In the battleground states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, voters are closely examining Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump as they gear up for their first presidential debate. As the race intensifies, it appears that voters have differing levels of familiarity with each candidate.

According to recent surveys conducted by CBS News/YouGov, about four in 10 voters in these key battleground states say they are unsure about Harris' stances, indicating a lack of awareness about her positions. This lack of knowledge seems to be largely driven by Republicans, with a majority of them confessing to not knowing where Harris stands. However, this sentiment is shared by many independent voters as well, a voting group that is considered less committed in their candidate support and not particularly enthusiastic about either campaign.

In contrast, more voters claim to have a grasp on Donald Trump's stance, whether they agree with him or not. The upcoming debate serves as an important opportunity for Harris to reintroduce herself to voters and provide a clear understanding of how she intends to address the issues that matter most to them.

Interestingly, although voters prefer Harris in terms of personal demeanor when compared to Trump, the level of likability might not play a significant role for some voters. Surprisingly, a quarter of those who dislike Trump still intend to vote for him. This is not a new phenomenon around Trump, as many of his supporters have previously overlooked aspects of his behavior they disagree with. In contrast, the percentage of voters who dislike Harris' personal approach and still support her is significantly lower.

Both Harris and Trump are positioning themselves as the "change candidate," but in the battleground states, it seems that Trump is perceived as the candidate more likely to bring substantial change if elected. Throughout his presidency, President Joe Biden has received low marks for his handling of key issues, and at present, Harris' policies and views are largely seen as aligned with those of Biden. This convergence could present an opportunity for Harris to differentiate herself from the current administration in some way.

While some factors have shifted with Harris now leading the Democratic ticket, certain aspects remain consistent. Trump maintains his lead over Harris on the economy and inflation, which are top concerns for voters. Recent polling indicates that more voters considered the national economy under Trump to be "good" compared to their current perspective.

The issue of the U.S.-Mexico border is particularly significant for Republicans, and Trump continues to hold an advantage on this matter. However, Harris holds an advantage over Trump on issues such as abortion and democracy. Abortion has remained a critical issue for Democrats and has contributed to their competitiveness in recent elections. Harris emerges as the preferred candidate among those for whom abortion is a major factor in their vote. Moreover, the state of democracy has gained prominence, particularly among Democrats, and Harris leads Trump among voters who place a great deal of importance on this issue.

The upcoming debate will serve as a platform for both candidates to persuade voters that they possess the necessary qualities to address these key issues effectively. It presents an opportunity for the candidates to challenge and potentially alter the voters' perceptions of them in relation to these critical matters.

The surveys conducted by CBS News/YouGov were carried out between September 3-6, 2024. The respondents were a representative sample of registered voters from Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, with a margin of error of +/- 3.7 points for Michigan, +/- 3.5 points for Pennsylvania, and +/- 4.0 points for Wisconsin.