### Democracy and Economy Top Concerns for Voters in 2024 Presidential Election

As voters head to the polls for the 2024 presidential election, the state of democracy and the economy are dominating their concerns, according to early results from the NBC News Exit Poll. Thirty-five percent of voters identified democracy as their primary issue, while 31% cited the economy. Other issues such as abortion and immigration followed, capturing 14% and 11% of voter interest, respectively. Foreign policy trailed significantly with just 4%.

Both men and women ranked democracy as their principal concern, with the economy coming in as a close second. However, there were notable gender differences in priorities beyond these top issues. Abortion was particularly significant for women, with 20% marking it as their most important issue compared to 8% of men. Conversely, immigration ranked slightly higher among men at 12%, compared to 10% among women. Both genders considered foreign policy a lesser priority.

These early poll results suggest a deep-seated anxiety within the electorate. Approximately 75% of voters believe that democracy in the United States is under threat, with only a quarter feeling that it is secure. Economic outlooks also paint a grim picture: around 67% of voters describe the economy as either "not good" or "poor," while just one-third view it as "excellent" or "good."

The national mood is overwhelmingly pessimistic, with about three-quarters of voters expressing dissatisfaction with the country's direction. Specifically, 43% are dissatisfied while 29% feel angry about the current state of affairs. Financially, nearly half of the voters (45%) feel worse off than they did four years ago, a higher rate of dissatisfaction than seen in any presidential election since 2008.

The exit poll reveals significant differences in issue priorities among supporters of different candidates. Voters for Vice President Kamala Harris predominantly prioritize the state of democracy. In contrast, half of former President Donald Trump's supporters see the economy as their main issue, followed by immigration at 20%.

When considering the characteristics they desire in a presidential candidate, 30% of voters emphasized leadership ability. About 25% want a candidate who can bring necessary changes, while 21% value good judgment, and 19% seek someone who cares about people like them.

The early poll data also shows that President Joe Biden's job performance is approved by only 41% of voters, with 59% expressing disapproval. Compared to former President Trump's 50% job approval rating in 2020 when he lost re-election, this marks a challenging landscape for Harris, who needs to distinguish herself from Biden to attract voter support.

Additionally, Trump's favorability has declined among white voters, dropping to 49% from 57% in 2020, while it has slightly improved among Black and Latino voters. These shifts may play a significant role in the election's final outcome as voting continues.