Voters in Hawaii made their pick for president while having negative views about the country’s direction, according to an expansive AP survey of the American electorate.
The race between President Donald Trump and Democratic rival Joe Biden took place as the nation remains in the throes of a global public health crisis and mired in the economic downturn it brought on. AP VoteCast found that 28% of Hawaii voters said the U.S. is on the right track and 72% of voters said it is headed in the wrong direction.
Here’s a snapshot of who voted and what matters to them, based on preliminary results from AP VoteCast, a nationwide survey of about 133,000 voters and nonvoters — including 381 voters and 135 nonvoters in Hawaii — conducted for The Associated Press by NORC at the University of Chicago.
FACING THE PANDEMIC
The coronavirus pandemic has spread through the U.S. for roughly eight months, killing more than 230,000 Americans. Overall, 10% of voters said the virus in the U.S. is completely or mostly under control, and 29% said it’s somewhat under control. Sixty-one percent of voters think the coronavirus is not at all under control in this country.
ON THE ISSUES
The coronavirus pandemic was top of mind for many voters in Hawaii. Fifty-three percent said it is the most important issue facing the country today.
Voters also considered the economy a major issue, with 28% saying it ranked at the top.
Seven percent named health care, 5% named climate change and 4% named racism.
NATIONAL ECONOMY
Voters were more negative than positive in their assessments of the nation’s economy. Overall, 28% described economic conditions in the U.S. as excellent or good, and 71% called them not so good or poor.
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For AP’s complete coverage of the U.S. presidential elections: https://apnews.com/hub/election-2020