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National Exit Polls: How Different Groups Voted

National Exit Polls: How Different Groups Voted

The numbers on this page are estimates from exit polls conducted by Edison Research for the National Election Pool. These surveys interviewed voters outside of polling places or early voting sites, or by phone (to account for mail-in voters).

Results from interviews with 15,590 voters are shown below. These numbers have been adjusted to match the actual vote count.

While exit polls offer an initial indication of how groups voted on election night, they are not perfect. The polls are not precise enough to distinguish between, say, 53 percent support or 50 percent support from a certain group. Like any survey, they are subject to sampling error, and they rely on estimates of how many people voted in each group.

Demographic

Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Are you male or female?

Male 48% of voters
53%
45%
Female 52%
42
57

What is your racial or ethnic heritage?

White 67% of voters
58
41
Black 13%
12
87
Hispanic/Latino 13%
32
65
Asian 4%
34
61
Other 4%
41
55
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

How old are you?

18-29 17% of voters
36
60
30-44 23%
46
52
45-64 38%
50
49
65 or over 22%
52
47

What is your level of education?

College graduate 41% of voters
43
55
No college degree 59%
50
48
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Are you currently married?

Yes 56% of voters
53
46
No 44%
40
58

Are you gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender?

Yes 7% of voters
27
64
No 93%
48
51
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Do you have any children under 18 living in your home?

Yes 33% of voters
46
52
No 67%
48
51

Are you a white evangelical or white born-again Christian?

White evangelical or white born-again Christian 28% of voters
76
24
All others 72%
36
62
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

What was your total family income in 2019?

Under $50,000 35% of voters
44
55
$50,000-$99,999 39%
42
57
$100,000 or more 26%
54
42

Compared to four years ago, is your family's financial situation:

Better today 41% of voters
72
26
Worse today 20%
20
77
About the same 39%
34
65
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Do you work full-time for pay?

Yes 58% of voters
51
47
No 42%
42
57

Does anyone in your household belong to a labor union?

Yes 20% of voters
40
56
No 80%
49
50
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Have you ever served in the U.S. military?

Yes 15% of voters
54
44
No 85%
45
53

Is this the first year you have ever voted?

Yes 14% of voters
32
64
No 86%
49
49
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

On most political matters, do you consider yourself:

Liberal 24% of voters
10
89
Moderate 38%
34
64
Conservative 38%
85
14

No matter how you voted today, do you usually think of yourself as a:

Democrat 37% of voters
5
94
Republican 36%
94
6
Independent or something else 26%
41
54
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

In which part of the country do you live?

East 20% of voters
41
58
Midwest 23%
51
47
South 35%
53
46
West 22%
41
57

What kind of place do you live in?

City of 50K or more 29% of voters
38
60
Suburb 51%
48
50
Small city or rural area 19%
57
42
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Are you white or nonwhite?

White 67% of voters
58
41
Nonwhite 33%
26
71

What is your gender and racial or ethnic heritage?

White men 35% of voters
61
38
White women 32%
55
44
Black men 4%
19
79
Black women 8%
9
90
Latino men 5%
36
59
Latino women 8%
30
69
All other races 8%
38
58
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

What is your race and education level?

White college graduate 32% of voters
48
51
White noncollege graduate 35%
67
32
Nonwhite college graduate 10%
27
70
Nonwhite noncollege graduate 24%
26
72

Issues and attitudes

Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Which one of these five issues mattered most in deciding how you voted for president?

Racial inequality 20% of voters
7
92
The coronavirus pandemic 17%
15
81
The economy 35%
83
17
Crime and safety 11%
71
27
Health care policy 11%
37
62

Which one of these four candidate qualities mattered most in deciding how you voted for president?

Can unite the country 19% of voters
24
75
Is a strong leader 33%
72
28
Cares about people like me 21%
50
49
Has good judgment 24%
26
68
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Which was more important in your vote for president today?

My candidate's positions on the issues 74% of voters
53
47
My candidate's personal qualities 23%
31
64

Who would better handle the coronavirus pandemic?

Joe Biden 53% of voters
6
92
Donald Trump 43%
95
4
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Who would better handle the economy?

Joe Biden 49% of voters
2
96
Donald Trump 49%
92
6

Which is more important?

Containing the coronavirus now, even if it hurts the economy 52% of voters
19
79
Rebuilding the economy now, even if it hurts efforts to contain the coronavirus 42%
78
20
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Do you think Donald Trump has the temperament to serve effectively as president?

Yes 44% of voters
95
4
No 53%
9
89

Do you think Joe Biden has the temperament to serve effectively as president?

Yes 54% of voters
7
92
No 44%
94
3
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Does Donald Trump have the physical and mental health needed to serve effectively as president?

Donald Trump does 49% of voters
89
10
Donald Trump does not 49%
6
92

Does Joe Biden have the physical and mental health needed to serve effectively as president?

