Swing states have always played an essential role in the presidential election. Their population’s support for the major political parties is so close in number, it is rarely guaranteed which party will earn their electoral college vote. With this year’s election being one for the history books, many experts are looking closely at the voter turnout and support in these areas. This is because, if the states vote blue, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris might have a good chance to become the first female president in the United States. Alternatively, if they swing red, Republican candidate Donald Trump would be the second president in history to win an election after losing a previous re-election campaign.
The seven swing states that experts are looking closely at this year are Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, all of which come with their own number of electoral college votes, but have the potential to decide how the next four years will look for Americans.
Arizona
Arizona has 11 out of 538 electoral college votes and voted blue overall in the 2020 presidential election. Major topics of importance in this state are immigration because of its closeness to the North America-Mexico border, as well as abortion access, which the state is reportedly still split on. According to a poll by the New York Times and Siena College, Trump is currently leading in Arizona with 4% above Harris.
Nevada
Nevada adds six out of 538 electoral college votes and voted blue in the previous election. In fact, the state has consistently voted blue for the past few elections, giving Democrats a closer push to the white house. The state’s people are paying close attention to the candidates’ plans for the economy, as they have had the slowest post-covid recovery than any state. The same poll by the New York Times and Siena College shows that Harris is currently leading with 3% above Trump.
Georgia
Georgia brings 16 out of 538 electoral college votes. In the previous election, it voted blue as well and was one of the states that charged Trump with election interference. The state’s black population played a significant role in helping President Biden get elected, and similarly, the poll shows them supporting Harris 1% more than Trump.
Michigan
Michigan has 15 out of 538 electoral college votes and voted blue in the last election cycle. Of major importance to its residents is the war in Gaza and how the new president would address the conflict. According to the BBC, the state has the country’s largest population of Arab-Americans who wish for the candidates to have a sympathetic approach to Palestine. Currently, the poll shows both Trump and Harris tying in this state.
North Carolina
North Carolina carries 16 out of 538 electoral college votes, but unlike the other states, it voted red in the previous election. Voters’ top concerns include the economy, immigration, and inflation. Despite its strong Republican population, the New York Times poll shows Harris leading by 2% more than Trump.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin brings 10 out of 538 electoral college votes. In the previous election, it voted blue, but this year Trump is hopeful. The former president has stated previously that he wants to win Wisconsin because if he does, to him that means he’ll win “the whole thing.” Just winning the one state, however, is not enough to guarantee his success, and currently, the poll shows Harris dominating 2% more than him.
Pennsylvania
With the most leverage of all the swing states, Pennsylvania holds 19 out of 538 electoral college votes. Though it voted blue in the previous election, many are concerned with how close the race appears to be in the state this year. A large concern for Pennsylvanians is the rise in inflation and how that has affected the cost of living. It seems as though they have yet to be fully swayed as the poll shows that both candidates are currently tied.
Voters can research the candidates’ policies and their impacts, and vote today, as it is the last day to submit a ballot.
