Election Day Showdown: Trump and Harris Face Off in Battleground States
As the sun rises on Election Day, the political landscape is charged with anticipation as former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris prepare to battle it out in a handful of crucial states that could determine the next occupant of the White House. With razor-thin margins separating them, both candidates are keenly aware that their paths to victory hinge on the outcomes in these battleground states.
The 2024 election map bears striking similarities to the one Trump faced in 2020, when he was vying to retain the presidency against Joe Biden. Trump is on a mission to reclaim states he won in 2016, aiming to breach the Democratic “blue wall” that Biden successfully fortified in the last election. Meanwhile, Harris is focused on holding onto the states that Biden flipped, which would secure her a comfortable lead in the Electoral College.
In the 2020 election, Biden garnered a staggering 81 million votes nationwide, compared to Trump’s 74 million. However, as history shows, the presidency is won through the Electoral College, where Biden triumphed with 306 electoral votes to Trump’s 232. To win the presidency, a candidate needs a majority of 270 electoral votes, making every state’s contribution critical.
Biden’s campaign in 2020 was marked by a strategic coalition that helped him reclaim key states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, which had previously leaned Republican. He also made significant inroads in Arizona and Georgia, further solidifying his victory. As we look toward 2024, CBS News identifies seven states as pivotal battlegrounds: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Among these, Pennsylvania stands out with its 19 electoral votes, making it the biggest prize of the night. A win there could significantly ease the path to 270 electoral votes for either candidate.
The electoral map has seen some changes since 2020, with six states gaining electoral votes due to population shifts: Colorado, Florida, Montana, North Carolina, and Oregon each gained one, while Texas gained two. Conversely, seven states, including California, Ohio, Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, lost a vote. This reshuffling underscores the dynamic nature of American demographics and their impact on political power.
As voters head to the polls today, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Both Trump and Harris are mobilizing their bases, hoping to sway undecided voters in these critical states. With the nation’s eyes on them, the outcome of this election could reshape the political landscape for years to come.
As the day unfolds, all eyes will be on the battleground states, where every vote counts and the future of the presidency hangs in the balance.
