Election Anxiety Soars: Experts Reveal Why Americans Are on Edge

If the thought of the upcoming Nov. 5 showdown between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump leaves you feeling a bit jittery, you aren't alone. A recent Yahoo News/YouGov poll reveals that many Americans are feeling the weight of anxiety as the 2024 presidential election approaches, experiencing even more stress compared to just four months ago.

The survey, which engaged 1,755 U.S. adults from September 11 to 13, found that a significant 67% of respondents feel anxious about the presidential election—31% reporting they feel "very anxious" and 36% feeling "somewhat anxious."

This concern is particularly evident among Democrats and those planning to vote for Harris. The poll indicated that 71% of Democrats and 69% of Republicans consider themselves anxious, with a notable 79% of Harris supporters feeling this way, compared to 71% of Trump supporters.

Major concerns contributing to this anxiety include fears about how the election results will impact the economy (64%) and concerns regarding political violence (60%). Additionally, nearly half of Americans (48%) are worried that the election results may not be accepted, and over a third (39%) express concerns that the election will be manipulated.

This polling data shows a stark rise in election anxiety, jumping 7% since the last survey conducted in May, which had 60% of respondents noting anxiety, with 29% feeling "very anxious" and 31% "somewhat anxious."

Why Are We Feeling More Anxious?

Mental health professionals suggest several factors may be contributing to this heightened anxiety.

First, this election cycle has been anything but typical. Dr. Nina Vasan, a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at Stanford, points out that the political landscape has drastically evolved since May. With President Biden stepping away from the race, Harris's rapid ascent as the Democratic nominee, and ongoing tumultuous events like assassination attempts on Trump, the election has become "uniquely anxiety-provoking," according to Vasan. She notes, "People are grappling