United Automobile Workers

Oct 23 2024

UAW Poll Shows Member Support for Harris Growing Significantly in Battleground States as Union’s Member Engagement Program Delivers Results

Detroit, MI – New polling of UAW members and member households across key battleground states demonstrates strong support for Kamala Harris over Donald Trump, with Harris’ lead over Trump surging in the last month. 

The poll, conducted among union members in key swing states—Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada—shows Harris leading Trump by 22 points. These results underscore the impact of the UAW’s most ambitious political program in decades, which has engaged 293,000 active and retired members, as well as their families, in battleground states. 

The union’s comprehensive outreach program, aimed at connecting with every member, has been crucial in building support for Harris. In addition to a robust phone, text and mail program, UAW members are engaging in conversations at worksites and within their communities. In Michigan, they have participated in an intensive door-to-door campaign, reaching over 200,000 union households so far. 

Among members who reported hearing from the UAW about the presidential election, Harris’ lead over Trump grows to 29 points. These numbers highlight the effectiveness of the union's aggressive strategy to inform members about the candidates' positions on key economic issues, including protecting overtime pay, overhauling harmful trade deals, preventing offshoring, expanding retirement security, and taking on corporate greed. 

Polling data also show significant movement among key demographics. Among white UAW members without a college degree—a group that has leaned towards Trump in recent elections—Harris now holds a five-point lead. 

"When members hear directly from other members about what’s at stake and which candidate will have their backs, we’re able to break through," said UAW President Shawn Fain. "By engaging our members and highlighting the issues that matter – their paychecks, their families, and their futures -- the union makes a real difference.” 

Fain added, “The candidates’ track records speak for themselves. Harris has been in our corner in tough fights. Trump’s been a scab who passed NAFTA 2.0 and wants to bust unions. When you break it down like that and reach members in one-on-one conversations, the choice for president becomes clear.” 

Additional Poll Findings: 

  • Harris’ lead expands to 29 points among those who say they have been contacted by the union.
  • Michigan UAW members favor Harris by a 20-point margin, with 54% supporting her compared to 34% for Trump.
  • Support among non-college-educated men—a key demographic—shows a 14-point margin in favor of Harris.
  • UAW members support U.S. Senate candidate Elissa Slotkin by an 18-point margin.

The poll results make clear that the UAW's broad engagement program is not only resonating with members but also translating into increased support for Harris in states that could determine the outcome of the election. By focusing on face-to-face communication, worksite outreach, and personalized engagement, the UAW is driving a significant shift in voter sentiment, positioning the union as a powerful electoral force. In 2020, the UAW’s membership accounted for 9.2% of Biden-Harris' votes and 84% of their margin of victory in Michigan alone. 

The UAW’s plan to win stems from the vision that launched 2023’s Stand Up strike and movement. By putting out the facts, uniting the working class, and letting members lead the way, the UAW’s “Stand Up, Speak Up, Show Up” campaign has mobilized a mass campaign to defeat corporate greed at the ballot box. 

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Contact Information

Jonah Furman
UAW Communications
847-903-2376
202-246-2670
jfurman@uaw.net

Feldman Strategies, team@feldmanstrategies.com