Personality and Politics: A brief analysis of the difference(s) in personality traits between Trump and Harris voters in the 2024 Presidential Election

This study investigated the difference(s) in personality traits of first time high school voters in the Charleston County area that voted for Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in the 2024 Presidential Election. As political polarization has increased in the United States, so has the staunch divide between values in both Republicans and Democrats. Due to values being the center of the formation of personality traits, this study intends to find the relationship between who an individual voted for and certain traits. To find such a relationship, this study utilized a mixed method study using both qualitative and quantitative data approaches such as the Big Five Personalities and the Interpersonal Circumplex Model. It was found that Trump voters were more introverted and forceful, whereas Harris voters were more extroverted and accepting. However, there were similar traits that were found among both parties. This conclusion opposes previous research in regards to the extroversion of those in the 2016 Presidential Election where Trump was once again a candidate, and illustrates plausible reasons for growing partisan divides.