US Presidential Election 2024 coverage: The United States on Tuesday will vote to elect its 47th President in what is shaping up to be a historic and fiercely contested race between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic leader Kamala Harris. The battle between Vice President Harris, 60, and former President Trump, 78, is anticipated to be one of the closest in recent decades, latest opinion polls predict. Independent voters are likely to play a critical role in deciding the next occupant of the White House.
To secure victory, a candidate must win 270 electoral college votes. Polls suggest that the outcome will hinge on the results in seven key battleground states: Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia. Among these, Michigan and Pennsylvania are especially crucial for reaching the 270-mark. The race appears to be heading for a nail-biting finish, with final polling by The New York Times and Siena College shows Harris gaining ground in North Carolina and Georgia, while Trump has narrowed her lead in Pennsylvania and maintained his advantage in Arizona. According to the polls, Harris now holds a slight lead in Nevada, North Carolina, and Wisconsin, while Trump leads in Arizona.