As the United States heads into one of its most pivotal election days, the race for the White House is as close as ever, with former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, facing off against the Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris.
The nation’s attention is riveted as Americans prepare to choose their next leader after months of intense campaigning and debate. Early voting has already reached record levels, with more than 78 million ballots cast via early and mail-in voting, a figure monitored closely by institutions like the University of Florida’s Election Lab.
This high turnout reflects the intensity and stakes of this election, which many see as a critical juncture for the country’s future. As the final day of canvassing wrapped up, Trump and Harris took to key battleground states, each addressing crowds with their closing statements.
Trump, rallying his base in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, underscored his belief that his opponent is not just Kamala Harris but a broader "Democrat system" he described as a threat to American values.
Harris, meanwhile, addressed supporters in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, avoiding direct criticism of Trump and instead pledging to “turn the page” on what she termed a decade dominated by fear and division.
With polls predicting a neck-and-neck race, the outcome may hinge on the results in several crucial swing states. These swing states—Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina—are particularly significant in the Electoral College, the system by which the U.S. elects its president.
Each state’s “electoral votes” are awarded based on its congressional representation, with a total of 538 votes up for grabs. A candidate must secure at least 270 electoral votes to win the presidency. For Harris and Trump, winning a majority of these swing states could be the key to victory.
In this election, Pennsylvania has emerged as a high-stakes prize, offering 19 electoral votes, the largest count among battleground states. With both Trump and Harris eyeing Pennsylvania, the state could well be a deciding factor in the final tally.
In previous elections, Pennsylvania has been part of the so-called “blue wall,” a cluster of traditionally Democratic states that includes Michigan and Wisconsin. Trump managed to break through this wall in 2016, but in 2020, it swung back to the Democrats under President Joe Biden.
The Electoral College itself is a unique and complex system, different from a direct popular vote. Instead, each state’s electoral votes are awarded to the candidate who wins the most votes in that state, with the exceptions of Maine and Nebraska, which divide their votes proportionally. This system gives additional weight to swing states, making them a focal point in every election as candidates strive to secure the majority.
As election day unfolds, polling times vary across the country, with the earliest openings at 6 a.m. in states like Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, and Maine. Other states, including Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, and Wisconsin, follow later in the morning, reflecting the country’s different time zones and local election protocols.
Beyond the battle between Trump and Harris, this election highlights broader issues at stake, such as voter participation, political polarisation, and the future direction of American governance.
Both candidates have framed the election as an opportunity for change, though in different directions. Trump’s campaign has focused on restoring what he describes as traditional values and addressing concerns over “systemic threats” within government institutions. Harris, in contrast, has emphasised unity and moving beyond a decade marked by division and political rancour.
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