Former President Donald Trump has edged out Vice President Kamala Harris in the latest polling data from the Great Lakes State.

According to the verdict from a WDIV/Detroit News survey conducted from Aug. 26-29, Trump secured 44.7% of the vote among likely voters in Michigan, compared to Harris’s 43.5%, as Breitbart reports.

This slim margin marks a significant moment in the 2024 presidential race, particularly in one of the nation’s key battleground states.

The poll reveals a close contest between the two candidates as the election approaches, with just over 4% of voters undecided. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who ran as an independent in previous elections, captured 4.7% of the vote, while 2.3% of Michigan voters backed a third-party candidate.

Definite Voters Show a Slightly Different Picture

Interestingly, when the poll focused on voters who were certain about their choices, the results shifted. Among this group, which represented 91% of those surveyed, Harris led Trump by a small margin, garnering 45.7% to Trump’s 44.1%. The differences in the data between likely voters and definite voters highlight the fluidity in voter sentiment as election day nears.

In this group, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received 3.9% support, while third-party candidates held 2.3% of the vote. Approximately 3.9% of respondents remained undecided, keeping the outcome of the election in Michigan uncertain.

Previous Polls Indicate Fluctuations in Support

Earlier polls painted a different picture of the race. A survey conducted by ActiVote between July 28 and Aug. 28, 2024, showed Harris narrowly leading Trump with 50.1% of likely voters in her camp compared to 49.9% for Trump. This razor-thin margin underscored the competitive nature of the race.

Other polls show similar trends. An AARP poll from early August had Trump leading Harris 45% to 43%, with independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claiming 6% of the vote. Third-party candidates, including Green Party candidate Jill Stein and independent Cornel West, received minimal support in that survey, each drawing 1% of voters.

Trump Leads in Several Key Battleground States

Trump’s lead in Michigan mirrors his advantage in other battleground states. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found the former president ahead of Harris in seven critical states, including Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Nevada, in addition to Michigan. Across these states, Trump held a 45% to 43% lead over Harris, further highlighting his strength in regions that are crucial to winning the Electoral College.

Voter Preferences Continue to Shift

The polling data suggests a dynamic and evolving race, with voter preferences fluctuating as the election draws closer. Michigan’s role as a key battleground state means that these shifts are being closely monitored by both campaigns. The WDIV/Detroit News poll, in particular, illustrates how even small changes in voter sentiment can have significant implications.

The percentage of undecided voters, hovering around 4.8% in the WDIV/Detroit News poll, could play a critical role in determining the outcome. With both Trump and Harris competing for a narrow slice of the electorate, those undecided votes could swing the state in either direction.

Impact of Independent and Third-Party Candidates

The presence of independent and third-party candidates, particularly Robert F. Kennedy Jr., also complicates the race. While Kennedy's support in Michigan hovers between 3.9% and 6% across various polls, it remains unclear whether his candidacy will siphon votes from Trump or Harris. Similarly, other third-party candidates have attracted small but potentially consequential portions of the electorate.

In past elections, third-party candidates have sometimes influenced the final outcome, particularly in tight races. It remains to be seen whether Kennedy or other candidates can have a similar impact in Michigan in 2024.

Undecided Voters Hold the Key

As of late August, a small but significant portion of Michigan voters remained undecided. Polls indicate that between 3.9% and 4.8% of likely and definite voters have yet to make up their minds. These undecided voters could be pivotal in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive race.

Both campaigns are expected to ramp up their efforts to win over this group as the election draws nearer. In a state where margins are consistently tight, even a few percentage points can make the difference between victory and defeat.

Conclusion

The latest polling data from Michigan shows a race that remains neck-and-neck between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, with Trump holding a slight lead in some surveys while Harris maintains an edge among definite voters.

Independent and third-party candidates, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., continue to play a minor but potentially important role. With a portion of voters still undecided, Michigan’s importance as a battleground state cannot be overstated.

As the 2024 election approaches, both candidates will likely intensify their efforts to sway the remaining undecided voters and secure a crucial win in Michigan.