South Carolina Exit Poll: President
Entrance and Exit Polls Explainer
Entrance and Exit polls are surveys conducted on Election Day outside of polling places in a sample of precincts across the country. Entrance Polls take place before voters enter a Caucus, whereas Exit Polls take place after voters leave a Primary. People are asked not only whom they voted for, but also what issues mattered most to them. For more details, read the Exit Polls Explainer.
For more information about the research methods, read the Exit Poll Methodology.
Are you:
(2,120 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Are you: | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Male (51%) 1,081 respondents | 63% | 36% | - |
Female (49%) 1,039 respondents | 57% | 43% | - |
Are you:
(2,109 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Are you: | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
White (93%) 1,961 respondents | 61% | 39% | - |
Black (3%) 63 respondents | - | - | - |
Hispanic/Latino (3%) 63 respondents | - | - | - |
Asian (1%) 21 respondents | - | - | - |
Other (1%) 21 respondents | - | - | - |
Are you:
(2,109 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Are you: | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
White (93%) 1,961 respondents | 61% | 39% | - |
Non-White (7%) 148 respondents | 53% | 46% | - |
In which age group are you?
(2,116 Respondents)
Candidate order
| In which age group are you? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
17-29 (7%) 148 respondents | 65% | 33% | - |
30-44 (16%) 339 respondents | 57% | 42% | - |
45-64 (46%) 973 respondents | 60% | 40% | - |
65 or over (31%) 656 respondents | 62% | 38% | - |
In which age group are you?
(2,116 Respondents)
Candidate order
| In which age group are you? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
17-24 (4%) 85 respondents | - | - | - |
25-29 (3%) 63 respondents | - | - | - |
30-39 (10%) 212 respondents | 55% | 44% | - |
40-49 (14%) 296 respondents | 60% | 40% | - |
50-64 (39%) 825 respondents | 60% | 40% | - |
65 or over (31%) 656 respondents | 62% | 38% | - |
To which age group do you belong?
(2,116 Respondents)
Candidate order
| To which age group do you belong? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
17-44 (22%) 466 respondents | 59% | 40% | - |
45+ (78%) 1,650 respondents | 60% | 39% | - |
Which best describes your education? You have:
(2,100 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Which best describes your education? You have: | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Never attended college (17%) 357 respondents | 79% | 20% | - |
Attended college but received no degree (24%) 504 respondents | 71% | 29% | - |
Associate's degree (AA or AS) (16%) 336 respondents | 64% | 36% | - |
Bachelor's degree (BA or BS) (26%) 546 respondents | 49% | 50% | - |
An advanced degree after a bachelor's degree (such as JD, MA, MBA, MD, PhD) (17%) 357 respondents | 40% | 59% | - |
What was the last grade of school you completed?
(2,100 Respondents)
Candidate order
| What was the last grade of school you completed? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
College graduate (44%) 924 respondents | 45% | 54% | - |
No college degree (56%) 1,176 respondents | 72% | 28% | - |
Education by race
(2,085 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Education by race | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
White college graduates (40%) 834 respondents | 45% | 54% | - |
White non-college graduates (52%) 1,084 respondents | 73% | 27% | - |
Non White college graduates (3%) 63 respondents | - | - | - |
Non White non-college graduates (4%) 83 respondents | - | - | - |
2023 total family income:
(921 Respondents)
Candidate order
| 2023 total family income: | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Under $50,000 (22%) 203 respondents | 72% | 27% | - |
$50,000-$99,999 (38%) 350 respondents | 61% | 39% | - |
$100,000 or more (40%) 368 respondents | 50% | 49% | - |
Before today, had you ever voted in a Republican presidential primary?
