Publish: 09:25, 03 Nov, 2024 Updated: 10:05, 03 Nov, 2024

Seven swing states set to decide the 2024 US election

Online Desk
Seven swing states set to decide the 2024 US election
Photo - Collected

US Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump are hurtling toward their Tuesday’s presidency election showdown, one of the closest contests in modern American history, reports BSS.

And in the handful of critical states framing the 2024 race, there is little daylight between the rivals with barely a week before Election Day.

Under the US Constitution, America’s founding fathers established that each of the 50 states would hold its own vote for president.

Under the complex Electoral College system, each state has a certain number of "electors," based on population. Most states have a winner-take-all system that awards all electors to whoever wins the popular vote.

With candidates needing 270 of the 538 electoral votes to win, elections tend to be decided in the hotly contested “swing states” with a history of alternating between Republican and Democratic candidates.

This year, there are seven such battlegrounds, and every one is a toss-up within the margin of error. Here is a look:

Pennsylvania (19 Electoral College votes)

Pennsylvania was once reliably Democratic, but these days, they don’t come much tighter than the Keystone State.

Republican Trump won the most populous battleground, with 13 million residents, by 0.7 percentage points in 2016. Joe Biden claimed it by 1.2 percentage points in 2020.

Known for its “Rust Belt” cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has been blighted for decades by the steady decline of its industrial manufacturing base.

Trump and Harris have campaigned repeatedly in the eastern state, where the pair held their one and only presidential debate. Trump who survived an assassination attempt at a July rally in Pennsylvania is courting the rural white population and warning that migrants are overwhelming small towns.

Harris is touting recent infrastructure wins, and in Pittsburgh she outlined plans to invest $100 billion in manufacturing, a key issue for state residents.

Georgia (16)

This southeastern state was an election flashpoint at the end of Trump's first term, and the controversy simmers.

Prosecutors in Georgia indicted Trump in an election interference case after he called state officials urging them to "find" enough votes to overturn Biden's narrow 2020 victory.

But in a boost for Trump, the case is paused until after the election.

Biden was the first Democrat to win the Peach State since 1992. Demographic changes are likely to benefit Harris, who has courted minority voters across Georgia.

North Carolina (16)

The southeastern state has voted Democratic only once since 1980, but Harris believes it's back in play.

The population, now over 10 million, is expanding and growing more diverse, benefiting Democrats.

Complicating matters for Trump, a scandal involving the state's Republican gubernatorial candidate has infuriated party officials who worry it could sink Trump in a close race.

As in neighboring Georgia, one wild card is how the devastation from storm Helene, which recently laid waste to towns in western North Carolina, might impact the vote.

Michigan (15)

Trump flipped Michigan, a former Democratic stronghold, on his way to defeating Hillary Clinton in 2016.

Biden returned it to the blue column in 2020, buoyed by unionized workers and a large Black community.

But this time, Harris risks losing the support of a 200,000-strong Arab-American community that has denounced Biden's -- and by extension her -- handling of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Arizona (11)

The Grand Canyon state was among 2020's tightest races, with Biden triumphing by just 10,457 votes.

Trump hopes frustrations over the Biden-Harris administration's immigration policy will swing Arizona, which shares a border with Mexico, back in his favor.

Harris visited Arizona's border in September vowing to crack down on migration and work on reviving last year's bipartisan border bill, which she said Trump "tanked" for political purposes.

Wisconsin (10)

Clinton lost Wisconsin after giving the state a wide berth during the 2016 campaign.

As with Midwestern neighbor Michigan, it was a different story when Trump's opponent was Biden, who turned a 23,000-vote deficit into a winning margin of 21,000 for Democrats.

Trump considers it winnable, and his party held its summer national convention there.

While Trump led early against Biden, Harris has made the state race a nailbiter.

Nevada (6)

The Silver State, with a population of 3.1 million, hasn't voted Republican since 2004. Conservatives, buoyed by Trump's headway with Hispanic voters, are convinced they can flip the script.

Trump held a significant lead here against Biden.

But within weeks of becoming the Democratic nominee, Harris -- promoting her economic plans to help small businesses and combat inflation -- has erased that advantage in the western state, whose largest city Las Vegas is dominated by the hospitality industry.

