Weekly YouGov Polling: Presidential debates, AI, chess, and suits
Welcome to YouGov's weekly newsletter The Surveyor, with new polling data, insights, and charts on politics, life, and other topical issues — from our U.S. News team.
This week, we're spotlighting surveys on the upcoming presidential debate, artificial intelligence, chess, and what people wear to work
Election updates
Biden and Trump are tied, 42% to 42%
93% of Biden supporters and 91% of Trump supporters say they've made up their mind about who they're voting for.
Fewer supporters of three other candidates — Kennedy, Stein, and West — say they've made up their minds
44% say Biden has the temperament to be president; 42% say Trump does
Which issues do voters say are most important to them?
Among Democrats: Inflation, climate change, health care, and abortion
Among Republicans: Inflation, immigration, jobs/the economy, and national security
42% have favorable views of Democrats in Congress; 35% do of Republicans
Most congressional leaders get more disapproval than approval, especially McConnell (-44). Johnson (-8) and Schumer (-9) fare better, and Jeffries is about even (+1)
74% approve of the guilty verdict against Hunter Biden, including 62% of Biden supporters and 86% of Trump supporters
Nearly all Joe Biden supporters approved of the guilty verdict against Trump; nearly all Trump supporters did not
(among 1,396 registered voters in the latest Economist/YouGov poll)
Charting opinions
2024 presidential debates: Voters' preferences for topics and format
Biden and Trump each are seen as having their own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to debating. Between the two presidential frontrunners, Biden is seen by more registered voters as better at staying calm under pressure, but he also is seen by more of them as likelier to fumble his words. Trump is likelier to be seen as more persuasive — as well as likelier to interrupt, to go over his allotted time, and to make personal attacks. (Taylor Orth)
The share of Americans who think computers are more intelligent than people has doubled since 2022
Among people who have heard of each technology, 86% think 3D printing will catch on and 82% say the same of artificial intelligence. This marks an increase from 2023, when 77% who had heard of AI thought it would become widespread; in 2022, 69% thought this. (Jamie Ballard)
How many Americans play and follow chess
A majority of Americans know how to play chess, but only 4% play regularly. 10% of Americans follow competitive chess at least somewhat closely, and majorities of Americans have no opinion about seven top competitive chess players including Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, and Magnus Carlsen. (David Montgomery)
Most American men own at least one suit, but 28% never wear one
In 2024, few Americans are wearing suits frequently: 28% of men and 60% of women say they never wear them. 46% of men and 24% of women wear a suit once a year or less often. (Jamie Ballard)
Quick takes
Screen warnings: 73% of Americans support requiring social media platforms to display cigarette‑style message warnings about potential mental health harms
Spouses of citizens: 61% say that undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens should be allowed to apply for legal residency without leaving the country
Financial health: Just 17% think medical debt should be included in credit reports; 35% say student debt should be
Packaging penalties: 70% support requiring large companies rather than consumers to pay for the management and recycling of waste from their products’ packaging
Expanding consciousness: 83% think animals are definitely or probably conscious; 42% think plants are, and 9% think objects are
Dairy debates: 29% have tried raw milk, and Americans are divided over whether it is safe and should be legal
Travel trends: 33% have ever consulted a travel agent for a vacation; 37% think it is less worthwhile to do so now than it was 20 years ago
Elsewhere
Polling partnerships
The Economist + YouGov on the 2024 election, foreign relations, wars in Israel and Ukraine, the G7 summit, Supreme Court ethics, abortion, IVF, presidential immunity, and Hunter Biden's conviction
Polling abroad
Polling in the press
Trump’s VP pick will have little impact on voters’ choice for president, despite fevered speculation: Post poll – New York Post
"The poll, conducted by YouGov, asked respondents a host of questions about Trump’s possible picks. It also asked whether his selection might affect their chances of voting for Trump and what criteria they’d like the former president to consider when making his choice."
This professor interviewed dozens of people about loneliness. Here's what we get wrong about it. – Yahoo News
"In a recent Yahoo News/YouGov poll, respondents cited not living near loved ones, not having a romantic relationship, difficulty making friends and not having time to socialize as factors contributing to their loneliness."
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This newsletter is compiled by Taylor Orth and Carl Bialik.