(991 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Before today, had you ever voted in a Republican presidential primary? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Yes (84%) 832 respondents | 63% | 36% | - |
No (16%) 159 respondents | 41% | 59% | - |
No matter how you voted today, do you usually think of yourself as a:
(2,033 Respondents)
Candidate order
| No matter how you voted today, do you usually think of yourself as a: | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Democrat (5%) 102 respondents | - | - | - |
Republican (68%) 1,382 respondents | 70% | 30% | - |
Independent (22%) 447 respondents | 37% | 62% | - |
Something else (6%) 122 respondents | 72% | 27% | - |
On most political matters, do you consider yourself:
(2,023 Respondents)
Candidate order
| On most political matters, do you consider yourself: | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Very conservative (40%) 809 respondents | 84% | 16% | - |
Somewhat conservative (37%) 749 respondents | 57% | 43% | - |
Moderate (20%) 405 respondents | 28% | 71% | - |
Liberal (3%) 61 respondents | - | - | - |
On most political matters, do you consider yourself:
(2,023 Respondents)
Candidate order
| On most political matters, do you consider yourself: | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Liberal (3%) 61 respondents | - | - | - |
Moderate (20%) 405 respondents | 28% | 71% | - |
Conservative (77%) 1,558 respondents | 71% | 29% | - |
On most political matters, do you consider yourself:
(2,023 Respondents)
Candidate order
| On most political matters, do you consider yourself: | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Conservative (77%) 1,558 respondents | 71% | 29% | - |
Moderate or liberal (23%) 465 respondents | 25% | 74% | - |
How often do you attend religious services?
(991 Respondents)
Candidate order
| How often do you attend religious services? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
More than once a week (22%) 218 respondents | 69% | 30% | - |
Once a week (28%) 277 respondents | 58% | 42% | - |
A few times a month (11%) 109 respondents | 62% | 37% | - |
A few times a year (25%) 248 respondents | 57% | 43% | - |
Never (13%) 129 respondents | 50% | 49% | - |
How often do you attend religious services?
(991 Respondents)
Candidate order
| How often do you attend religious services? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Weekly (49%) 486 respondents | 63% | 36% | - |
Occasionally (36%) 357 respondents | 59% | 41% | - |
Never (13%) 129 respondents | 50% | 49% | - |
White evangelical or white born-again Christians
(1,133 Respondents)
Candidate order
| White evangelical or white born-again Christians | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
White evangelical or white born-again Christian (61%) 691 respondents | 71% | 29% | - |
All others (39%) 442 respondents | 44% | 55% | - |
Does anyone in your household own a gun?
(966 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Does anyone in your household own a gun? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Yes (72%) 696 respondents | 66% | 33% | - |
No (28%) 270 respondents | 40% | 59% | - |
Have you ever served in the U.S. military?
(1,074 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Have you ever served in the U.S. military? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Yes (17%) 183 respondents | 65% | 35% | - |
No (83%) 891 respondents | 58% | 41% | - |
Do you work full-time for pay?
(1,128 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Do you work full-time for pay? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Yes (58%) 654 respondents | 61% | 39% | - |
No (42%) 474 respondents | 61% | 39% | - |
How do you feel about the way things are going in the country today?
(968 Respondents)
Candidate order
| How do you feel about the way things are going in the country today? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Enthusiastic (2%) 19 respondents | - | - | - |
Satisfied, but not enthusiastic (11%) 106 respondents | - | - | - |
Dissatisfied, but not angry (43%) 416 respondents | 47% | 52% | - |
Angry (43%) 416 respondents | 81% | 18% | - |
How do you feel about the way things are going in the country today?
(968 Respondents)
Candidate order
| How do you feel about the way things are going in the country today? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Enthusiastic or satisfied (13%) 126 respondents | 22% | 77% | - |
Dissatisfied or angry (86%) 832 respondents | 64% | 35% | - |
Do you think the condition of the nation's economy is:
(968 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Do you think the condition of the nation's economy is: | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Excellent (3%) 29 respondents | - | - | - |
Good (14%) 136 respondents | 13% | 86% | - |
Not so good (36%) 348 respondents | 49% | 50% | - |
Poor (46%) 445 respondents | 84% | 15% | - |
Do you think the condition of the nation's economy is:
(968 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Do you think the condition of the nation's economy is: | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Excellent or good (17%) 165 respondents | 11% | 88% | - |
Not so good or poor (82%) 794 respondents | 69% | 30% | - |
Which best describes your family's financial situation?