Bd-Pratidin English/ Afsar Munna

More News
Key points of the $300 billion climate deal
Key points of the $300 billion climate deal
Calls grow to save Thailand's free medicine policy
Calls grow to save Thailand's free medicine policy
Iranian destroyer’s missile capacity quadrupled
Iranian destroyer’s missile capacity quadrupled
Indian 'rebel' Muslim princess who shot tigers and drove Rolls-Royce
Indian 'rebel' Muslim princess who shot tigers and drove Rolls-Royce
82 killed in three days in sectarian clashes in Pakistan: Officials
82 killed in three days in sectarian clashes in Pakistan: Officials
Pakistan partially stops mobile and internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest
Pakistan partially stops mobile and internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest
Israel cracks down on Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza
Israel cracks down on Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza
Canada apologizes to indigenous group for sled dogs killing
Canada apologizes to indigenous group for sled dogs killing
Afghan women turn to entrepreneurship under Taliban
Afghan women turn to entrepreneurship under Taliban
Man killed after gunfire near Israeli embassy in Jordan: Media
Man killed after gunfire near Israeli embassy in Jordan: Media
A $300B a year deal for climate cash at UN summit sparks outrage
A $300B a year deal for climate cash at UN summit sparks outrage
Israeli attacks in central Beirut kill 20
Israeli attacks in central Beirut kill 20
Latest News
Govt thinking of deploying retired traffic polices to control congestion
Govt thinking of deploying retired traffic polices to control congestion

48 seconds ago | City

Students demonstrate in front of DNMCH over alleged medical negligence
Students demonstrate in front of DNMCH over alleged medical negligence

1 minute ago | City

Turkey Ambassador meets Mirza Fakhrul
Turkey Ambassador meets Mirza Fakhrul

16 minutes ago | National

Want to gift nation a free, fair and acceptable election: CEC
Want to gift nation a free, fair and acceptable election: CEC

19 minutes ago | National

Dismissed employees of S Alam-owned banks block roads in Chattogram
Dismissed employees of S Alam-owned banks block roads in Chattogram

23 minutes ago | City

Is COVID-19 an antidote to cancer?
Is COVID-19 an antidote to cancer?

26 minutes ago | Tech

Tarique Rahman acquitted in explosives case
Tarique Rahman acquitted in explosives case

29 minutes ago | National

Indefinite transport strike in Benapole reaches day 2
Indefinite transport strike in Benapole reaches day 2

36 minutes ago | National

Key points of the $300 billion climate deal
Key points of the $300 billion climate deal

48 minutes ago | International

Calls grow to save Thailand's free medicine policy
Calls grow to save Thailand's free medicine policy

1 hour ago | International

Iranian destroyer’s missile capacity quadrupled
Iranian destroyer’s missile capacity quadrupled

1 hour ago | International

Deadline for government employees to submit asset declarations extended
Deadline for government employees to submit asset declarations extended

1 hour ago | National

AI-based warning system installed to monitor movement of wild elephants
AI-based warning system installed to monitor movement of wild elephants

1 hour ago | Tech

BNP’s Farroque warns against election delay amid rising chaos
BNP’s Farroque warns against election delay amid rising chaos

1 hour ago | National

Indian 'rebel' Muslim princess who shot tigers and drove Rolls-Royce
Indian 'rebel' Muslim princess who shot tigers and drove Rolls-Royce

1 hour ago | International

Extinct Bharardaho Beel becomes sanctuary for birds, fish, animals
Extinct Bharardaho Beel becomes sanctuary for birds, fish, animals

1 hour ago | City

Police initiate probe into passenger harassment incidents at HSIA
Police initiate probe into passenger harassment incidents at HSIA

1 hour ago | City

PSC announces key reforms in BCS recruitment process
PSC announces key reforms in BCS recruitment process

1 hour ago | National

BIDA chief encourages Chinese investors to explore opportunities in post-US election era
BIDA chief encourages Chinese investors to explore opportunities in post-US election era

1 hour ago | Economy

82 killed in three days in sectarian clashes in Pakistan: Officials
82 killed in three days in sectarian clashes in Pakistan: Officials

1 hour ago | International

Battery-run vehicle workers postpone protests after police assurances
Battery-run vehicle workers postpone protests after police assurances

2 hours ago | City

Low pressure area intensifies into well-marked low over Bay
Low pressure area intensifies into well-marked low over Bay

2 hours ago | National

Pakistan partially stops mobile and internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest
Pakistan partially stops mobile and internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest

2 hours ago | International

3 KNF militants killed in army operation in Bandarban
3 KNF militants killed in army operation in Bandarban

2 hours ago | National

Seven including 5 of a family burnt in Mirpur
Seven including 5 of a family burnt in Mirpur

2 hours ago | City

'July Anirban’ documentary sparks emotional reactions
'July Anirban’ documentary sparks emotional reactions

