New poll shows national debt concerning for swing state voters

A new poll of battleground states shows the $35 trillion rising national debt is a critical issue for voters.

The swing state poll shows that nine out of 10 voters want candidates to have a plan for the rising national debt. This includes 95% of those voting for Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, 97% of those voting for Republican former President Donald Trump, and 95% of undecided voters.

States surveyed were Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

The poll was conducted by the Democratic firm Global Strategy Group and the Republican firm North Star Opinion Research from Sept. 23-29.

“The national debt is a critical campaign issue for voters in the decisive swing states,” Michael A. Peterson said in a release.

He's CEO of the nonpartisan Peterson Foundation.

The poll shows 3 in 4 voters of battleground states want candidates to speak more about their plans to address debt. That's a higher ratio than say they want plans for other major issues inclusive of immigration, abortion, climate change and foreign policy.

He continued, “Not only do these key voters overwhelmingly want to hear candidates put forward a plan, they connect America’s fiscal outlook to key economic priorities including reducing inflation, lowering interest rates, and protecting programs like Medicare and Social Security. With just a month until Election Day, it’s clear that the candidates should communicate their plans to address America’s $35 trillion and growing national debt.”

The poll shows 88% of voters – 87% for Harris and 89% for Trump – agree that presidential candidates must prioritize addressing the national debt to combat high inflation, even if this means raising taxes or cutting spending.

The majority of voters, 73% of those voting for Harris, 74% voting for Trump, and 81% of undecided voters, agreed that they are more likely to support a future candidate who promises not to add to the rising debt, even if this means allowing some tax cuts to expire or making spending cuts.

The vast majority, 95% of voters, want to hear what impact the presidential candidate’s tax plans will have on the national debt. In comparison, 96% of Harris, Trump, and undecided voters agree that a plan to prevent automatic Social Security cuts is essential.

Recent analyses of the respective presidential candidates' tax plans show they would add to the national debt, as previously reported by The Center Square.

Only 26% of voters said they would support a candidate who promises to cut taxes even if it increases the national debt. Eighty-two percent of voters are concerned about rising inflation over rising taxes.