As we stand on the brink of Election Day, it’s a moment to pause and reflect: How is everyone feeling about the presidential race? Are we consumed by anger? Filled with hope? Gripped by anxiety? Or perhaps we’re just utterly exhausted? Some may even find themselves in a state of perfect Zen. If we could capture an aura photograph of the American electorate—an image swirling with colors formed by electromagnetic sensors designed to expose the subject’s character and emotional state—what would it reveal?
According to daily polling data from Civiqs, which has been diligently tracking the mood of Americans regarding the direction of the country, the sentiments surrounding this peculiar “vibes election” have remained surprisingly stable. This is noteworthy considering the tumultuous electoral journey we’ve experienced, which has been marked by an array of dramatic twists and turns—ranging from a twice-impeached ex-president and convicted felon promising political revenge, to a concerning escalation of violence in the Middle East. We’ve witnessed two assassination attempts, foreign disinformation schemes, and instances of ballot box vandalism. Moreover, there have been xenophobic narratives involving migrants and even the radicalization of pet-owning cat enthusiasts. It’s been a whirlwind of events.
Yet, amidst this chaos, the overall sentiment among voters has largely maintained an even keel—except for one pivotal moment that dramatically altered the mood across the nation: President Biden’s unexpected decision to withdraw from the race in July.
With Biden stepping aside, Kamala Harris took center stage. This shift sparked a notable transformation among Democratic voters, who reported a remarkable 14-point increase in feelings of hopefulness. There was also a slight rise in excitement, coupled with modest declines in fear, anger, and depression. It was as if the Democratic base had just received a double dose of next-generation antidepressants, infusing them with renewed energy.
What I observed while traveling the campaign trail echoed these polling results, as progressive organizers and voters expressed a palpable rush of enthusiasm in the wake of Biden’s exit. The atmosphere had changed significantly.
Interestingly, Biden’s departure also had an impact—albeit less pronounced—on Donald Trump’s camp. Republican voters experienced a slight uptick in feelings of fear and depression, alongside a modest increase in hope. While their anger eased slightly—from 47% identifying it as their dominant emotion down to 42%—it remained high enough to paint their aura in a deep, fiery red. Anger, it appears, continues to be a defining characteristic of Trump’s Republican Party, a revelation that is unlikely to surprise anyone familiar with the current political landscape.
