Like in 2024 presidential elections approaches, most Americans report feeling anxious and frustrated, according to a new survey by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

About seven in 10 Americans describe the election as a source of anxiety or frustration, with emotion noticeably absent.

The survey also found that while many remain interested in the outcome, only about a third of respondents feel truly excited about the campaign season.

Campaign tension is rising amid a tight race

The 2024 presidential race is shaping up to be extremely competitive, both nationally and in swing states, with no decisive lead emerging for either Democrat. Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump.

In the final days of the campaign, the candidates’ messages diverged significantly. Harris described Trump as fixated on personal vendettas, while Trump, at a recent rally, described Harris as “a train wreck that destroyed everything in her path.”

This stark contrast underscores the tension voters feel Election day is approaching.

Greater anxiety among partisan voters

Anxiety is considerably higher among partisan voters, with Democrats feeling most uneasy.

About 80 percent of Democrats describe themselves as worried about the election, a slight increase from the previous election cycle in 2020. In comparison, two-thirds of republicans report feeling anxious, up modestly from about six in 10 during the last presidential race.

For independents, however, anxiety levels remain steady, with about half expressing concern, showing little change from 2020.

These findings suggest that partisan divisions influence emotional responses to elections, with Democrats and Republican voters more restless than their independent counterparts.

Frustration levels remain high

Frustration remains a constant among Americans as the campaign season draws to a close. About seven in 10 respondents say they feel frustrated, mirroring levels reported during the 2020 election.

Although other emotions have fluctuated in past election cycles, the frustration seems consistent, reflecting a broader dissatisfaction with the current political climate. In contrast, enthusiasm for the election is present among only about a third of Americans, slightly higher than in 2016 but still far from a majority.

For many Americans, this election cycle has been marked by a sense of impatience for the campaign to be over.

Although a significant number feel disappointed or anxious, the end of the election offers a measure of relief. Soon, the intensity of the campaign season will give way to clarity as the ballots are cast and counted.

The poll was conducted October 24-29, 2024, polling 1,233 adults through NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak panel to ensure national representation. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.

This article includes reporting from the Associated Press