**Election 2024: Voters Prioritize Democracy and Economy Amid Rising Concerns**

Early exit polls from the 2024 election indicate that the state of democracy and the economy are the foremost concerns for voters. Among those supporting Trump, the economy is the top issue, with immigration following closely behind. Conversely, democracy takes precedence for Harris supporters, with abortion being their secondary concern, mirroring key campaign themes from both sides.

A striking aspect of this election is the palpable fear among voters about the opposing side's potential victory. Both Trump and Harris voters exhibit significant anxiety, showing not just concern but outright fear. Despite a general confidence that the election will be conducted fairly and accurately, Harris supporters exhibit more confidence compared to Trump backers.

One of the more worrying findings is that about 70% of voters, spanning both political divides, anticipate violence tied to the election results. This is unprecedented, as it marks the first time exit polls have queried the prospect of election-related violence since the practice began in the 1970s.

Dissatisfaction with the country's direction is widespread, with around 70% of voters feeling either dissatisfied or angry. While such sentiment typically bodes ill for the incumbent party, a similar climate of discontent was noted during the competitive 2022 midterm elections.

When it comes to the economic outlook, voters' perspectives have soured since 2020. Trump supporters predominantly view the current economy negatively, whereas more Harris voters believe it is in good condition. Furthermore, a greater number of voters across the country and key battleground states report being financially worse off compared to four years ago.

This election also stands out as the first presidential race in post-Roe America, with a significant majority of voters favoring the legality of abortion. Nonetheless, the issue of abortion does not emerge as a top concern in the exit polls. Among women, democracy and the economy surpass abortion as priority issues.

Leadership abilities are highly valued, with voters primarily seeking candidates who exhibit strong leadership qualities, good judgment, a capacity for bringing necessary change, and genuine concern for the populace. Additionally, a large majority—around 80%—of voters made their decision well before September, while a small percentage confirmed their choice within the last week, predominantly identifying as independents and tending to be younger and occasional voters, many not having voted in 2020.

These insights come from CBS News exit polls, which involved thousands of voters nationwide through a mix of in-person, early voting location interviews, and phone interviews for mail-in voters. Conducted by Edison Research for the National Election Pool, these surveys shed light on the critical issues and voter sentiments shaping the 2024 presidential election.