With just a day left until the US presidential election, Democratic Candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump are making a final push in critical swing states, aiming to sway undecided voters and secure last-minute support.
Polls indicate a neck-and-neck race, particularly in battlegrounds like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Georgia, where Harris and Trump are targeting rallies and events to galvanize voters.
According to a recent New York Times/Siena poll, Harris and Trump are effectively tied in Pennsylvania with 48% each. FiveThirtyEight’s National Polls tracker shows Harris holding a narrow lead of 0.9 percentage points, a margin that has continued to shrink.
Harris Campaign Focuses on Unity and Social Justice
Kamala Harris began her Sunday campaigning in Detroit, Michigan, addressing a congregation about the importance of unity and healing. Her speech highlighted the need to bridge the country’s divisions, a message aimed at resonating with African American voters, a pivotal demographic in Michigan.
However, polls suggest that Harris faces a challenge with this group, especially among African American men, some of whom expressed a lack of faith in the political system.
Harris, who cast her mail-in ballot in California, is also focusing on Arab American voters, who have historically supported Democrats.
However, frustration over the Biden administration’s stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict has caused some voters to consider other options.
Speaking to Arab American communities, Harris condemned the high civilian toll in Gaza and pledged to prioritize peace and the release of hostages if elected president.
Trump Pushes “Law and Order” Message, Targets Swing States
Meanwhile, Trump spent Sunday traversing key swing states, with events in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. In Lititz, Pennsylvania, he rekindled claims of election fraud from his 2020 defeat, telling the crowd he felt he “shouldn’t have left” the White House. He criticized the media and accused his opponents of attempting to “steal” the election.
In Kinston, he advocated for a hardline stance on immigration, calling for the death penalty for migrants who kill Americans or law enforcement officers.
In an interview with NBC News, he expressed tentative support for removing fluoride from public water, a position aligned with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent figure in health-related conspiracy theories whom Trump has suggested might influence health policy in his administration.
Pennsylvania: The Final Showdown
Both campaigns have honed in on Pennsylvania, a state with 19 Electoral College votes that is widely seen as a potential tipping point.
Harris plans to conclude her campaign there, appearing alongside celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Ricky Martin, Just Blaze, and Oprah Winfrey at a Get Out the Vote rally in Philadelphia. Additionally, she will be joined by Katy Perry, Andra Day, and D-Nice in Pittsburgh.
Trump, too, will make multiple appearances in Pennsylvania, with rallies scheduled in Reading and Pittsburgh. His day will conclude with an event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he will look to rally his supporters ahead of Election Day.
Battleground Polls Tighten
Polls in battleground states reveal an extremely close contest. Harris holds a slim lead in Michigan and Wisconsin, leading by approximately 0.8 and 0.6 points, respectively.
On the other hand, Trump has gained ground in Arizona, where he holds a 2.5-point advantage, and in North Carolina and Georgia, where his lead is about 1.5 points.
In Nevada, Trump is ahead by 0.9 points; in Pennsylvania, he has edged out a slight 0.3-point margin, underscoring the unpredictability of the final outcome.
With both candidates engaged in a final flurry of rallies and appearances, undecided voters in swing states will likely play a critical role in determining the next president of the United States.
The 2024 race has become one of the closest contests in recent history, with each side banking on a last-minute push to cross the finish line.
