The latest CNN national opinion poll has shown a firming of choices among registered American voters. The poll continues to suggest a victory for Democratic Party candidate former Vice President Biden Joe Biden on Nov. 3 with Biden continuing to lead President Donald Trump in most issues.
The latest CNN poll, conducted between Aug. 28 and Sept. 1, said 51 percent of respondents said they would vote for Biden compared with 43 percent for Trump. It said 85 percent of registered voters won't change their minds about their choice for president. However, 13 percent remain undecided or say they may change their minds.
Trump has a high disapproval rating attributed to a strong voter perception he bungled the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump's disapproval rating is 53 percent compared with a 41 percent approval rating.
Disapproval over Trump's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic remained high and widespread. The poll said 55 percent of respondents disapproved of his actions in handling the coronavirus.
As of Thursday, the U.S. had 6.1 million confirmed COVID cases and 186,000 deaths. These are the largest numbers of all countries. More than 1,000 Americans are now dying daily from the virus.
On the other hand, Biden's favorability has improved to 48 percent. Forty-three percent view Biden unfavorably.
Biden still holds leads on many important issues. Trump's one consistent advantage to date - his handling of the economy - has disappeared. Both candidates are now almost neck-and-neck - 49 percent for Trump and 48 percent for Biden.
The national conventions of both parties held over the last two weeks of August failed to boost Trump's standing. Trump branded himself the law-and-order candidate but respondents to the CNN poll preferred Biden over Trump on this issue. The poll showed 51 percent of voters saying they now trusted Biden to keep them safe from harm compared with 45 percent for Trump.
CNN analysts said Biden's growing edge in this area suggested the Trump campaign's focus on this issue wasn't working.
The demographics have swung toward Biden, too. Previous polling showed Trump ahead of Biden among White registered voters. Trump's support among male voters is eroding. Among men of all races, Trump is ahead 48 percent to 44 percent. In the August CNN poll Trump had a 56 percent to 40 percent lead.
Among White males, however, 53 percent supports Trump compared with 42 percent for Biden. Among White, non-college educated men Trump leads 61 percent to 33 percent.
Biden's strongest support continue to be women and non-Whites. He holds a 57 percent to 37 percent lead among women of all races. White, non-college educated women favor Biden 54 percent to 42 percent.
Biden's support among suburban women is at 56 percent compared with 41 percent for Trump.
Biden is ahead among voters aged 65 or older - 57 percent to 40 percent - people of color at 59 percent to 31 percent and White college graduates with a 56 percent to 40 percent weighting.
