With just 12 days until the November 5 presidential election, the United States finds itself at a critical juncture that will shape the nation’s direction for the next four years.
The race for the White House is shaping up to be one of the most closely contested and decisive in recent history, with over 28 million people having already voted early in more than 30 states.
The high voter turnout reflects not only widespread interest but also the political polarization that characterizes this election.
U.S. Elections: The Battleground States
Candidates are focusing their efforts on the so-called battleground states, where the margins are razor-thin and could determine the outcome of the election.
These states, including Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, and Arizona, are seen as crucial in the race for the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the presidency.
In Nevada and Wisconsin, Harris holds a narrow lead, with less than a 1% difference. However, Trump has a slight advantage in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, and Arizona, with margins ranging from 1% to 2%.
Michigan remains tightly contested, with Harris barely ahead. The close competition in these states underscores the importance of every vote and the potential impact of voter mobilization in the final days of the campaign.
Last-Minute Strategies: Intensified Campaigns in Key States
With early voting underway and turnout on the rise, both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are fine-tuning their strategies to maximize their reach in the most contested states.
Harris has ramped up her campaign in Georgia, a state that gained national political significance after leaning Democratic in 2020.
To strengthen her message, she has enlisted the support of former Barack Obama and musician Bruce Springsteen, who have participated in events aimed at engaging young voters and minorities, two key demographic groups for the Democratic coalition.
During one event, Springsteen did not hesitate to criticize Trump, stating that “Donald Trump is running to become an American tyrant.”
Additionally, Beyoncé, a prominent Democratic supporter, is expected to join Harris at an event in Texas, her home state, on Friday.
This is not the first time the “Cowboy Carter” singer has shown support for the vice president, as she has previously endorsed Harris’s candidacy and even allowed her song “Freedom” to be used as an unofficial campaign anthem, reinforcing the message of civil rights and equality.
Meanwhile, Trump has concentrated his efforts in Western states such as Arizona and Nevada, where Republicans see an opportunity to regain ground.
His recent rallies have emphasized issues like security, immigration, and border control, aiming to energize his base and attract undecided voters concerned about these topics.
In his latest speech in Duluth, Georgia, he reiterated his promise to launch “the largest deportation program in U.S. history” if re-elected, a proposal aimed at appealing to his more conservative electorate.
The Role of Misinformation and Election Integrity
The context of this election is not without challenges regarding public trust and the online reputation of the electoral process.
In Colorado, concerns about electoral fraud have gained more attention following the sentencing of Tina Peters, the former Mesa County clerk, who was sentenced to nine years in prison for orchestrating a data theft scheme.
Peters allowed a man to illegally access the county’s electoral system using a security card, fueling unfounded theories of fraud involving vote-counting machines during the 2020 presidential election.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Peters, who was once seen as a “hero” by those alleging fraud, sought to gain notoriety and became obsessed with conspiracy theories promoted by figures like Mike Lindell, CEO of My Pillow.
Judge Matthew Barrett, while delivering the sentence, did not hold back in criticizing Peters for her lack of responsibility, accusing her of abusing her position and repeating debunked claims about the electoral system.
“I am convinced you would do it again if you could. You are not a hero. You abused your position and are a charlatan,” the judge declared, underscoring the severity of her actions.
These incidents highlight the importance of control mechanisms to ensure secure elections and the need for constant vigilance to prevent manipulation and mitigate the reputational damage such practices can cause.
The Polls: A Shifting Landscape
Throughout the campaign, Harris has maintained a slight lead over Trump in national polling averages, according to the BBC.
She currently stands at 48% support compared to 46% for the former president. However, the gap has narrowed considerably in recent days.
Although Harris saw a surge in polling numbers after entering the race in July and maintained a lead of up to four percentage points by the end of August, the margins have tightened since the September 10 debate, which was watched by nearly 70 million people.
This shift in trends reflects a volatile electorate and an increasingly close race.
Polls conducted by the BBC indicate that battleground states, in particular, are showing constant fluctuations. Neither candidate has a definitive advantage, and mobilizing voters in the remaining days will be crucial to tipping the balance in states like Pennsylvania and Georgia, where the margins are extremely tight.
Undecided voters and early voting turnout levels could be decisive in determining the winner.
The Political Context: Two Contrasting Visions
The 2024 election represents a direct confrontation between two starkly different visions for the future of the United States.
On one side, Kamala Harris has adopted an approach focused on unity and defending voting rights, prioritizing the need to protect democracy amid growing polarization.
As a potential first female president of the U.S., Harris has sought to consolidate a diverse base, focusing on inclusion and progressive social policies.
In this regard, she has incorporated elements of neuromarketing into her strategy to emotionally connect with voters and strengthen her message of change.
On the other hand, Donald Trump has built his campaign around a “law and order” rhetoric, focusing on border security, immigration control, and fighting crime.
His proposal for a massive deportation program has gained support in some sectors but has also sparked criticism due to the estimated $20 billion cost to deport just one million undocumented immigrants, according to a CBS News analysis.
The feasibility of deporting the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country remains questionable.
What Could the Outcome Mean for the Country’s Future?
The election of the next president will not only determine the leadership in the White House but also shape the country’s direction at a time of deep division.
The possibility of Kamala Harris becoming the first female president in U.S. history represents a significant step forward in terms of gender representation, while a second term for Trump could signal a return to more conservative policies and a dramatic shift in areas such as immigration and trade.
Uncertainty and anticipation dominate the political atmosphere as the countdown to November 5 continues.
The key for both candidates will be to maximize voter mobilization in the battleground states and keep the focus on issues that resonate with the electorate.
The coming days will be decisive, and the United States may be on the verge of writing a new chapter in its history.