US Presidential Election 2024: Kamala Harris And Donald Trump Compete For Crucial Swing States—What Are Swing States?

Election Day has arrived in the United States, with Americans voting to decide between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump after months of intense campaigning. As of midnight, the first ballots were cast in a small New Hampshire town near the Canadian border, marking the official start of voting.

In a last push to rally voters, Trump and Harris criss-crossed critical battleground states. Trump held his final rallies in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, declaring the “real opponent” was an “evil Democrat system.” Meanwhile, Harris, wrapping up her campaign in Pennsylvania, pledged to end what she described as a “decade of politics driven by fear and division.”

The race is shaping up to be one of the closest in recent years, with polls showing a neck-and-neck contest. Over 78 million Americans have already cast their votes early or by mail, according to the University of Florida’s Election Lab, which tracks early voting.

Key Battlegrounds: What Are Swing States

While most US states show strong support for either the Republican or Democratic candidate, seven critical swing states are set to determine the outcome. These states—Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina—hold the majority of the electoral votes needed to reach the 270 required for victory.

Pennsylvania, with its 19 electoral votes, has emerged as a decisive state in this election. The state, which was a part of the Democratic “blue wall” before flipping to Trump in 2016, was reclaimed by Joe Biden in 2020. The stakes are high, as victory in Pennsylvania could clinch the presidency for either candidate.

How the Electoral College Works

The US presidential election operates under the Electoral College system, where each state has a set number of “electoral votes” based on its congressional representation. Here’s how it works:

• Electors: Each state has electors equal to its congressional seats, totaling 538 electors, including three for Washington, DC.
• Popular Vote: In most states, the candidate winning the popular vote receives all the state’s electoral votes, except in Maine and Nebraska, which use a proportional approach.
• Electoral Majority: To win, a candidate must secure a majority of at least 270 electoral votes.

When Polls Open

Voting times vary by state due to local time zones. Some states like Connecticut, Indiana, and Kentucky opened polling stations as early as 6 a.m. local time, while others, including Arizona and Wisconsin, are expected to open after 8 a.m.

As Americans head to the polls, all eyes are on the results from key swing states that will likely determine the nation’s next leader. With early voting at record levels and a tightly contested race, the 2024 election promises to be one of the most consequential in recent US history.

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