More than 1.4 million people have already cast their votes in the upcoming presidential election, with both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump maintaining a close race as they travel across the country in the final stages of their campaign. The vice-presidential candidates, JD Vance and Tim Walz, also participated in a debate this week, which initial polls have indicated was a draw and did not significantly impact the overall race.
Harris has seen an increase in her national polling average, reaching her highest point since July. While she is currently leading in five out of seven swing states, the overall race remains extremely tight, with both candidates having nearly equal chances of winning. According to the latest data, Harris holds 49.3% of the national vote, compared to Trump’s 46%.
Early voting has already begun, with over 1.4 million Americans having voted as of midday Friday. Despite Harris maintaining a slight lead, the numbers have yet to reflect the impact of the vice-presidential debate. The key to winning the presidency lies in securing battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, where Harris is leading in the polls but not by a significant margin.
In states like Nevada, North Carolina, Georgia, and Arizona, the race between Harris and Trump remains very close, with no candidate holding a significant advantage. Trump has shown strong support among Hispanic voters in Arizona, where he leads Harris by a small margin. This trend may be attributed to his gains among Hispanic voters in the previous election cycle, despite initial expectations of a backlash due to his anti-immigration rhetoric.
Recent polls have indicated that a majority of voters believe Harris will win the election, showing a shift in perception since August in her favor. Additionally, while Trump still leads in terms of handling the economy, voters are evenly split on who would be better at controlling inflation, with Harris gaining ground on this issue. This suggests that Harris’s messaging on the economy is resonating with voters and that Trump’s attempts to link her to rising costs may not be as effective as he had hoped.
