Many Americans are bracing for mass protests again once the victor is announced this year, a poll by The Economist/YouGov released on Wednesday suggests.
Respondents in the poll were asked how likely it is that there will be mass protests if Vice President Kamala Harris wins the 2024 presidential election and if Trump becomes president.
In both cases, more than half of all U.S. adults polled said they thought it was likely there would be mass protests—56 percent if Harris won and 57 percent if Trump did.
The 2020 presidential election was marred by the events of January 6, when a mob of former President Donald Trump‘s supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol over baseless claims of election fraud. Following the 2016 election, thousands took to the streets to protest Trump’s win.
If Harris won, 56 percent of all respondents said they thought it was either very or somewhat likely there would be mass protests, 16 percent were unsure, and 28 percent said it was either not likely or very likely.
Among Harris supporters, 65 percent said it was likely, 8 percent were unsure, and 27 percent said it was not likely.
Among Trump supporters, 50 percent said it was likely there would be mass protests if Harris won, 15 percent said they were not sure, and 35 percent said it was not likely.
As for what could happen if Trump won the election, 57 percent of U.S. adults said it was likely there would be mass protests, 17 percent said they were unsure, and 26 percent said this was not likely.
Among Harris supporters, 57 percent said mass protests were likely. A further 12 percent said they were unsure, and 31 percent said it was unlikely.
For Trump supporters, 63 percent expected mass protests if Trump won, 13 percent were unsure, and 24 percent said it was not likely.
Newsweek has contacted the Harris and Trump campaigns for comment via email outside of standard working hours.
The early morning sun strikes the U.S. Capitol on November 6, 2006 in Washington, D.C. A new survey suggests a majority of both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump supporters are bracing for mass protests after the 2024 election winner is announced.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
The Economist/YouGov survey was conducted from October 12-15 among 1,624 U.S. adult citizens, with an approximate margin of error of 3 percent. It was weighted according to gender, age, race, education, 2020 election turnout and presidential vote, baseline party identification, and current voter registration status.
The election outcome remains on a knife edge, with Harris and Trump separated by within the margin of error in many polls.
In the all-important swing states that are likely to decide the election, Harris led polls in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Nevada, while Trump was ahead in Arizona, Georgia, and North Carolina, as of Tuesday.
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