New Hampshire GOP Voters Show Support for Trump in Exit Poll
Early results from CNN's exit poll of New Hampshire's GOP presidential primary reveal that voters were less conservative and less tied to the Republican Party compared to the electorate in Iowa. However, a majority of the primary voters still expressed support for former President Donald Trump over his remaining rival, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
Voters' Political Profile
According to the early results of the exit poll, about two-thirds of New Hampshire GOP primary voters identified as conservative, with one-quarter considering themselves very conservative. Unlike Iowa, where the majority of caucus participants identified as conservative, only about one-third of New Hampshire voters aligned with the MAGA movement popularized by Trump. This indicates a significant difference in the political backdrop of the two states.
However, despite the less conservative profile, approximately 60% of New Hampshire GOP primary voters expressed that they would be satisfied with Trump as the Republican Party's eventual nominee. Additionally, most voters stated that they would still consider him fit for the presidency even if convicted of a crime.
Voters' Preference
The exit poll shows that registered Republicans in New Hampshire heavily favored Trump, with about three-quarters supporting him. Undeclared voters, which are the state's independent voters, leaned more towards Haley, although in a less overwhelming margin.
Furthermore, a noticeable educational divide was observed among the state's GOP primary voters. Approximately two-thirds of voters without college degrees backed Trump, while around 60% of college graduates supported Haley.
Voters' Decision-Making and Key Characteristics
Most of the Trump voters in New Hampshire made up their minds well in advance, with around 75% stating that they decided on Trump over a month ago. They also expressed strong favorability towards Trump as a candidate, with only a small fraction having reservations or driven by dislike for his rivals.
In contrast, Haley voters decided later, with the majority making their choice within the last month. Many of them expressed some reluctance and attributed their support for Haley to their distaste for other candidates or had reservations. When asked about the most important personal qualities in a candidate, Trump voters prioritized a willingness to fight for them, while Haley voters were more likely to value temperament.
Voters' Top Issues
The economy and immigration emerged as the top issues for New Hampshire's Republican primary voters, with fewer citing abortion or foreign policy. However, there were significant differences in the attitudes of Trump and Haley voters. A large majority of Trump voters believed that most undocumented immigrants should be deported, whereas a majority of Haley voters believed that undocumented immigrants should have the chance to apply for legal status.
In terms of the US's role in world affairs, about half of Trump voters believed that the country should take a less active role, while only 30% of Haley voters shared the same sentiment. Additionally, Haley's supporters in New Hampshire opposed a federal law banning most or all abortions by a much broader margin compared to Iowa caucusgoers.
