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As the US presidential race tightens, polling shows Kamala Harris and Donald Trump neck-and-neck
Opinion polls continue to show a tied race between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. (AP)
As the polling in the US presidential election is set to begin in a few hours, the race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is extremely competitive, with surveys indicating a near tie in several key states.
The winner of the presidential election will govern a nation of more than 330 million people, but the contest will be decided by a tiny fraction of the populace in a handful of states. Citing public opinion polls, US media reports said that only seven of the 50 states are truly competitive this year, with the rest all comfortably Democratic or Republican.
Latest National Trends
Key battlegrounds like Iowa, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and North Carolina will likely determine the outcome as both candidates make their final pushes for votes ahead of Election Day. Among those seven battlegrounds, Pennsylvania, the most populous, stands out as the most likely state to determine whether Democrat Harris or Republican Trump is the next president.
The tight margins indicate that voter turnout and last-minute shifts in public sentiment could play pivotal roles in deciding the next president. The race is particularly tight in swing states, which are crucial for electoral votes. Polls indicate that states like Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Arizona are effectively tied.
Several US polls show Harris leading Trump by narrow margins. A HarrisX/Forbes poll indicates Harris at 49% to Trump’s 48%, while a PBS News/NPR/Marist survey shows her at 51% to 47%. However, other polls, including those from NBC News and Emerson College, show a dead heat at 49%.
Harris’ Edge
Iowa: Recent polling suggests Harris has gained ground in Iowa, holding a slight lead of 47% to 44% over Trump. This shift is attributed largely to strong support from female voters.
Michigan: Harris has been actively campaigning here and is focusing on urban areas where her message of unity may resonate well. Her efforts aim to consolidate support among diverse communities.
Trump’s Edge
Georgia and North Carolina: Trump continues to enjoy strong support in these states. His campaign focuses on economic issues such as inflation and government spending, which resonate with many voters concerned about rising costs.
Pennsylvania: Both candidates are heavily investing time in Pennsylvania, but Trump has historically performed well here. His rallies emphasise economic recovery and border security, appealing to key demographics.
Critical US states
Seven states could swing either way on 5 November: the Rust Belt trio of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and the Sun Belt quartet of Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and North Carolina. Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin had served as a “blue wall” for Democratic candidates for a generation.
However, in 2016, Trump narrowly carried all three, fuelling his upset victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton. Four years later, Joe Biden won the presidency after reclaiming Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania for Democrats, while also notching surprising victories in Georgia and Arizona, two states that had historically voted Republican.
(With agency inputs)
- Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
