In the run-up to their highly anticipated first debate next month, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are locked in a statistical tie, according to a recent national poll conducted by Quinnipiac University. With nearly one-fifth of voters indicating they could still change their minds, the race remains highly unpredictable.

In a head-to-head matchup, Biden garnered 48% support, while Trump closely trailed behind with 47%, marking a mere 1% difference. This closely mirrors the findings from the previous month's survey, where both candidates were tied at 46% support each. Interestingly, history suggests that such a narrow margin could still pave the way for a Trump victory in the Electoral College, similar to the results of the 2016 election.

The poll also shed light on the potential impact of third-party candidates on the race. In the presence of independent and Green Party candidates, Biden's support dropped to 41%, representing a decline of seven points, while Trump's support fell to 38%, a nine-point decrease. Among the third-party candidates, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. received 14% support, while Jill Stein and Cornel West lagged behind with 2% each.

However, the poll revealed that Trump enjoys a distinct advantage among voters who are potentially open to changing their minds. Only 8% of Trump supporters expressed a likelihood of switching their vote, compared to 15% of Biden backers who stated a similar inclination. Notably, supporters of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were found to be the most susceptible, with 52% indicating a potential change in their vote.

The survey also explored the favorability ratings of the candidates, showing that Biden and Trump were virtually deadlocked. 40% of respondents expressed a favorable opinion of Biden, while 41% held a similar view of Trump. Both candidates received unfavorable ratings of 54%.

The upcoming debate between Biden and Trump, scheduled for June 27 and to be hosted by CNN, is generating significant public interest. An overwhelming 72% of voters stated that they were likely to tune in, highlighting the importance of this face-to-face confrontation for both candidates.

In a separate aspect covered by the poll, opinions were gathered regarding charges of falsifying business records against Trump. 46% of respondents believed that Trump had done something illegal, while 50% believed he had either acted unethically but not illegally (29%) or had done nothing wrong at all (21%).

Additionally, the survey found that just 6% of Trump supporters stated that a potential conviction would make them less likely to vote for him, while a much larger 24% indicated that a conviction would actually make them more likely to vote for him.

The poll, conducted from May 16-20, surveyed 1,374 registered voters nationwide and highlights the fluidity of the race as the candidates prepare for their first debate next month. With a substantial number of voters still open to changing their minds, both Biden and Trump are aware of the need to make a strong impression during the upcoming debate.