Rudolph Angler As Election Day approaches, the end is near in a heated US presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Over 68 million Americans have already voted, reflecting the high stakes and intense interest in one of the most unpredictable races in recent memory.
Throughout the campaign, Trump has gained support from voters’ economic concerns, which have remained central to the race. Initially, this presented a significant challenge for Democrats when President Joe Biden was the presumptive nominee, despite his administration’s post-pandemic job growth and low unemployment rates. Inflation, however, has driven considerable voter unease, as wage gains have struggled to keep up with rising prices, affecting the finances of millions of Americans.
After Biden stepped aside in July, Harris took up the Democratic mantle, immediately addressing inflation concerns by promising to combat price gouging and introducing an economic plan tailored to ease household costs. Her approach narrowed the gap with Trump, and the race remains a virtual tie as both candidates make their final appeals to voters.
Swing States Remain a Key Focus
Harris’s path to the required 270 electoral votes hinges on winning traditional Democratic states and securing critical battlegrounds like Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District. These three Midwestern states, traditionally part of the “blue wall,” had reliably supported Democratic presidential nominees from 1992 to 2012 before flipping to Trump in 2016. Trump’s gains with working-class and independent voters in these areas proved essential to his success, though Biden reclaimed them narrowly in 2020. Harris has heavily campaigned here, knowing strong results will be crucial against Trump’s strength in other areas.
Tight Race in the Sun Belt
Trump is seen as competitive in Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina, but Harris’s appeal to younger and minority voters has made these states close. Democratic voter engagement in these Sun Belt states has kept the race competitive. Though early voting shows Republicans leading in Nevada, the final outcome will depend on Election Day turnout and remaining mail-in ballots. The economy and immigration are top issues here, favoring Trump; however, Harris has gained traction on the economy and resonates strongly with voters on abortion rights, democracy, and middle-class support.
Historic Gender Gap Emerges
With Harris as the nominee and the potential for America’s first female president, the country may witness a record-setting gender gap. Abortion rights have driven significant female support for Harris. Since the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, abortion policy has shifted to state control, leaving millions in restrictive states. In the final days, Harris has underscored her stance on abortion, an issue that also benefited Democrats in the 2022 midterms.
Trump, meanwhile, has targeted male voters through popular conservative podcasts and has shown appeal to younger Black and Latino men. A recent New York Times/Siena College poll revealed the impact of this gender divide: Trump leads Harris among men by 14 points, while Harris is ahead among women by 12 points. The poll shows the race in a dead heat, with each candidate holding 48% support overall.