Elections Matter, Christian Voters Say

An overwhelming majority of self-identified Christian voters believe the 2024 election is very important, and most of them believe that prayer can make a difference in the outcome.

A new national telephone and online survey by Rasmussen Reports and the Institute for Faith and Culture finds that 92% of U.S. Adult Christians believe this year’s presidential election is important in determining the future of Americans and our country, including 78% who think it’s Very Important. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

The survey sample includes 40% who identify as Protestant, 39% who identify as Catholic and 21% who identify as Evangelical Christians. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of all Christian adults agree that prayer can impact the outcome of this election, including 32% who Strongly Agree. Thirty percent (30%) disagree, including 18% who Strongly Disagree, while another 12% are not sure. Evangelicals (73%) are more likely than Protestants (58%) or Catholics (50%) to agree that prayer can impact the outcome of this election.

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The survey of 1,653 U.S. Christian Adults was conducted on October 22-23, 2024 by Rasmussen Reports and the Institute for Faith and Culture. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Twenty-six percent (26%) say they have already voted in this year’s election, while another 59% say they absolutely will vote. Another eight percent (8%) say they may vote in the year’s election, but five percent (5%) won’t.

“Election season is a time for Christians to reflect on how their faith informs their civic action and their choices at the ballot box,” said Lauren Cooley, Executive Director of the Institute for Faith and Culture.

“With just days until November 5, this poll serves as a snapshot in time, providing critical insights into what Christians are thinking and how they will impact this critical election. At this moment in time, it appears Christians are already voting and are ready to engage at the ballot box."

Fifty-five percent (55%) of those surveyed think Christians need to get involved politically, compared to 31% who believe that Christians should stay out of politics, while another 14% are not sure. Catholics (50%) are somewhat less likely than Protestants (56%) or Evangelicals to say Christians need to get involved politically:

Among other findings of the survey of Christian Adults by Rasmussen Reports and the Institute for Faith and Culture:

– In this year’s presidential election, 51% say they’ll vote for former President Donald Trump, while 42% will vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.

– Evangelical voters prefer Trump over Harris by more than a 2-to-1 margin – 61% for Trump and 29% for Harris – while Catholics favor Trump by five points, with 48% to Harris’s 43%. Trump and Harris are tied among Protestant voters, with 48% each.

– Among Christians who attend church at least once a week, Trump leads by a 20-point margin, with 57% to Harris’s 37%.

– Fifty-eight percent (58%) say that, when considering who to vote for, it is important to apply biblical truths to the candidates and issues.

– Christian adults are almost evenly divided between those who generally consider themselves pro-life (45%) and pro-choice (43%). Evangelicals (57%) are more likely than Protestants (40%) or Catholics (44%) to consider themselves pro-life.

– Nearly two-thirds (66%) of Christian adults don’t believe abortion should be legal beyond three months into a pregnancy, including 19% who believe all abortions should be illegal.

– Sixty-four percent (64%) are concerned that the outcome of the presidential election will be affected by cheating, including 38% who are Very Concerned.

– Thirty-seven percent (37%) say they’re better off than they were four years ago, but 54% are not better off.

– Just 24% think today’s children will be better off than their parents.

Although he is now the oldest candidate in presidential history, most voters don’t think Trump is too old for the job.

Less than two weeks before Election Day, roughly half of voters expect violence when it’s over – no matter who wins the White House.

Additional information from this survey and a full demographic breakdown are available to the public as well as to Platinum Members.

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