Negative voting more widespread than the 2008 campaign Would you say your choice is more a vote FOR Among Republican candidate supporters Against Clinton For Trump
American voters are generally skeptical that either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump would make a “great” or “good” president. But another dynamic in the 2016 presidential election is the significant share of voters who say their vote is based more on which candidate they are against rather than which one they are for.
In a recent Pew Research Center survey, 53% of Clinton supporters say they consider their vote more in support of her, while 46% say their vote is more against Trump. Negative voting is somewhat more prevalent among Trump supporters: 53% say their vote is primarily against Clinton. Fewer (44%) say their vote is in support of Trump.
Negative voting more widespread than  | the 2008 campaign  | Would you say your choice is more a vote  | FOR  | or AGAINST  | Among Republican candidate supporters  | Against Clinton For Trump  | 2016  | 53  | 44  | For McCain  | Against Obama  | 2008  | 35  | 59  | Among Democratic candidate supporters  | Against Trump  | For Clinton  | 2016  | 46  | 53  | Against McCain  | For Obama  | 2008  | 25  | 68  | Notes: Based on registered voters Other/Don" 'kknow responses not  | shown. Question onlyaskedofthose who named Trump or Clinton  | in Q13/13a Q14c/d.  | Source: Surveys conducted Aug 9-16, 2016, and July 23-27 2008.  | PEW RESEARCH CENTER 