Joshua Bennett
In the 2024 United States presidential election, Catholic voters were divided between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. While Trump received the majority of the Catholic vote, Harris garnered more support from Hispanic and Black Catholics. The election highlighted the complexities of the Catholic vote, with some Catholics criticizing Trump for his anti-immigrant stance and others expressing disapproval of Harris's position on abortion. Ultimately, the election results showed a close contest between the two candidates, with Trump narrowly winning the Catholic vote.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Support for Trump among Catholics | 50% in 2024 (up from 49% in 2020) |
| Support for Harris among Catholics | 43% in 2024 (down from 50% in 2020) |
| Support for Trump among White Catholics | Higher among those who attend Mass at least monthly |
| Support for Harris among White Catholics | Higher among Hispanic and Black Catholics |
| Support for Trump among White Evangelicals | Higher among those who attend church regularly |
| Support for Harris among White Protestants | Lower among regular churchgoers |
| Catholic voters' motivation in battleground states | Pocketbook issues, with 75% saying the economy is most important |
| Trump's advantage over Harris among Catholic voters | 12 points in 2024 |
| Catholic voters who switched from Biden to Trump | 7% |
| Trump's share of the Christian vote in 2024 | 80% |
| Harris's share of the Christian vote in 2024 | 50% |
| Catholic voters who switched from Trump to Harris | 4% |
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What You'll Learn
Catholics in swing states favour Trump
A recent poll by the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) found that Catholic voters in seven battleground states favour Donald Trump over Kamala Harris by 5 percentage points. The survey, which was the first to focus exclusively on Catholics in swing states, included responses from 1,172 Catholic voters in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Among white Catholic voters, Trump's lead widens to 16 percentage points. The former president also leads among Catholic voters in five of the seven individual states, including Wisconsin, where he is up by 18 points, and Michigan, where he leads by 12 points. The poll reveals the complexity of capturing the Catholic vote, with Trump supporters attracted by his anti-immigration policies and Harris voters backing her views on reproductive rights.
The NCR poll also showed a slight gender gap among Catholic women, with men favouring Trump over Harris by eight points. Trump performed better among older voters, with those ages 45 and older opting for him over Harris by eight percentage points, while voters 44 and younger were tied at 47% for each candidate.
These findings reflect broader partisan patterns, with white Catholics mostly identifying with or leaning towards the Republican Party. Trump gained support among Catholics in the 2024 election, receiving the majority of the Christian vote. About 22% of those who voted for Trump were Catholic, a slight increase from 2020 when the Catholic vote was almost evenly split between Trump and Biden.
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Catholic voters influenced by abortion policies
The abortion debate has been a highly divisive issue in the United States for decades, and it continues to be a pivotal factor in determining how Catholic voters cast their ballots. The Catholic Church has long held a firm stance against abortion, considering it a "grievous offense against solidarity for the unborn." This position has significantly influenced the voting preferences of many Catholics, who view a candidate's stance on abortion as a critical factor in their decision-making process.
In the 2024 presidential election, the abortion debate remains a key point of contention between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. While Trump has positioned himself as the pro-life candidate, his interpretation of this label has been scrutinized and questioned by some Catholics. On the other hand, Harris's support for legal abortion has been deemed ""morally problematic" by some Catholic voters, while others appreciate her stance on reproductive rights.
The Catholic vote is not monolithic, and abortion is not the only factor influencing Catholic voters' choices. Economic concerns, immigration policies, and other social issues also play a role in how Catholics cast their ballots. However, abortion remains a pivotal issue, especially in closely contested battleground states with significant Catholic populations, such as Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
Among Catholic voters, there are nuanced differences in perspectives. For instance, Catholic men tend to favor Trump over Harris by a slightly wider margin than Catholic women. Additionally, older Catholic voters show a preference for Trump, while younger Catholics are more evenly split between the two candidates or lean slightly towards Harris.
Ultimately, Catholic voters must grapple with the complex interplay between their religious teachings and their personal values when deciding which candidate to support. While abortion is a critical issue for many Catholics, it exists within a broader context of other social, economic, and political considerations that shape their voting preferences.
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Catholic voters influenced by immigration policies
Catholic voters in the United States are divided over immigration policies, with some supporting Trump's anti-immigration stance and others backing Harris' views on reproductive rights. While Trump has gained support from White Catholic voters, particularly in battleground states, Harris has the backing of Hispanic and Black Catholics.
Catholic Voters and Immigration Policies
Catholics in the United States hold varying views on immigration policies, reflecting the complexities within the Catholic vote. A national survey by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) revealed that while most adult Catholics acknowledge the influence of the Church's teachings on their opinions about immigration, there are diverse perspectives within the community.
The CARA survey highlighted that 43% of US Catholics believe that immigration levels should be decreased, 23% support increasing immigration, and 34% favour maintaining the current levels. These findings indicate a split within the Catholic population, with some aligning with Trump's anti-immigration stance and others embracing more inclusive immigration policies.
