A recent poll conducted by Franklin & Marshall College reveals that Vice President Kamala Harris is gaining ground among independent voters in Pennsylvania, a crucial battleground state for the 2024 election. The poll, conducted between September 4 and September 15, shows Harris leading over former President Donald Trump by 13 points, with 48 percent of the independent vote compared to Trump's 35 percent. Overall, Harris is ahead of Trump by 3 percentage points among all 890 voters surveyed, falling within the margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percentage points.

Pennsylvania has historically been a closely contested state, with winners in previous elections securing victory by slim margins. The latest polls demonstrate Harris' consistent lead among independent voters in Pennsylvania. Another poll by Quinnipiac University conducted between September 12 and September 16 shows Harris maintaining a 5-point lead over Trump among independents, while an Emerson College poll from August 25 to August 28 gives Harris an 8-point lead. ActiVote's poll in August shows Harris with a 10-point lead, indicating her strong support among independent voters in the state.

While Harris is making significant strides in Pennsylvania, national polls present a varied picture of her standing among independent voters. The most recent YouGov/Economist poll conducted between September 15 and September 17 indicates Harris with a narrow 1-point lead over Trump. President Joe Biden largely garnered independent support in his 2020 victory, while Trump narrowly won over independents in 2016. Morning Consult polling data reveal Harris leading Trump among independents in several swing states, except for Arizona, where Trump holds a substantial 14-point lead.

Following a recent presidential debate in Philadelphia, Harris has seen a surge in poll numbers. Polling averages by Nate Silver and FiveThirtyEight show Harris ahead nationally, with Silver's forecast predicting a popular vote victory for Harris but an Electoral College win for Trump. FiveThirtyEight's forecast, however, gives Harris a 64 percent chance of winning the Electoral College, with Harris projected to win every swing state. These forecasts highlight the dynamic and closely contested nature of the upcoming election, with Harris gaining momentum among independent voters in key states like Pennsylvania.