US Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump are approaching their November 5 election showdown, one of the tightest races in recent US history.
The 2024 race remains closely contested in several critical states, with little separating the candidates just a week before Election Day.
The US Constitution mandates that each state holds its presidential vote. The Electoral College system assigns each state several electors based on its population, with most states using a winner-take-all system.
A candidate needs 270 of the 538 electoral votes to win, with swing states often deciding the outcome. Seven battleground states are crucial this year, each too close to call.
- Pennsylvania (19 votes) – Once a Democratic stronghold, Pennsylvania is now highly competitive. Trump narrowly won here in 2016, and Biden reclaimed it in 2020. The state is known for its “Rust Belt” cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Both candidates have campaigned heavily here, with Trump focusing on rural, white voters and Harris promoting infrastructure investments.
- Georgia (16 votes) – Georgia remains contentious following the 2020 elections. Trump faces an indictment for alleged election interference here, which is on hold until after the election. Harris hopes demographic shifts will favour her, as Biden was the first Democrat to win Georgia since 1992.
- North Carolina (16 votes) – Traditionally Republican, North Carolina is seen as competitive due to its growing and diversifying population. Recent scandals could affect Trump’s chances.
- Michigan (15 votes) – Trump won Michigan in 2016, but Biden won it back in 2020. Harris risks losing Arab-American support due to the administration’s foreign policy.
- Arizona (11 votes) – Biden won Arizona by a narrow margin in 2020. Immigration policies are a major issue due to the state’s location on the Mexican border. Harris visited Arizona to address migration issues and revive a bipartisan border bill.
- Wisconsin (10 votes) – Biden turned a narrow loss in 2016 into a win in 2020. Trump and Harris consider it winnable, with the state playing a significant role in the national political landscape.
- Nevada (6 votes) – A traditionally Democratic state, Nevada is seen as potentially flippable by Republicans due to Trump’s appeal among Hispanic voters. Harris has recently gained ground here by focusing on economic issues relevant to its large hospitality industry.
The outcome of each state will be pivotal in determining the next president in one of the most closely watched elections in US history.
