Polling from the Economist and YouGov holds that most registered voters in the US election are expecting protests should Mr Trump win today’s election. Observers have pointed to the President’s comments on mail-in ballots being “fraudulent”, as well as fears he will not step down should he lose to Mr Biden, as factors leading to potential demonstrations. It comes after the President has rubbished reports he will declare victory over the Democrat early if he is leading in the electoral college.
The YouGov/Economist poll holds that 58 percent of voters believe there will “very likely” be mass protests if Mr Trump is re-elected, with 23 percent thinking protests are “somewhat likely”.
Only 4 percent surveyed believed protests against the President should he win are “not likely at all”.
However, when the survey asked about the likelihood of demonstrations with a Biden presidency, 22 percent believed protests were “very likely” with 29 percent thinking they are “somewhat likely”.
In a more even split among those surveyed, the poll also found 15 percent thought protests with a Mr Biden win was “not likely at all.”
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The Economist/YouGov poll was conducted online from a pool of 1,500 registered US voters, with a margin of error of 3 percentage.
They also found some voters have doubts about a peaceful transition of power if Mr Biden beats Mr Trump.
Of the likely voters surveyed, 54 percent thought it was “likely” Mr Trump would peacefully leave office, with 35 percent saying it is “unlikely”.
Republicans are more confident their President would allow Mr Biden to become President should the Democrat win, with 62 percent of them thinking it is “likely” compared to 43 percent of Democrats.
Mr Biden also claimed in June the military would intervene in the event Mr Trump refused to leave the White House, and expressed fears the President will “try to steal this election”.
He said to Daily Show host Trevor Noah: “I am absolutely convinced they will escort him from the White House with great dispatch.”
Mr Trump also said any demonstrations on election night would be curbed “within minutes”.
He added in September to Fox News: “It’s called insurrection. We just send in and we do it, very easy. I mean, it’s very easy.
“I’d rather not do that because there’s no reason for it, but if we had to we’d do that and put it down within minutes.”
It comes as YouGov and the Economist also gave the former Vice President a 10 point national lead over the incumbent President leading into the final day of the US election.
The final poll shows Mr Biden has dominated Mr Trump in early voting with 70 percent of those surveyed who voted by mail-in ballot supporting the Democrat to 27 percent for the Republican.
53 percent of likely voters surveyed also said they would vote for Mr Biden, to 43 percent for Mr Trump.
Out of those who have not yet voted however, 56 percent said they would be backing the President to Mr Biden’s 38 percent, leading to a potential upset on election night.