(991 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Which best describes your family's financial situation? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Getting ahead financially (23%) 228 respondents | 45% | 54% | - |
Holding steady financially (58%) 575 respondents | 61% | 38% | - |
Falling behind financially (17%) 168 respondents | 74% | 26% | - |
In world affairs, do you think the United States should take:
(968 Respondents)
Candidate order
| In world affairs, do you think the United States should take: | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
A more active role (32%) 310 respondents | 57% | 42% | - |
A less active role (46%) 445 respondents | 75% | 25% | - |
About the same role as now (19%) 184 respondents | 23% | 76% | - |
Which ONE of these four issues mattered most in deciding how you voted today? (CHECK ONLY ONE)
(1,091 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Which ONE of these four issues mattered most in deciding how you voted today? (CHECK ONLY ONE) | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Foreign policy (13%) 142 respondents | 26% | 74% | - |
Abortion (10%) 109 respondents | 41% | 58% | - |
Immigration (36%) 393 respondents | 80% | 20% | - |
Economy (33%) 360 respondents | 62% | 38% | - |
Which ONE of these four candidate qualities mattered most in deciding how you voted today? (CHECK ONLY ONE)
(1,091 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Which ONE of these four candidate qualities mattered most in deciding how you voted today? (CHECK ONLY ONE) | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Shares my values (32%) 349 respondents | 63% | 36% | - |
Has the right temperament (17%) 185 respondents | 4% | 96% | - |
Fights for people like me (35%) 382 respondents | 89% | 11% | - |
Can defeat Joe Biden (13%) 142 respondents | 55% | 45% | - |
Would you favor or oppose a federal law banning most or all abortions nationwide?
(1,091 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Would you favor or oppose a federal law banning most or all abortions nationwide? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Favor banning (51%) 556 respondents | 77% | 23% | - |
Oppose banning (44%) 480 respondents | 42% | 58% | - |
Should most undocumented immigrants in the U.S. be:
(968 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Should most undocumented immigrants in the U.S. be: | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Offered a chance to apply for legal status (32%) 310 respondents | 29% | 70% | - |
Deported to the countries they came from (65%) 629 respondents | 74% | 25% | - |
Was your vote for president mainly:
(968 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Was your vote for president mainly: | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
For your candidate (79%) 765 respondents | 70% | 30% | - |
Against their opponent (20%) 194 respondents | 18% | 81% | - |
If Nikki Haley won the nomination, would you be:
(1,091 Respondents)
Candidate order
| If Nikki Haley won the nomination, would you be: | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Satisfied (46%) 502 respondents | 21% | 79% | - |
Dissatisfied (53%) 578 respondents | 96% | 4% | - |
If Donald Trump won the nomination, would you be:
(1,091 Respondents)
Candidate order
| If Donald Trump won the nomination, would you be: | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Satisfied (68%) 742 respondents | 87% | 13% | - |
Dissatisfied (31%) 338 respondents | 3% | 96% | - |
Who do you trust more to handle the economy?
(1,091 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Who do you trust more to handle the economy? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Nikki Haley (33%) 360 respondents | 3% | 96% | - |
Donald Trump (65%) 709 respondents | 91% | 9% | - |
Who do you trust more to handle border security?
(1,091 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Who do you trust more to handle border security? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Nikki Haley (31%) 338 respondents | 2% | 98% | - |
Donald Trump (67%) 731 respondents | 89% | 10% | - |
Which candidate has the physical and mental health needed to serve effectively as president?
(1,091 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Which candidate has the physical and mental health needed to serve effectively as president? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Only Nikki Haley (29%) 316 respondents | 2% | 98% | - |
Only Donald Trump (35%) 382 respondents | 96% | 4% | - |
Both of them (33%) 360 respondents | 78% | 21% | - |
Neither of them (2%) 22 respondents | - | - | - |
Does Nikki Haley have the physical and mental health needed to serve effectively as president?
(1,091 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Does Nikki Haley have the physical and mental health needed to serve effectively as president? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Nikki Haley does (62%) 676 respondents | 42% | 57% | - |
Nikki Haley does not (37%) 404 respondents | 92% | 7% | - |
Does Donald Trump have the physical and mental health needed to serve effectively as president?
(1,091 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Does Donald Trump have the physical and mental health needed to serve effectively as president? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Donald Trump does (68%) 742 respondents | 87% | 12% | - |
Donald Trump does not (31%) 338 respondents | 2% | 97% | - |
If Nikki Haley is nominated, how likely is it that she would defeat Joe Biden in November?
