New Delhi: As the US presidential election approaches, opinion polls show a tightly contested race, with no clear frontrunner. Both candidates, former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, and Democratic nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris, are focusing heavily on battleground states, pouring almost all their resources into these key areas ahead of the November 5 vote.
In recent statements, Trump has hinted at his reluctance to have left the White House in 2020, sparking concerns over whether he would accept the election outcome if he loses. He also reiterated unproven claims of potential voter fraud in swing states, intensifying his rhetoric by suggesting that he “wouldn’t mind” if journalists were targeted.
Polls show Harris narrowly leading
As the race tightens, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Harris with a slim one-point lead over Trump, standing at 44% to 43%. However, the poll’s margin of error is around three percentage points. The survey, which included 1,150 adults nationwide and 975 registered voters, found Trump leading Harris on several key issues considered vital by voters.
Record early voting numbers
As of now, over 77.3 million Americans have cast their ballots early, surpassing half of the total votes from the 2020 election. North Carolina, a critical battleground state, set a new early voting record, with the state’s Board of Elections confirming that more than 4.2 million votes have been cast. Voter turnout in areas impacted by Hurricane Helene, especially in the western counties, has been high.
Intense battle in battleground states
Both candidates are intensifying their campaigns in critical battleground states, where polls show a razor-thin margin. A final New York Times/Siena poll showed minimal shifts in these states, but all seven remain within the margin of error. Trump has been holding rallies in states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia, while Harris is focusing on Michigan—a state that Trump won in 2016 but Biden reclaimed in 2020. Meanwhile, a recent Des Moines Register poll, considered a strong predictor of broader sentiment, showed Harris taking the lead in Iowa, a state Trump previously won with ease. Analysts predict that the candidate who secures at least four of the seven contested states will likely win the presidency.
Trump questions 2020 election results again
During a rally in Pennsylvania on Sunday, Trump once again questioned the 2020 election process, saying he “shouldn’t have left” the White House. After the 2020 results, Trump repeatedly claimed voter fraud and pursued scores of unsuccessful court challenges. In his recent speech, Trump also criticised the current administration’s immigration policies, claiming that border security was stronger under his leadership.
After surviving two assassination attempts earlier this year, Trump joked about the “fake news” media, saying, “I don’t mind if someone had to shoot through the fake news to get to me.” Referring to the bulletproof glass surrounding him at events, he commented on a gap in his protective setup, seemingly brushing off potential threats.
