As 2024 election looms, voters share what they want in presidential candidate
Cami Mondeaux
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The 2024 presidential election is nearly two years away, but voters are already considering what characteristics they wish to see in their ideal candidate, ranging from age to work experience to gender.
Although voters’ early preferences don’t have any sway over who will run in the next election cycle, it could provide indications of how some candidates may fare in their respective races. Overall, voters are seeking a candidate between 51 and 65 years old who has business experience and a willingness to compromise, according to a recent survey by USA Today.
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Most voters wish to see a middle-aged candidate on the ballot, with 50% of respondents wanting a nominee between 51 and 65 years old, according to the poll. Another 25% of voters said they wanted a younger candidate between 35 and 50 years old, with only 8% of voters saying they’d prefer someone between 66 and 80 years old.
That could spell trouble for both former President Donald Trump, who has already announced his 2024 bid, and President Joe Biden, should he choose to run for reelection. If elected to another term, Trump would be 78 years old when he assumes office, while Biden would be 82 at the next inauguration.
In terms of gender, most voters (55%) say gender is not a major factor in who they pick as their candidate, according to the poll. However, of those who do have a preference, 28% would back a male candidate over 12% who want to see a female president.
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Unsurprisingly, Democrats overwhelmingly favor a Democratic candidate (71%), while Republicans prefer someone from their own party (74%), according to the poll. However, a significant number of independent voters (67%) said they would prefer a candidate who is not affiliated with either party, along with 17% of Democrats and 13% of Republicans.
Military service is also a bonus for candidate profiles among both parties, with 61% of Republicans saying their ideal president would have served in the military compared to 31% of Democrats, the poll showed.