Influence of Church Teachings
Catholic voters are influenced by the Church's teachings on immigration, which emphasise the sanctity of human life, respect for the dignity of all persons, and the promotion of the common good. The Church advocates for a balanced approach that upholds border security while also accommodating the natural right to migrate when conditions for a dignified life are absent in one's homeland.
Partisan and Demographic Factors
Partisanship, race, ethnicity, and age play significant roles in shaping Catholic voters' attitudes towards immigration. Catholics who identify as Democrats, are non-white, or are younger tend to be more welcoming towards immigrants and refugees. In contrast, Catholics who identify as Republicans, are non-Hispanic white, or are older tend to be less sympathetic towards undocumented immigrants.
Impact on Candidate Support
Trump's anti-immigration policies have resonated with a significant number of Catholic voters, particularly those who attend Mass regularly. In battleground states, Trump holds a lead among White Catholic voters, with a wider margin in states like Wisconsin and Michigan. However, Harris has gained support from Hispanic and Black Catholics, who constitute a substantial voting bloc in these swing states.
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Catholics who attend Mass monthly support Trump
In the 2024 United States presidential election, Catholic voters who attend Mass at least monthly were more likely to support Donald Trump than those who attended Mass less frequently. This trend was also observed among White evangelicals, where support for Trump was higher among regular churchgoers.
According to a National Catholic Reporter (NCR) poll, Catholic voters in seven battleground states slightly favored Trump over Harris, with a 5-point margin. In Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, Trump held a significant lead among white Catholic voters, widening to 16 points overall. The survey also revealed that Trump supporters prioritized his anti-immigration policies, while Harris supporters favored her stance on reproductive rights.
The Catholic vote in the 2024 election was influenced by various factors, including economic concerns and social issues. Some Catholics viewed Trump as a candidate who respected the Church and elevated Catholics to positions of power. They also acknowledged his alignment with certain social conservative priorities, such as blocking funding for Planned Parenthood and appointing Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade.
However, Trump's stance on abortion was a point of contention for some Catholics. While he advocated for state-level legislation, some Catholics criticized him for ""abandoning" the pro-life movement. Conversely, Harris's support for legal abortion was considered morally problematic by some Catholic voters.
In summary, Catholics who attend Mass monthly demonstrated higher support for Trump, influenced by a range of political, economic, and social factors. The 2024 election presented a complex landscape for Catholic voters, navigating between candidates with policies that only partially aligned with their religious values.
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Catholics who attend religious services support Trump
In the 2024 US presidential election, Catholic voters who attend religious services were more likely to support Donald Trump over Kamala Harris. This was despite Trump's controversial stance on abortion, which Pope Francis deemed "against life". Trump's anti-immigration policies and his support for the Catholic Church's social conservative priorities were seen as more important issues for Catholic voters.
A survey by the Pew Research Center in August and September 2024 found that majorities of registered voters in three key religious groups said they would vote for Trump or lean toward doing so. These groups were White evangelicals, White Catholics, and religious groups that traditionally lean Republican. The survey also found that support for Trump was higher among White Catholics who attend Mass at least monthly than among those who attend less often. This trend was also observed among White evangelicals, where support for Trump was greater among regular churchgoers.
In swing states, Catholic voters were more likely to support Trump due to his anti-immigration policies, while Harris voters favoured her views on reproductive rights. Trump's overall lead was wider among White Catholic voters, with a 16-point advantage in Wisconsin and a 12-point lead in Michigan. Catholic men also showed a preference for Trump, favouring him over Harris by eight points.
Trump's respect for the Catholic Church and his elevation of Catholics to positions of power may have contributed to his support among Catholic voters. Trump appointed three Catholic Supreme Court justices and selected J.D. Vance, a Catholic convert, as his running mate. While Trump's stance on abortion has been criticised by some Catholics, his policies are seen as a response to cultural shifts to remain electorally viable.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholics are divided in their support for Trump or Harris. According to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey, White Catholics mostly identify with or lean towards the Republican Party and support Trump. On the other hand, Hispanic and Black Catholics tend to support Harris.
White Catholics who attend Mass at least monthly are more likely to support Trump than those who attend Mass less often. They may support him due to his anti-immigration policies and his stance on the economy.
Hispanic and Black Catholics tend to support Harris because of her views on reproductive rights and her economic policies.
Pope Francis has urged Catholics to vote for the "lesser evil" between Trump and Harris, without explicitly endorsing either candidate. He has criticised both candidates, calling them “against life" due to Trump's anti-immigration stance and Harris' support for abortion.
Some Catholics support Trump because they believe he respects the Church and is willing to elevate Catholics to positions of power. Others criticise him for "abandoning" the pro-life movement by stating that abortion should be legislated at the state level. Meanwhile, some Catholics cannot support Harris due to her stance on abortion, but others believe her economic policies will help people feel more secure.
