More Democrats open to third-party candidate than Republicans: poll

As a Trump vs Biden rematch looks increasingly likely in 2024, polling data suggests more Democrats may be open to a third choice than Republicans.

45% of registered voters indicated an openness to a third candidate in the event of a 2020 rehash in the latest NBC News poll. That figure, however, varies significantly by party affiliation.

45% of Democrats are open to a third-party candidate compared to just 34% of Republicans.

Both Trump and Biden remain the clear frontrunners in their respective parties, though each faces primary challengers.

Pollster Bill McInturff, whose firm conducted the poll in conjunction with Hart Research, noted that the polling represented superlative Republican party loyalty as well and marked a high for Democrat curiosity.

"From the Republican Party’s perspective, this is the low watermark for considering a third party, and it’s a high watermark for Democrats," he said.

The NBC News poll is not the first to suggest Democrats may disproportionately back someone other than Biden in 2024. The Scott Rasmussen National Survey from earlier this month suggested that a bid from West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Biden could undercut Biden and hand the race to Trump.

Manchin has not announced his 2024 plans.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.