“Normality.” “A better direction.” “Secure borders.” “Help with inflation.” “Less division.”

These were among the top answers from NBC News poll respondents last month as they discussed what kind of change they hope to see from the major presidential candidates before the November election.

That word “change” has become a crucial storyline in a presidential campaign involving a disgruntled electorate and two candidates who can make credible claims to that title — while facing credible attacks for being part of the past.

Kamala Harris is the incumbent vice president. Donald Trump is a former president. And two-thirds of voters believe the country is heading in the wrong direction, and another two-thirds say their families’ incomes are lagging behind the cost of living.

NBC News’ September poll showed Harris with a 9 percentage point lead over Trump when registered voters were asked which candidate better represented change. 47% chose Harris and 38% chose Trump.

But on a separate “change” question, voters were divided over whether they were more worried that Harris would continue President Joe Biden’s approach (40% of voters in the poll said this) compared to those who were. those who were more worried that Trump would do so continued the approach from his first term as president (39%).

Another 18% of voters said neither was a problem.

And the September poll asked a third, open-ended question about change: What do you expect from candidates running for president when it comes to representing change and moving the country in the right direction?

Harris voters responded in their own words, focusing their responses particularly on personal characteristics such as “competence,” “less division,” and “normality” — as well as a desire to remove Trump from the political scene. Women’s rights were also mentioned.

“I think both represent change. It’s just that Kamala Harris represents positive change and Donald Trump represents existential, terrible change,” said poll respondent Daniel D’Agustino, 33, of New York City.

Harris “represents something of a return to normalcy, just as Joe Biden did in 2020. “So if she were to defeat Donald Trump in this upcoming election, I think that would be the final nail in the coffin for his political career and somehow allow us as a country to move past him,” D’Agustino added.

Harris voter Vicki Good, 75, of De Pere, Wisconsin, said the change to her meant eliminating Trump as a “threat” to the country.

“I think he’s a selfish narcissist and I don’t think he cares about anyone but himself. I won’t say I like everything about Kamala Harris, but I don’t believe she poses a threat to our country or our democracy. And I see Trump as a threat,” Good said.

When asked what kind of change they would like to see, Trump voters responded more often with answers about inflation and border policy.

“Yeah, I just want us to have a safer country again, and I don’t think we’re going to get that if it’s another Harris-Walz administration,” said poll respondent Nicole, 45, of Texas. to give her last name.

“I just feel like the country has moved in a better direction under his leadership and he’s more aligned with my values,” Nicole added.

One Trump voter from Indiana who took the poll said, “I want secure borders and a secure economy.”

But other survey participants doubted there would be much change after November, regardless of who wins.

Trump’s time in office “kind of shows what America looks like on a grand scale, and that’s not necessarily pretty,” said Melvin Mitchell, 31, of Baltimore.

“There are a lot of changes I would like to see. I just have a little faith that there will be a positive change no matter who wins,” he added.