CBS News Exit Poll: Greatest Number Of Voters Want Change, Think U.S. Is On Wrong Track
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A CBS News national exit poll late Tuesday indicated that voters in the 2016 presidential election were in the greatest number looking a candidate who can bring needed change.
A total of 38 percent of poll respondents said they were looking for a candidate who could bring change A desire for a candidate with the right experience and good judgment followed at 22 percent each.
Another 15 percent said they were looking for a candidate who cares about people.
Trump voters are looking for change, while Clinton voters prioritize experience and judgment.
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Meanwhile, most voters – a total of 61 percent – believe the country is headed down the wrong track. Only 35 percent think the country is headed in the right direction.
By comparison, 52 percent thought the country was headed in the wrong direction in 2012, while 46 percent thought it was headed in the right direction.
A total of 69 percent were dissatisfied or angry about the way the federal government is working.
The poll also showed that economy is the top issues by far, and more respondents said the economy was in bad shape than good.
A total of 52 percent said the economy was the top issue, followed by 18 percent who said terrorism, 13 percent who said foreign policy, and 12 percent who said immigration. The economy was the top issue for both Clinton and Trump supporters.
In addition, 63 percent of voters said the debates were important to their vote. The debates were more important to Clinton voters than Trump voters.
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CBS News also conducted exit polls in some battleground states.
In Virginia, 67 percent of respondents said the American economic system favors the wealthy, 58 percent said the economy was the most important issue, and 40 percent – the largest number – wanted a candidate who would bring change.
In Georgia, 56 percent of respondents said the economy was the most important issue, and 40 percent also wanted a candidate who would bring change.
In Ohio, the economy was again the most important issue, while 46 percent said U.S. trade with other countries takes away jobs. Thirty-four percent said trade creates jobs and 12 percent said it had no effect.
In Florida, 59 percent of respondents said immigrants in the U.S. help the economy, while 70 percent favored legal status rather than deportation for illegal immigrants.
In New Hampshire, 46 percent said they were dissatisfied with the federal government, while 29 percent said they were angry and just 25 percent said they were satisfied. The economy also topped the issues for New Hampshire voters at 48 percent.
And in Pennsylvania, 42 percent of voters were dissatisfied with the federal government, 34 percent were satisfied or enthusiastic, and 24 percent were angry.