Joe Biden does 49% of voters
9
90
Joe Biden does not 49%
86
11
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Was your vote for president mainly:

For your candidate 71% of voters
53
46
Against his opponent 24%
30
68

How do you feel about the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president?

Approve 50% of voters
91
8
Disapprove 49%
3
96
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Is your opinion of Donald Trump:

Favorable 46% of voters
95
4
Unfavorable 52%
5
93

Is your opinion of Mike Pence:

Favorable 46% of voters
91
8
Unfavorable 48%
8
91
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Is your opinion of Joe Biden:

Favorable 52% of voters
4
94
Unfavorable 46%
95
4

Is your opinion of Kamala Harris:

Favorable 48% of voters
8
91
Unfavorable 47%
89
9
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

If Donald Trump is re-elected president, would you feel:

Excited 24% of voters
99
1
Optimistic 21%
86
12
Concerned 17%
20
78
Scared 33%
2
96

If Donald Trump is re-elected president, would you feel:

Excited or optimistic 45% of voters
93
6
Concerned or scared 50%
8
90
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

If Joe Biden is elected president, would you feel:

Excited 22% of voters
3
97
Optimistic 28%
7
91
Concerned 23%
92
5
Scared 23%
93
6

If Joe Biden is elected president, would you feel:

Excited or optimistic 50% of voters
5
94
Concerned or scared 46%
93
5
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Do you think U.S. efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic are going:

Very well 18% of voters
86
13
Somewhat well 33%
78
21
Somewhat badly 15%
24
74
Very badly 32%
4
94

Has the coronavirus pandemic caused you:

A severe financial hardship 16% of voters
29
69
A moderate financial hardship 39%
39
59
No financial hardship at all 44%
60
38
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Do you consider wearing a face mask in public more of a:

Personal choice 30% of voters
73
24
Public health responsibility 67%
35
64

Do you think the condition of the nation's economy is:

Excellent or good 49% of voters
78
22
Not so good or poor 50%
17
80
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Do you expect life for the next generation of Americans to be:

Better than life today 54% of voters
44
55
Worse than life today 20%
45
52
About the same 21%
58
40

Is your opinion of the Black Lives Matter movement:

Favorable 57% of voters
20
78
Unfavorable 37%
86
14
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Is racism in the U.S.:

Most important problem or one of many important problems 69% of voters
30
68
A minor problem or not a problem at all 28%
84
14

Do you think the country's criminal justice system:

Treats all people fairly 40% of voters
84
14
Treats Black people unfairly 53%
17
82
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Do you think climate change, also known as global warming, is a serious problem?

Yes 67% of voters
29
69
No 30%
84
15

Which comes closest to your position? Abortion should be:

Legal 51% of voters
24
74
Illegal 42%
76
23
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

What should the Supreme Court do about Obamacare, the 2010 health care law?

Keep it as is 51% of voters
18
80
Overturn it 44%
78
21

In deciding your vote for president, were appointments to the Supreme Court:

The most important factor 13% of voters
51
47
An important factor 47%
45
54
A minor factor 18%
48
51
Not a factor at all 19%
49
49
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

In deciding your vote for president, were appointments to the Supreme Court:

Most important or an important factor 60% of voters
46
52
A minor factor or not a factor at all 37%
48
50

Which best describes your feelings about the way the federal government is working?

Enthusiastic 13% of voters
81
18
Satisfied, but not enthusiastic 27%
70
29
Dissatisfied, but not angry 32%
31
67
Angry 26%
24
74
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Which best describes your feelings about the way the federal government is working?

Enthusiastic or satisfied 40% of voters
74
25
Dissatisfied or angry 57%
28
70

Do you think your state makes it easy or difficult for you to vote?

Very easy 69% of voters
50
48
Somewhat easy 25%
39
60
Somewhat difficult 4%
46
52
Very difficult 2%
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

How confident are you that votes in your state will be counted accurately?

Very confident 47% of voters
47
52
Somewhat confident 40%
42
56
Not very confident 8%
61
34
Not at all confident 4%
66
31

When did you finally decide for whom to vote in the presidential election?

In the last month 13% of voters
51
46
Before that 83%
47
51
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

When did you finally decide for whom to vote in the presidential election?

In the last week 5% of voters
54
42
Before that 91%
47
51

For which of the presidential candidates do you have a favorable opinion?

Both 3% of voters
49
43
Only Biden 49%
2
97
Only Trump 43%
98
1
Neither 3%
52
35
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

For which of the vice-presidential candidates do you have a favorable opinion?

Both 6% of voters
50
46
Only Harris 43%
2
97
Only Pence 40%
97
2
Neither 7%
40
53

In the 2016 election for president, did you vote for:

Hillary Clinton (Dem) 40% of voters
4
95
Donald Trump (Rep) 43%
92
7
Other 5%
25
60
Did not vote 11%
39
58
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Do you think your state makes it easy or difficult for you to vote?

