WASHINGTON: The US presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump is hurtling toward election day, with the contest hinging on seven battleground states that could decide the November 5 election.
Opinion polls show a razor-thin margin between the two candidates as both campaigns have focused their efforts on securing victory in these key states.
Under the US Electoral College system, each state is allocated a certain number of “electors” based on its population, with a candidate needing at least 270 out of 538 electoral votes to win.
While many states traditionally lean Republican or Democratic, a select group of “swing states” with histories of changing allegiances holds significant sway in close elections. Here’s a look at the seven states set to determine the 2024 presidency:
Pennsylvania (19 Electoral Votes)
Once a Democratic stronghold, Pennsylvania has become one of the most hotly contested states in recent elections. Trump won the state by a narrow margin in 2016, while Biden reclaimed it in 2020.
Both Harris and Trump have aggressively campaigned in the state, with Trump appealing to rural voters and Harris promoting infrastructure and manufacturing investments, including a $100 billion plan announced in Pittsburgh.
Georgia (16 Electoral Votes)
Georgia emerged as a focal point after Trump’s loss in 2020, with subsequent allegations of election interference when he urged officials to “find” votes to overturn Biden’s victory. The state’s changing demographics are expected to benefit Harris, though Trump still holds considerable support.
A legal case against Trump over the alleged interference is on hold until after the election, potentially boosting his campaign.
North Carolina (16 Electoral Votes)
With a varying population, North Carolina is considered a toss-up. It has historically leaned Republican, but Harris’s team believes that recent demographic shifts could turn it blue.
The state’s gubernatorial race, marred by a Republican scandal, may influence the presidential race, and the impact of Hurricane Helene on western North Carolina is another factor being closely watched.
Michigan (15 Electoral Votes)
Trump famously flipped Michigan in 2016, but Biden won it back in 2020, buoyed by support from unionized workers and Black voters. Harris faces potential challenges this year, particularly from the Arab-American community dissatisfied with the administration’s response to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
With Michigan’s manufacturing economy and working-class electorate, both candidates are making last-minute appeals.
Arizona (11 Electoral Votes)
One of the closest states in 2020, Arizona is again in the spotlight. Border and immigration policies play a central role here, with Trump criticizing the current administration’s handling of immigration.
Harris, who recently visited Arizona’s border, vowed to address migration concerns and revive bipartisan efforts for border security, a promise aimed at voters concerned about Arizona’s southern border.
Wisconsin (10 Electoral Votes)
The Midwest state that slipped from Democratic hands in 2016 returned to the blue column in 2020, with Biden narrowly winning over Trump.
Trump’s campaign has invested significant resources in Wisconsin, where he led early in the polls. Harris’s recent gains have made the race exceptionally close, with both campaigns actively working to win over undecided voters.
Nevada (6 Electoral Votes)
Historically leaning Democratic, Nevada has seen strong Republican support in this election cycle, particularly among Hispanic voters.
Harris has worked to counter Trump’s lead by promoting economic measures aimed at Nevada’s significant hospitality industry. Her campaign’s efforts have managed to close the gap, making the outcome in the Silver State difficult to predict.
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With the election just a day away, both Harris and Trump continue their campaigning across these swing states, each rallying supporters and responding to local concerns to secure the necessary electoral votes.
Political analysts agree that these seven states, holding a combined 93 electoral votes, will likely determine the outcome in one of the most tightly contested elections in recent American history.
