In a Booth or via Mail? Decided or Undecided? Voters Weigh in On Election Plans

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With the Presidential election fast approaching in an unconventional year, we fielded research among 1,207 registered voters on August 7-11 to understand how they plan to cast their ballots.

Nearly half plan to vote in-person on election day (rising to 64% of those who voted for Donald Trump in 2016), with another 14% anticipating going to an early voting location. Four-in-ten will be casting their votes by mail or absentee ballot.

With voting by mail emerging as a hot button topic in recent weeks, we also gauged these voters’ feelings on their state taking measures to make voting by mail accessible to all registered voters. When it comes to the upcoming November 3 election, over seven-in-ten overall favor allowing all in their state to vote by mail or absentee ballot (72%, rising to 93% of those who voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016). However, the majority of those who voted for Trump in 2016 are in opposition (58%). Considering all elections going forward, seven-in-ten overall remain in favor of universal mail-in voting opportunities (again skewed notably to Clinton voters in 2016), with 58% of Trump voters continuing to oppose this. 

As for whether they have chosen their preferred candidate, the clear majority of those we surveyed are decided on which Presidential candidate they will vote for (83%). Those who voted for a third-party candidate in 2016 are most apt to remain uncertain (38%).

Stay tuned for a follow-up post delving into other timely Election Season insights, including the issues voters currently consider most topical.