2 hours ago | Showbiz

ACC identifies corrupt institutions and individuals
ACC identifies corrupt institutions and individuals

2 hours ago | National

Money launderers thrived under Sheikh family’s backing
Money launderers thrived under Sheikh family’s backing

2 hours ago | Economy

CEC, 4 ECs sworn in
CEC, 4 ECs sworn in

2 hours ago | National

Bigg Boss 18: Salman Khan confronts Rajat Dalal for threatening contestants on the show
Bigg Boss 18: Salman Khan confronts Rajat Dalal for threatening contestants on the show

2 hours ago | Showbiz

Most Read
Warnings of a looming crisis during Ramadan
Warnings of a looming crisis during Ramadan

4 hours ago | Special

Make sure no innocent person to be harassed: IGP
Make sure no innocent person to be harassed: IGP

20 hours ago | National

Plots will increase if elections are delayed: Tarique Rahman
Plots will increase if elections are delayed: Tarique Rahman

23 hours ago | National

ACC identifies corrupt institutions and individuals
ACC identifies corrupt institutions and individuals

2 hours ago | National

Revision petition seeks cancellation of bail and remand for 6 Transcom officials
Revision petition seeks cancellation of bail and remand for 6 Transcom officials

4 hours ago | National

Who will account for the 17 lakh crores of smuggled funds?
Who will account for the 17 lakh crores of smuggled funds?

4 hours ago | Special

Paharia language keyboard launched
Paharia language keyboard launched

22 hours ago | City

Fashion show by Indian slum children is wowing world
Fashion show by Indian slum children is wowing world

21 hours ago | Showbiz

Gold jewelry valued at Tk 3.8 million seized in Chuadanga
Gold jewelry valued at Tk 3.8 million seized in Chuadanga

23 hours ago | City

'Tarique Rahman’s leadership was unique in mass uprising'
'Tarique Rahman’s leadership was unique in mass uprising'

23 hours ago | National

Long-term plan needed for Rohingya repatriation: Foreign Affairs Advisor
Long-term plan needed for Rohingya repatriation: Foreign Affairs Advisor

22 hours ago | National

DoE runs cleanliness drive and awareness campaigns in Barisal
DoE runs cleanliness drive and awareness campaigns in Barisal

22 hours ago | National

Dengue claims 10 more lives
Dengue claims 10 more lives

23 hours ago | National

Electing President through direct votes under consideration
Electing President through direct votes under consideration

22 hours ago | National

Purging operation in the Cabinet Division
Purging operation in the Cabinet Division

7 hours ago | Special

3 women footballers accorded grand reception in Rangamati for winning SAFF Championship
3 women footballers accorded grand reception in Rangamati for winning SAFF Championship

23 hours ago | Sports

Sonakshi Sinha shares her love story, recalls being the first to say "I Love You" to Zaheer Iqbal
Sonakshi Sinha shares her love story, recalls being the first to say "I Love You" to Zaheer Iqbal

23 hours ago | Showbiz

Bangladesh records highest premature birth among 103 nations
Bangladesh records highest premature birth among 103 nations

6 hours ago | Lifestyle

Gold price hiked by Tk2,823 per bhori
Gold price hiked by Tk2,823 per bhori

20 hours ago | Economy

7 palli bidyut officials suspended
7 palli bidyut officials suspended

5 hours ago | National

Perpetrators must be brought to justice
Perpetrators must be brought to justice

4 hours ago | Special

475 killed in 452 road accidents in October
475 killed in 452 road accidents in October

19 hours ago | National

No need to call me 'sir'; I am your brother: Nahid
No need to call me 'sir'; I am your brother: Nahid

5 hours ago | National

Experts say digital clutter affects mental health, productivity
Experts say digital clutter affects mental health, productivity

21 hours ago | Lifestyle

CEC, 4 ECs sworn in
CEC, 4 ECs sworn in

2 hours ago | National

Astronauts Sunita, Butch suffer from food crisis in Space
Astronauts Sunita, Butch suffer from food crisis in Space

20 hours ago | Tech

BCB set to launch NCL T20 to hone local players' skill
BCB set to launch NCL T20 to hone local players' skill

19 hours ago | Sports

New submarines to join Iran’s navy fleet
New submarines to join Iran’s navy fleet

18 hours ago | International

Israeli attacks in central Beirut kill 20
Israeli attacks in central Beirut kill 20

7 hours ago | International

Ex-chief Justice Ruhul Amin passes away
Ex-chief Justice Ruhul Amin passes away

6 hours ago | National