New Poll: Half of US Voters Say They Voted For 'Lesser of Two Evils' in 2024

businessman holding his hands to his face.
Photo by Curated Lifestyle on Unsplash. Unsplash+ license obtained by author.
Created: 09 Dec, 2024
2 min read

Photo by Curated Lifestyle on Unsplash

 

Citizen Data polled US voters following the 2024 elections and found that nearly half (47%) said they cast their ballot, not for the candidate they supported the most, but for the candidate they determined was the 'lesser of two evils.'

The national poll sampled 1,000 voters that closely reflected the turnout and outcome of the 2024 elections, with 50% voting for President-Elect Donald Trump and 48.3% voting for Vice President Kamala Harris. The poll was commissioned by FairVote.

“Americans want more choices at the ballot box, but they’re afraid of wasting their vote on a candidate who can’t win or supporting a potential ‘spoiler,'" said Deb Otis, the group's director of research and policy. 

FairVote is the nation's preeminent organization advocating for ranked choice voting as a solution to the "spoiler effect." Otis says ranked choice voting "lets Americans vote honestly." However, the issue of choice in elections runs deeper than a single reform solution.

The question is, if voters were given the means to rank their options in the 2024 presidential election, would their sentiments have been any different looking at the candidates on the ballot?

It certainly would have prevented a candidate from winning states like Michigan and Wisconsin with less than 50% of the vote. However, there is also the issue of the choices on the ballot and how much voters had a say from the start. 

Consider that this election cycle began with a rematch between Trump and President Joe Biden that over two-thirds of US voters said they didn't want. In fact, voters explicitly said they were "tired of seeing the same candidates in presidential elections."  

IVP Donate

Then, in August, Biden dropped out and the Democratic Party chose Vice President Kamala Harris, who might have been a different candidate, but was part of the same administration.

ALSO READ: Just A Reminder, The Presidential Nomination Process Has Never Been About Democracy

Voters' options were a Republican nominee who has campaigned for president in the last 3 election cycles and a Democratic nominee who could not separate herself from the status quo and was seen as an extension of Biden.

Even the national Green Party nominated Dr. Jill Stein, who has been the party's nominee 3 times. It's the same names and faces each election cycle -- which is the exact thing most voters say they want changed.

The choice is made for voters rather than by them, which has led to an increasing number of US adults who feel that neither major party represents them and a surge in independent identification.

Especially among young voters, who Citizen Data found were more likely to say they voted with a "lesser of two evils" mindset. 

The "spoiler effect" gets talked about a lot, even in legacy media outlets. However, one thing the media doesn't question is how the system was manufactured to give voters the same candidates each cycle, none of whom seem to offer what voters need.

Related articles

Andrew Yang
Andrew Yang: Democrats Have Only Themselves to Blame
Photo Credit: ...
11 Nov, 2024
-
2 min read
Fake
4-in-10 Voters Say They Come Across Election Misinformation 'At Least Once a Week'
Photo Credit:  One of the biggest concerns in the 2024 election cycle is the spread of misinformatio...
04 Nov, 2024
-
2 min read

Latest articles

People filling out forms.
Insurance Markets Need More Choice and Competition
Every individual has different preferences and needs according to personal life circumstances. Governments typically offer one-size-fits-all solutions. Consumers overwhelmingly want more options....
24 Apr, 2025
-
2 min read
Democratic Party donkey over a black background.
Progressive-Backed Primary Threats Rattle Democratic Incumbents in Congress
There is perhaps no better example of how critical primary elections are in deciding elections than what is happening within the Democratic Party to oust incumbents that progressives view as establishment figures....
23 Apr, 2025
-
3 min read
Close up on a 100-dollar bill.
Lawmakers' Budget Strategy: Tax Cuts Today, Fiscal Tricks Tomorrow?
Remember when President Donald Trump promised no tax on tips, overtime pay, and social security? Not much has been said about it in recent months. So, is it still happening? The short answer is maybe, but voters may not get the complete story on what impact this will have on the federal deficit and debt....
23 Apr, 2025
-
3 min read