Poll: Harris and Trump voters see their candidate representing 'change' — but in very different ways

“Normalcy.” “A better direction.” “Secured borders.” “Help with inflation.” “Less division.”

Those were among the top answers from NBC News poll respondents last month when they spoke about what kind of change they were looking for from the major presidential candidates ahead of November’s election.

That term, “change,” has become a crucial storyline in a presidential contest featuring a disgruntled electorate and two candidates who can make credible claims for that mantle —while also facing credible attacks about being part of the past.

Kamala Harris is the sitting vice president. Donald Trump is a former president. And two-thirds of voters believe the nation is headed in the wrong direction, with another two-thirds saying their family’s income is falling behind the cost of living.

The September NBC News poll found Harris with a 9-point advantage over Trump when registered voters were asked which candidate better represents change, with 47% picking Harris and 38% selecting Trump.

Yet on a separate “change” question, voters were split about whether they were more concerned that Harris would continue the same approach as President Joe Biden (40% of voters in the poll said this), versus those who were more concerned that Trump would continue the same approach as from his first term as president (39% said this).

Another 18% of voters said neither was a concern for them.

And the September NBC News poll asked a third, open-ended “change” question: When it comes to representing change and getting the country headed in the right direction, what are you looking for from the candidates running for president?

Harris voters responded in their own words with answers focused in particular on personal characteristics, like “competency,” “less division” and “normalcy” — as well as a desire to remove Trump from the political stage. Women's rights earned mentions as well.

“I think they both represent change. It’s just that Kamala Harris represents positive change, and Donald Trump represents like, existential, terrible change,” said poll respondent Daniel D’Agustino, 33, of New York City.

“[Harris] represents somewhat of a return to normalcy, in the same way that Joe Biden did in 2020. So if she were to defeat Donald Trump in this upcoming election, I think that that would be the last nail in the coffin for his political career, and kind of enable us as a country to move past just him,” D’Agustino added.

Harris voter Vicki Good, 75, of De Pere, Wis., said that change for her is removing Trump “as a threat” to the country.

“I think he is an egotistical narcissist, and I don’t think he cares about anyone except himself. I won’t say that I like everything about Kamala Harris, but I don’t think she is a threat to our country or our democracy. And I see Trump as a threat,” Good replied.

Trump voters, on the other hand, responded more heavily with answers pertaining to policy on inflation and the border when asked about the kind of change they’re looking for.

“Yeah, I just want us to have a safer, more secure country again, and I don’t think we’re going to get that if it’s another Harris-Walz administration,” said poll respondent Nicole, 45, of Texas, who declined to give her last name.

“I just feel like the country was headed in a better direction under his leadership, and he aligns better with my values,” Nicole added.

“I want secured borders and a secured economy,” said a Trump voter from Indiana who responded to the poll.

But other poll respondents doubted much change would occur after November — regardless of who wins.

“[Trump] being in office, kind of exposed what America looks like on a grand scale, and it’s not necessarily pretty,” said Melvin Mitchell, 31, of Baltimore, Md.

“There’s a lot of change that I would like to see. I just have a little faith that there’s going to be any change in a positive fashion, no matter who wins,” he added.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com