By Burnett Munthali
The 2024 U.S. presidential race stands at a near deadlock, with Kamala Harris and Donald Trump locked in a fierce battle across key swing states. On the eve of Election Day, the candidates are making final appeals to voters, focusing intensely on critical battlegrounds like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin in the Midwest; Nevada and Arizona in the West; and Georgia and North Carolina in the South. Polls show a tight race, with the New York Times/Siena poll revealing Harris and Trump neck-and-neck in nearly every state, except for a slight Trump lead in Arizona.
Both candidates are pulling out all stops. Harris is concentrating her efforts in Pennsylvania, the largest swing state prize, with a final push in working-class regions such as Allentown and a star-studded rally in Philadelphia featuring Lady Gaga and Oprah Winfrey. Her campaign is making a strong play for diverse urban and suburban voters, a coalition crucial for securing Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes.
Meanwhile, Trump has a packed schedule, holding rallies in North Carolina and multiple stops in Pennsylvania, ending his day in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Known for his energetic rallies, Trump is aiming to energize his loyal base, particularly in rural and blue-collar areas where his “America First” message has resonated.
Despite his base’s enthusiasm, Trump faces significant hurdles. His favorability rating has stalled around 43 percent, with a ceiling he has rarely surpassed since his first term in office. In both of his previous presidential bids, Trump failed to capture over 50 percent of the popular vote, a trend likely to continue due to his polarizing image and significant Republican defections. A portion of the Republican base is weary of his contentious approach, and some are backing Harris, making it more difficult for Trump to broaden his appeal to undecided voters.
Harris, on the other hand, is leveraging her personal story to connect with voters. Recently, she paid tribute to her mother, Dr. Shyamala Gopalan Harris, an immigrant from India whose resilience and values Harris credits with shaping her leadership. This message of family and resilience aims to strike a chord with both immigrant communities and voters seeking stability and unity after years of political division.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Voter turnout—already significant in early voting—will be decisive in these closely contested states. If Harris can effectively mobilize urban voters in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, it could provide her with a narrow but critical path to victory. Conversely, Trump’s rallies aim to maximize turnout among his rural and suburban supporters in these same states, potentially flipping the Electoral College count in his favor.
This election is a defining moment for the United States, offering two vastly different visions for the country’s future. With polls pointing to a razor-thin margin, the outcome may rest on a few key regions, underscoring the weight of each vote in this high-stakes, historic race.
