By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
Around 240 million Americans are eligible to vote in the upcoming US election, but the outcome of the presidential race is expected to hinge on a small number of swing states. Experts believe that the election could be decided by only a few battleground states, with Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin being particularly crucial for either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump to secure the presidency.
In the final stretch of the election, both campaigns are ramping up efforts to sway undecided voters in these key states.
Arizona
a pivotal state for Democrats in 2020, has become a flashpoint for immigration and abortion debates. Border crossings, a central concern for voters, have dropped, but Trump continues to criticize Harris’s immigration record. The state has also seen heated debates over abortion access following the US Supreme Court's 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
Georgia
where Trump is embroiled in a legal case related to alleged election interference, has one of the largest African American populations in the country. Biden’s 2020 win in Georgia is attributed largely to support from Black voters, a group Harris hopes to energize in the upcoming election.
Michigan
a state that has voted for the winning presidential candidate in the last two elections, has become symbolic of backlash over Biden’s support for Israel. With the largest Arab American population in the country, Michigan voters are divided over US policy on Israel and Gaza, with some activists hoping Harris will adopt a more sympathetic stance towards Gaza.
Nevada
traditionally Democratic, is showing signs of shifting Republican. Trump has narrowed the gap in polling, and both campaigns are vying for support from the state’s significant Latino population. Despite economic recovery across the US, Nevada continues to struggle with high unemployment, which could influence voter sentiment.
Pennsylvania
a state Biden won in 2020, remains critical to the election. Economic issues, particularly inflation, are top concerns for voters. Rising costs, including grocery prices, have hit the state hard, leading to discontent that Harris will need to address if she hopes to win over voters.
Wisconsin
another decisive state, has seen a push by third party candidates that could sway the outcome. Polling suggests that independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. could impact the vote tally for either Harris or Trump. The state hosted the Republican National Convention, highlighting its importance in the race, while Harris was in Milwaukee when she received the Democratic nomination.
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