DOVER — A survey released by the University of Delaware this week gives Democrat Hillary Clintin a slight edge over Republican Donald Trump in the presidential election.
The survey, conducted by the university’s Center for Political Communication, says 46 percent of registered voters would support Mrs. Clinton and 42 percent would vote for Mr. Trump if the presidential election were to be held today. Twelve percent were undecided.
The survey consisted of 1,000 Americans, of whom 818 said they were registered voters.
Taken from July 21 to July 24, the findings show a high level of frustration with both major candidates. Forty-seven percent of respondents reported feeling “disgusted” about Mr. Trump’s nomination, while another 42 percent said they were “afraid” and 31 percent reported being “angry” (people were allowed to describe their feelings with multiple words).
Forty percent of people described themselves as “hopeful” about the nomination; 31 percent said they were “proud” and 30 percent called themselves “enthusiastic.”
Predictably, a majority of Republicans had a positive view of Mr. Trump, while more than 50 percent of Democrats reported a favorable view of Mrs. Clinton.
The Democrat had the highest level of approval, a net favorability rating of 71 percent among Democrats — but also a disapproval rating of 87 percent from Republicans. Mr. Trump is plus-62 in the eyes of Republicans and minus-78 from Democrats.
His rating among independents, according to UD, is poorer than Mrs. Clinton’s: Negative 35 percent to negative 18 percent.
Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence and Democratic pick Tim Kaine had nearly identical unfavorability ratings by people of the opposite party, at 42 and 41 percent respectively, but whereas the Democrat’s rating among his own party was a pus-41, Mr. Trump’s pick has a rating of 69 percent when judged by Republicans.
Most of the poll was conducted after the final day of the Republican National Convention and before the Democratic gathering, giving Mr. Trump a bit of a boost, Center for Political Communication Director Paul Brewer said.
Seventy-eight percent of respondents said they definitely or probably will vote in November, and 72 percent said they agree with the statement “public officials don’t care much what people like you think.” Forty percent described themselves as independents.
The Center for Political Communication plans to conduct a Delaware-specific survey in about two months, according to Dr. Brewer.