Very easy or somewhat easy 94% of voters
47
51
Very difficult or somewhat difficult 6%
45
52

More breakdowns

Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Which presidential candidate has the temperament to serve effectively as president?

Both 5% of voters
63
36
Only Biden 49%
2
97
Only Trump 39%
98
1
Neither 6%
66
20

Which candidate has the physical and mental health needed to serve effectively as president?

Only Joe Biden 41% of voters
2
98
Only Donald Trump 41%
98
1
Both of them 8%
46
54
Neither of them 8%
27
62
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

How do you feel about the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president?

Strongly approve 38% of voters
96
4
Somewhat approve 12%
75
20
Somewhat disapprove 10%
7
89
Strongly disapprove 39%
1
97

Do you think U.S. efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic are going:

Very well or somewhat well 51% of voters
81
18
Very badly or somewhat badly 48%
11
87
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Do you think the condition of the nation's economy is:

Excellent 13% of voters
84
16
Good 36%
75
24
Not so good 31%
22
76
Poor 19%
10
87

Is racism in the U.S.:

The most important problem 18% of voters
11
87
One of many important problems 51%
37
61
A minor problem 18%
81
18
Not a problem at all 10%
91
8
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Which comes closest to your position? Abortion should be:

Legal in all cases 25% of voters
18
80
Legal in most cases 26%
30
68
Illegal in most cases 25%
72
27
Illegal in all cases 17%
81
18

How confident are you that votes in your state will be counted accurately?

Very or somewhat confident 86% of voters
45
54
Not very or not at all confident 12%
63
33
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

When did you finally decide for whom to vote in the presidential election?

In the last few days 3% of voters
47
49
In the last week 2%
64
31
In October 8%
49
48
In September 11%
45
52
Before that 73%
48
51

Do you have any children under 18 living in your home? What is your gender?

Men with children 17% of voters
49
48
Women with children 17%
43
56
Men without children 34%
51
47
Women without children 33%
44
55
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Are you married? What is your gender?

Married men 30% of voters
55
44
Married women 26%
51
47
Unmarried men 20%
45
52
Unmarried women 23%
36
63

What best describes your level of education?

Never attended college 19% of voters
54
46
Attended college but received no degree 23%
47
51
Associate’s degree 16%
50
47
Bachelor’s degree 27%
47
51
Graduate degree 15%
37
62
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

How old are you?

18-24 9% of voters
31
65
25-29 7%
43
54
30-39 16%
46
51
40-49 16%
44
54
50-64 30%
52
47
65 or over 22%
52
47

How old are you?

18-44 40% of voters
42
56
45+ 60%
51
48
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

What is your racial or ethnic heritage? How old are you?

White 18-29 8% of voters
53
44
White 30-44 14%
57
41
White 45-59 19%
61
38
White 60+ 26%
57
42
Black 18-29 3%
10
89
Black 30-44 4%
19
78
Black 45-59 3%
10
89
Black 60+ 3%
7
92
Latino 18-29 4%
28
69
Latino 30-44 4%
34
62
Latino 45-59 3%
30
68
Latino 60+ 2%
40
58
All other 8%
38
57

What was your total family income in 2019?

Under $30,000 15% of voters
46
54
$30,000 - $49,999 20%
43
56
$50,000 - $99,999 39%
42
57
$100,000 - $199,999 20%
58
41
$200,000 or more 7%
44
44
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

What was your total family income in 2019?

Under $50,000 35% of voters
44
55
$50,000 or more 65%
47
51

What was your total family income in 2019?

Under $100,000 74% of voters
43
56
$100,000 or more 26%
54
42
Donald Trump
Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Are you:

White female college graduate 14% of voters
45
54
White female not a college graduate 17%
63
36
White male college graduate 17%
51
48
White male not a college graduate 18%
70
28
Not any of these 33%
26
71

These estimates are subject to sampling error. The potential error is greater for smaller subgroups, or for characteristics that are concentrated in a few polling places. They are also subject to other types of errors, such as those that would arise if certain types of people were unwilling to talk to exit poll workers.

Latest updates

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Maggie Astor Jan. 7, 2021

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Today encapsulated the politics of progress and grievance that have defined the Trump years: Senate wins for Warnock and Ossoff, and a mob at the Capitol. Read more ›

Winner Democrats have won the Senate ›

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The New York Times Jan. 6, 2021

A mob of people loyal to President Trump stormed the Capitol, halting Congress’s counting of the electoral votes to confirm President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s victory. Read more ›

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Joseph R. Biden Jr. has received a majority of votes from the Electoral College, formally securing the presidency in the manner set out in the Constitution. Read more ›

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The 538 members of the Electoral College are meeting to cast ballots for president based on the election results in their states, formalizing Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s victory. Track the Electoral College results ›

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Arizona has officially certified Biden’s narrow victory in the state, further undermining Trump’s efforts to portray his decisive national loss as a matter still under dispute. Read more ›

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President Trump authorized his government to begin the transition to President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s administration. Read more ›