Exit Polls: 40% of Women Under 30 Supported Trump Over Harris

In a surprising turn of events, a significant portion of women under 30 voted for President-elect Donald Trump in the recent presidential election. According to Associated Press (AP) exit polling, reported by the Daily Mail, 40% of women in this age group chose Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, marking a notable shift in voter demographics.

This result underscores a growing divide among young female voters, traditionally seen as a stronghold for the Democratic Party. The election saw Trump secure the highest percentage of voters under 30 for a Republican candidate since 2008, buoyed by his appeal to younger women.

Vice President Kamala Harris made concerted efforts to win over younger voters, particularly women. She appeared on the popular Call Her Daddy podcast and enlisted endorsements from high-profile celebrities like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Her campaign heavily emphasized issues like abortion, warning that a Trump presidency would threaten women’s reproductive rights.

However, these efforts seemed to fall short. While Harris did resonate with some young women, many appeared more concerned with other pressing issues.

Despite Harris’ focus on abortion, only 13% of voters under 30 cited it as their top concern. In stark contrast, 40% of this demographic said the economy was their primary issue. Immigration also played a role, with 11% of young voters identifying it as their main concern.

Trump’s campaign capitalized on these concerns, framing his economic policies as a solution to the financial anxieties facing young Americans. This messaging seemed to resonate, helping him secure a significant share of the Gen Z vote.

Trump’s victory in the 2024 election is historic. He becomes the first president since Grover Cleveland in 1892 to win back the Oval Office after losing a reelection bid. His comeback campaign focused on economic recovery, national security, and immigration reform—issues that appeared to align with the priorities of many young voters.

While Trump made significant inroads with young women, the overall gender gap remained evident. CNN exit polls showed that Harris still led among women voters, holding an eight-point advantage. However, this margin was nearly half of what President Joe Biden achieved in 2020, highlighting a notable decline in Democratic support among women.

Cornell University professor Sabrina Karim noted the complexity of women’s voting patterns. “I think there were high expectations going into the election about how women would vote,” Karim said. “But it is always important to remember that women are not a monolithic group. Their concerns are multi-faceted.”

Another striking trend in this election was the shift among Latino voters, particularly men. An NBC News exit poll revealed that 54% of Latino men supported Trump, compared to 44% for Harris. This marks a dramatic swing from 2020, when Latino men overwhelmingly backed Biden over Trump by a margin of 59% to 36%.

This shift highlights the broader appeal of Trump’s platform, which emphasized economic opportunity and border security—issues that resonated with a diverse range of voters.

The 2024 election results suggest a significant realignment in American politics. Trump’s ability to win over young women and Latino men challenges traditional voter coalitions and signals a potential reshaping of party dynamics.

For Democrats, the results serve as a warning. To regain lost ground, they may need to recalibrate their messaging and policy priorities, focusing more on economic issues that resonate with a broader swath of the electorate.

Meanwhile, Republicans are likely to view these results as a mandate to double down on their current strategy, which has proven effective in attracting key voter demographics.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, one thing is clear: neither party can take any voting bloc for granted. The diverse and shifting priorities of the American electorate will play a crucial role in shaping the nation’s political future.