vs Biden, a race to the bottom
If measured against Mike Pence, Biden would prevail by two points (42-40). It would be the least attractive proposition for voters, since the number of voters who would be sure to support one candidate drops. Just 27% are dead set on Biden, while Trump's former vice president comes in at 18%. In this electoral ticket, the current president also comes out better in terms of rejection: 52% of voters would not vote for him (46% no way), compared to 54% who do not want Pence (36% no way).
NATIONAL POLL: In hypothetical 2024 matchup between Biden and Pence, fewer voters are definite about their support for (18%) and opposition to (36%) Pence than Biden (27% for and 44% against). https://t.co/zlyHlmg1mX pic.twitter.com/DcshYM6Yua
— MonmouthPoll (@MonmouthPoll) May 25, 2023
