Research

Audience Understanding Survey: Economy

September 24, 2024

Galvanize Action conducted a survey focused on economic issues with a national sample of ideologically-moderate white women in September of 2024. Economy is consistently identified by this audience as their most important issue in deciding who to vote for in the 2024 presidential election. This point-in-time research was conducted to better understand our audience’s opinions on this key topic.

KEY OPINION QUESTION #1
Over the past month, which of the following has been the biggest source of financial stress for you, personally?

Medical expenses
Housing costs
Credit cards
Student loans
Costs associated with caring for a dependent
Price increases
Your income level

Price increases	40%
Housing costs	22%
Medical expenses	13%
Your income level	12%
Credit cards	7%
Costs associated with caring for a dependent	4%
Student loans	3%

KEY OPINION QUESTION #2
What do you think is the most important economic problem facing the country today?

Unemployment/Lack of jobs
Gap between rich and poor
Stagnant wages
High cost of living
Taxes
Federal budget deficit/Federal debt

High cost of living	71%
Gap between rich and poor	11%
Unemployment/Lack of jobs	9%
Taxes	5%
Stagnant wages	3%
Federal budget deficit/Federal debt	2%

KEY OPINION QUESTION #3
Which candidate do you believe would be better at addressing costs associated with healthcare for you and your family?

The Republican candidate, Donald Trump, would be much better
The Republican candidate, Donald Trump, would be somewhat better
Neither candidate
The Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, would be somewhat better
The Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, would be much better

Trump would be much better – healthcare	22%
Trump would be somewhat better – healthcare	7%
Neither candidate – healthcare	25%
Harris would be somewhat better – healthcare	21%
Harris would be much better – healthcare	26%

TOPLINE TAKEAWAYS

Nearly half (47%) of the ideologically-moderate white women surveyed said they believe the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, would be better at addressing costs associated with healthcare; 29% said they believe the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, would be better.
A quarter of moderate women said they believe neither candidate would be better at addressing healthcare costs.

KEY OPINION QUESTION #4
Which candidate do you believe would be better at addressing costs associated with caregiving such as childcare, elder care, and family leave for you and your family?

The Republican candidate, Donald Trump, would be much better
The Republican candidate, Donald Trump, would be somewhat better
Neither candidate
The Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, would be somewhat better
The Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, would be much better

Trump would be much better – caregiving	19%
Trump would be somewhat better – caregiving	7%
Neither candidate – caregiving	24%
Harris would be somewhat better – caregiving	21%
Harris would be much better – caregiving	28%

TOPLINE TAKEAWAYS

Nearly half (49%) of the ideologically-moderate white women surveyed said they believe the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, would be better at addressing costs associated with caregiving; 26% said they believe the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, would be better.
Nearly a quarter (24%) of moderate women said they believe neither candidate would be better at addressing costs associated with caregiving.

KEY OPINION QUESTION #5
If the 2024 presidential election were held today, who would you vote for if the candidates were Kamala Harris (the Democrat) and Donald Trump (the Republican)?

Kamala Harris, the Democrat
Donald Trump, the Republican
Another candidate
Don’t know
Not going to vote/wouldn’t vote if those were the choices

Kamala Harris, the Democrat	47%
Donald Trump, the Republican	34%
Another candidate	3%
Don’t know	10%
Not going to vote/wouldn’t vote if those were the choices	6%