(968 Respondents)
Candidate order
| If Nikki Haley is nominated, how likely is it that she would defeat Joe Biden in November? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Very likely (26%) 252 respondents | 29% | 69% | - |
Somewhat likely (34%) 329 respondents | 49% | 50% | - |
Not too likely (21%) 203 respondents | 80% | 20% | - |
Not at all likely (18%) 174 respondents | 95% | 5% | - |
If Nikki Haley is nominated, how likely is it that she would beat Joe Biden in November?
(968 Respondents)
Candidate order
| If Nikki Haley is nominated, how likely is it that she would beat Joe Biden in November? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Likely (59%) 571 respondents | 41% | 59% | - |
Not likely (39%) 378 respondents | 87% | 13% | - |
If Donald Trump is nominated, how likely is it that he would defeat Joe Biden in November?
(968 Respondents)
Candidate order
| If Donald Trump is nominated, how likely is it that he would defeat Joe Biden in November? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Very likely (58%) 561 respondents | 84% | 16% | - |
Somewhat likely (23%) 223 respondents | 38% | 60% | - |
Not too likely (10%) 97 respondents | - | - | - |
Not at all likely (7%) 68 respondents | - | - | - |
If Donald Trump is nominated, how likely is it that he would defeat Joe Biden in November?
(968 Respondents)
Candidate order
| If Donald Trump is nominated, how likely is it that he would defeat Joe Biden in November? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Likely (81%) 784 respondents | 71% | 29% | - |
Not likely (17%) 165 respondents | 4% | 94% | - |
If Donald Trump were to be convicted of a crime, would you consider him fit to be president?
(1,091 Respondents)
Candidate order
| If Donald Trump were to be convicted of a crime, would you consider him fit to be president? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Yes (60%) 655 respondents | 90% | 10% | - |
No (36%) 393 respondents | 12% | 88% | - |
Do you think that Joe Biden legitimately won the presidency in 2020?
(1,091 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Do you think that Joe Biden legitimately won the presidency in 2020? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Yes (36%) 393 respondents | 18% | 82% | - |
No (61%) 666 respondents | 87% | 13% | - |
Do you consider yourself part of the MAGA movement?
(968 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Do you consider yourself part of the MAGA movement? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Yes (41%) 397 respondents | 86% | 13% | - |
No (54%) 523 respondents | 38% | 61% | - |
Is your opinion of Tim Scott:
(1,135 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Is your opinion of Tim Scott: | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Favorable (69%) 783 respondents | 71% | 28% | - |
Unfavorable (24%) 272 respondents | 31% | 69% | - |
When did you finally decide for whom to vote in the presidential primary?
(1,135 Respondents)
Candidate order
| When did you finally decide for whom to vote in the presidential primary? | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Just today (4%) 45 respondents | - | - | - |
In the last week (5%) 57 respondents | - | - | - |
Earlier this month (7%) 79 respondents | - | - | - |
In January (7%) 79 respondents | - | - | - |
Before that (77%) 874 respondents | 69% | 31% | - |
Time: Last week/Earlier than that
(1,135 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Time: Last week/Earlier than that | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
In the last week (9%) 102 respondents | - | - | - |
Earlier than that (90%) 1,022 respondents | 63% | 37% | - |
Time: This month/Earlier than that
(1,135 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Time: This month/Earlier than that | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
This month (16%) 182 respondents | 32% | 67% | - |
Earlier than that (83%) 942 respondents | 66% | 34% | - |
Population of area, three categories
(2,126 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Population of area, three categories | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
City over 50,000 (8%) 170 respondents | 42% | 57% | - |
Suburbs (70%) 1,488 respondents | 61% | 39% | - |
Small city and Rural (21%) 446 respondents | 64% | 35% | - |
Geo Stratum Code
(2,126 Respondents)
Candidate order
| Geo Stratum Code | Trump | Haley | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Upcountry (29%) 617 respondents | 64% | 35% | - |
Piedmont (14%) 298 respondents | 64% | 36% | - |
Central (18%) 383 respondents | 57% | 42% | - |
Pee Dee/Waccamaw (17%) 361 respondents | 69% | 31% | - |
Low Country (22%) 468 respondents | 48% | 51% | - |