Final Countdown: Harris and Trump Make Last Push in Key Battleground States Ahead of Election Day
Over 77.6 million Americans have already cast their ballots through early voting
As the 2024 US presidential election enters its final day of campaigning, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are making their last push in crucial battleground states, particularly Pennsylvania.
Final Campaign Blitz
Harris and Trump are focusing their efforts on key swing states that are expected to determine the outcome of the election:
- Harris will spend the entire day in Pennsylvania, visiting working-class areas like Allentown and ending with a major rally in Philadelphia featuring Lady Gaga
- Trump has a packed schedule across three states, starting in North Carolina, making two stops in Pennsylvania (Reading and Pittsburgh), and concluding with a late-night rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan
State of the Race
The contest remains extremely close, with polls showing a deadlock both nationally and in the seven swing states likely to decide the election:
- Over 78 million Americans have already voted early, approaching half of the total votes cast in 2020
- Pennsylvania is seen as the biggest prize among battleground states, with 19 electoral votes
- Recent polls have shown some surprising shifts, including a shock poll putting Harris ahead in Iowa by 3 points
Candidate Strategies
Kamala Harris:
- Emphasizing support for abortion rights and portraying herself as a generational change
- Promising to seek consensus and solve problems
- Courting Arab-American voters by pledging efforts to end the war in Gaza
Donald Trump:
- Focusing on immigration, criticisms of Harris and Biden, and promises of economic prosperity
- Doubling down on controversial rhetoric and baseless allegations of election fraud
- Targeting working-class and younger voters across racial and ethnic lines
The outcome of this high-stakes election remains uncertain, with both campaigns expressing confidence in their chances of victory
On the other hand, the latest polling data indicates an extremely tight race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump as Election Day approaches.
Here’s an overview of the current state of the polls:
National Polling
Nationally, Harris holds a razor-thin lead over Trump, but the race remains essentially tied:
- Harris: 47.9%
- Trump: 46.9%
This 1-point advantage for Harris falls well within the margin of error, indicating a statistical tie.
Swing State Polling
The race is equally close in the seven key battleground states that are likely to determine the outcome:
Pennsylvania (19 electoral votes):
- Trump: 47.4%
- Harris: 46.6%
Trump maintains a slight 0.8% lead in this crucial state.
Harris leads by approximately 1% in both of these “Blue Wall” states
Nevada:
Trump holds a 1% advantage
Trump leads by about 2% in each of these southern battlegrounds
Trump has a 3% lead
Surprising Developments
While most swing states show a tight race, there have been some unexpected shifts:
- A respected poll in Iowa, which Trump won in both 2016 and 2020, shows Harris leading by 3 points (47% to 44%)
- Harris appears to be gaining ground among women, older voters, and independents in some states
Early Voting Impact
Over 77.6 million Americans have already cast their ballots through early voting.
- Harris leads by 8% among those who have already voted
- Trump leads among likely voters who have not yet cast their ballots
The extremely close nature of the race in both national and swing state polls underscores the volatility and unpredictability of this election. With neither candidate consistently reaching 50% support, the outcome will likely depend on turnout and last-minute voter decisions in these key battleground states.
